In unity, we share God’s love by bringing the joy of camp to a child. Together, we create a place of laughter, healing, and hope, where every child can experience the blessing of community and the joy that comes from Christ’s love.

Each summer, Hat Creek Camp becomes more than just a destination. It becomes a refuge. For many of the children who arrive, life has not been easy. They carry stories marked by uncertainty, loss, or instability. But when they step onto the campgrounds, something begins to shift. Walls slowly come down. Smiles begin to form. And in the safety of caring relationships, kids are reminded that they are seen, valued, and deeply loved.

Camp is filled with the moments you might expect: games, laughter, late-night conversations, and the simple joy of being a kid. But beneath those moments, something deeper is happening. Trust is being rebuilt. Confidence is growing. Seeds of hope are being planted in hearts that may have felt forgotten.

None of this happens by accident. It’s made possible through a community of staff and volunteers who show up with open hands and willing hearts. They serve not just with energy, but with intentionality, meeting each child where they are and walking alongside them with patience and care. It’s a powerful picture of what happens when people come together in unity, committed to reflecting God’s love.

Sometimes, that unity is tested in unexpected ways.

This summer, one of our counselors, Kerri, had to leave camp unexpectedly on the very first Sunday after arrival due to a family tragedy. It was a heartbreaking moment for her and for the team. But even as she stepped away, she remained connected, staying in close contact and holding onto the hope that she would return when the time was right.

After two and a half weeks, that moment finally came.

On the morning of her return, Kerri texted FIVE18 camp counselor Hayley to say she would arrive at camp by 9:30 a.m. Just minutes later, the sky split open—lightning flashed, thunder shook the windows, and a powerful storm swept through the area. As the rain poured down, anticipation quickly turned to concern. Had Kerri made it safely?

A phone call brought both clarity and a new obstacle: fallen trees had blocked the only road into camp. Kerri was close, but unable to get through.

Without hesitation, Hayley headed out to assess the situation and found Leah, another counselor, already on the phone with Kerri. Together, they made a decision that reflected the heart of camp: they would go get her.

They drove through heavy rain with limited visibility, unsure of what they’d find ahead. As they went, they prayed out loud, repeating the name of Jesus and holding on to what they had been reminded of the night before: that even in difficult moments, He is present and at work.

When they reached the massive tree blocking the road, they didn’t hesitate. Jumping out into the storm, rain soaking them instantly, they crossed to the other side of the tree. There, they found Kerri safely in her car. They gathered her belongings and carefully made the return trip to camp.

 The storm was still teeming outside as they made their way back to camp, but inside the car, there was peace, relief, gratitude, and big smiles. They were together again, safe and whole.

It’s a moment that captures something essential about Hat Creek Camp. Yes, it’s a place of fun and laughter. But it’s also a place where faith is lived out in tangible ways. Where people show up for one another. Where obstacles, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, are met with courage, prayer, and community.

For the campers watching, these moments matter. They see what it looks like to care deeply. To persevere. To trust God even when circumstances feel overwhelming. These lived experiences speak louder than any lesson ever could.

At Hat Creek Camp, every child is invited into something bigger than themselves. They are welcomed into a community where they belong, where they are encouraged, and where they can begin to imagine a future filled with hope.

And it all starts with a simple, powerful truth: when we come together in unity, sharing God’s love, lives are changed.

Because here, in the middle of laughter, storms, and everything in between, hope is not just something we talk about—it’s something we live.