The "Face" Of Our Future. What Is Happening To Our Youth?

Have you ever wondered what is happening to today's youth?  Whether you are a parent, a grandparent or have no children at all, surely this question, and the distressing answer, has crossed your mind.

Before you get too discouraged, I want you to picture this.... 70 youth and young adults, all between the ages of 15 and 28, both males and females.  For the whole summer this year they won't be hanging out with their friends.  They won't be laying on the beach soaking up the sun.  They won't be playing video games or vegging out in front of the television.  They won't be going to parties.  They won't be working part time jobs to make some extra spending money.  And they won't be going on the family summer vacation.  Instead, they will voluntarily give up their entire summer.  They will spend 6 days a week (Monday through Saturday - even the Lord needed to rest on Sunday!) for 8 weeks, 24 hours a day with children they don't even know.  The children range from 3rd graders to 12th graders.  They will minister to them, walk alongside them, encourage them and mentor them.  They will also play games with them, hike with them, laugh with them, cry with them, care for them in all aspects (making sure they are fed, rested, safe, etc).  And of course, they will worship Christ with them.  

At a beautiful retreat in the mountains of North Carolina you will find this loving, caring, few and far between devoted group of counselors.  They come from all over the South East, leaving their friends and family back home to be with these children each summer.  Although some are counselors for the first time this summer, most of them have been doing this for years. (Oh, and did I mention that the counselors only make about $50 a week!)

Each Monday morning the counselors prepare for a new group of children who come from as close as North Carolina, and as far as Miami, Florida and Pennsylvania.  During the week they will have jam packed days of fun and fellowship.  One of the week's highlights is an event called the Slop-a-roo where they get to lather each other in shaving cream from head to toe.  They then proceed to jump in the lake to wash it off.  It may sound a little foolish to some, but it's all part of building friendships and having fun.  Each Saturday the counselors say goodbye to their kids, children who they have come to love and cherish throughout the week, but whom some of them they will keep in touch with for a lifetime.  On Sunday they attend church together, do their own laundry, clean the cabins and spend a little down time before the choas begins again the next day.  On Monday, they prepare to welcome another group of 200+ campers who will swarm the retreat, and who are filled with excitement and tons of energy to spare!

It can be strongly debated who comes out of this experience on the better end of the deal, the counselors or the campers?  And you may ask, why in the world would a young person give up their free time, their whole summer, to be around a bunch of kids?  But if you were to spend some time with these talented, giving young guys and girls (as I was able to do this weekend), the answer would be very clear ~ The love of Christ.  

So the next time you wonder what the heck is happening to today's youth, don't lose heart.  Think of this group and be inspired.  Our future is in good hands!