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LOST AND FOUND AT CAMP
Summer camp is a childhood rite of passage. For Levi, it was a pathway to eternal life.
Imposing trees, rugged paths, and multiple two-story cabins with triangular-shaped roofs dot the property that’s home to Black Lake Bible Camp in Olympia, Washington. Its mission is to “proclaim the truth of the Gospel,” particularly to young people.
Levi has been to camp a couple of times. It feels like home to him, as he loves the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing.
But much like pulling a rod out of the water without a fish on the line, Levi knew something had been missing in his life. He soon realized the God-shaped hole in his heart could only be filled by Jesus.
“I just feel like [Jesus is] going to make me whole in life,” Levi says.
HAPPY AND LOVED
Levi is part of a large, blended family and lives with his mom in Tacoma, Washington. In a city surrounded by water with plenty of parks and beaches to explore, it’s no surprise that Levi enjoys the great outdoors. He’s also active in karate and likes studying history, especially that of his home state.
The journey to Black Lake doesn’t take Levi far from home, both literally and figuratively. Tacoma is only 45 minutes from Black Lake, and the camp is the perfect place for a 13-year-old who wants to have one foot in the woods and the other in the lake.
Levi is one of many kids who have gathered at Black Lake over the past 80 years. What started as a campground with a kitchen and dining hall built soon after World War II has grown into a spot with cabin and dorm-style sleeping options.
Levi first arrived at camp in 2023 through Eagle Outreach Ministries, an organization that sends children of incarcerated parents to camp through Angel Tree® camping. Once he arrived at Black Lake, Levi was hooked. The people he met stood out to him the most.
“Most of them are really nice,” Levi explains. “They make me feel happy and loved.”
Levi was in a room with seven other boys during his stay at camp in 2024, but he had no problem getting to know them.
“It [was] really easy to make friends,” he says.
HELPING HAND
Cabin leaders play an integral role in a camper’s time at Black Lake. College-age young adults are assigned a group of kids and spend countless hours with them during the week.
Most days, campers and cabin leaders spend about three hours total in chapel, or as it’s known at Black Lake, “tab,” short for tabernacle. Tab was a new experience for Levi, as he hadn’t ever gone to church with his family. But over his time at camp, he learned about Jesus through worship and Gospel-centered messages.
“They play some good songs that warm your heart, and they talk about Jesus and the Bible,” Levi says.
Levi’s heart was moved by all of that. The prayers impacted him, as well, but that’s where he was stuck and unsure on how to proceed.
Levi’s cabin leader Noche stepped in, and they talked. Levi said he didn’t know how to pray. Noche explained to Levi what it meant to pray to God. Noche then asked Levi if he had ever prayed to accept Jesus as his personal Savior.
That’s when it clicked for Levi: God had been working in his heart this whole time. All the songs, messages, prayers, and cabin discussions were leading Levi to a saving knowledge of Jesus.
Levi knew it was time to make a life-changing decision.
“I just wanted to accept God,” Levi says. “It’s something that I’ve wanted to do for a while.”
PERSONALITY SHIFT
“Who is that kid?” Levi’s mother, Stephanie, has asked that question a lot lately. Levi’s time at camp has blown her away, especially when it comes to the change in his attitude.
“He’s been listening the first time I ask him to do something,” Stephanie says. “In fact, it surprises me every time still.”
Levi knows his newfound faith is making a difference in his life.
“I feel like I’ve been a better person,” he says. “I’ve been more happy, and I’ve been a lot nicer.”
Levi credits camp for giving him a sense of community and joy, which hasn’t gone unnoticed by those around him.
“He is a lot happier,” his mom Stephanie says. “His whole personality shifted for him.”
Levi is navigating middle school as a new believer, but he has surrounded himself with some friends who are Christian. He wants to dive further into his faith, and he knows there’s one thing that will help him do that.
“I want to try getting enrolled in church,” he explains.
“I feel like I’ve been a better person. I’ve been more happy, and I’ve been a lot nicer.”
—Levi
MOVING FORWARD
While Levi is clear-eyed about what it means to follow Jesus, he’s less clear about his future plans in life. He is thinking about a number of different career fields, including law enforcement.
For now, Levi is focused on continuing to make new friends at school and going to piers in Tacoma to fish for squid. He’s also excited about going to camp for as long as he can. He’s able to attend thanks to generous donors who fund scholarships so kids can attend at little or no cost. Levi is forever grateful to those who make camp possible for him and others.
“I would say that they should keep helping because it’s really nice,” he says. “[It makes] a really big impact.”
Levi is a testament to the difference camp makes in the life of a young person. He believes kids his age should spend time at a Christian summer camp like Black Lake so they can hear the Gospel just like he did.
“If they haven’t already accepted Jesus Christ into their life, I feel like that would really make them a whole lot better person,” he says. “I feel like it would have a really big impact on their life.”
Thanks to his time at camp, Levi knows the One who gave him life. But why did a 13-year-old make such a momentous decision to follow Jesus? Levi’s answer is simple.
“You are nothing without God,” he says.
ANGEL TREE CAMPING
Angel Tree camping is a chance for children of incarcerated parents to get away from their daily challenges and have fun in the great outdoors, making new friends and meeting caring adult counselors. At Angel Tree partner camps like Black Lake Bible Camp, children encounter the love of Jesus and discover hope for the future.