Working at camp for the first time is wild in the best way, so go in ready to learn, ready to stretch, and ready to grow. Camp is one ministry that gives you the space to shape your own identity, and for me, it helped me discover what truly mattered. I found my calling to ministry at camp, and leaning into God’s voice during those long, loud, messy, joy-filled days changed my life. I built lifelong friendships, planted seeds for God’s kingdom, and felt the impact of the work every single day. The best advice I can give is to be yourself fully, freely, and unapologetically. Let the kid in you show up and don’t be afraid to be different. Remember that campers don’t want perfection; they want people who are real, joyful, and present with them. Use this summer to learn something new about yourself, because camp has a way of surprising you in the best ways.

Camp is also a vulnerable place for kids, who are in a new environment trying to break through the “new kid” feeling. Make sure no child feels left out. Show up for them, listen to them, and love them well because you never know how one week can reshape a child’s life.

At camp, the smallest moments often become the biggest miracles.

Lt. Jalicia Smalley, Youngstown, Ohio

What if all my friends are farther along in life than me?

Feeling like your friends are ahead in life is more common than you may think! It can be so easy to want to look around at what our friends, family, or even total strangers have and measure and compare it with our own life, especially when social media shows us highlight reels of someone’s life and not the whole picture. 

But comparison is the thief of joy.

The constant desire to focus on what others have or where they’re at in life will only lead to feelings of inadequacy and unhappiness in your own. The Bible tells us in Galatians 6:4, “Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.” In this verse, Paul reminds us that we shouldn’t compare ourselves to others, but rather, examine ourselves and our own work because then and only then will we be able to truly enjoy what God is accomplishing through each of us. 

The purpose God has for your life is not going to look the same as that of your friend next to you. Continue to run your race with peace and gratitude, knowing that everyone’s journey and timing is going to look different.

Lt. Shania Mhasvi, Atlanta, GA

The Salvation Army is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. An officer in The Salvation Army is an ordained minister of Christian faith. They dedicate their lives, skills and service completely to God. Submit your question to an officer at peermag.org/contribute.