For over a decade, I've been blessed enough to be able to spend one week per year at the most amazing place in the world: summer camp. While some friends share memories their summer camps — kayaking, food fights, camper pranks — what comes to my mind when I think about camp is the intense spiritual journey that can occur in one week, and the growing relationship between counselors, campers, and God.

I just got back from counseling a junior high camp at Camp Caz. Caz has an intense following, probably due to the fact that once you're touched by the intense love and devoted community of Caz, it's hard not to return. As a counselor, my favorite part of camp is seeing the transformation of individual youth as they are empowered through themselves and their relationship with God. One camper this year touched my heartstrings through her week-long journey. While I've changed her name, her story remains as I saw it.

When Sarah arrived at camp, she didn't say a thing. I greeted her at the registration table and got her and her friend checked in. We trekked their things to the cabin, Sarah's friend chatting away while Sarah lurked a few steps behind us. That night she had little to share before bed, and I began to wonder if she was naturally shy, or uncomfortable in a new environment.

The next day we talked about creation and community. We shared the kind of community we would like to see in camp, and how each person can contribute to the creation of such a community. We talked about respect, acceptance, and love. Sarah's eyes widened. She shared that it took her and her mom a long while to find a church community that would love and accept their family. With a lesbian mother, her partner, and adopted children, their family was not what many may consider "traditional" but they still sought a church community. I think it was that night that Sarah began to think that the Caz community could also be a safe space for her on her own spiritual path.

In the middle of the week Sarah read the daily scripture to the entire camp. Speaking in a loud, confident voice, I barely recognized the silent girl from the first day. She was making new friends, sharing more stories, and encouraging the other campers to listen for God's voice in their lives. On the last day of camp, Sarah announced confidently that she was going to return the next year, and that she wanted to be a counselor in the future. She strived to show to everyone at camp the same endless love that she had come to know throughout the week.

Sarah taught me an important lesson that week. She taught me that I have to be vocal about my beliefs everywhere I go. There are so many people in the world who don't know that there is a loving, safe space for them in the church. If I use my most powerful tool — my voice — I might be able to give people the confidence and security to continue their relationship with God despite obstacles they may face. Not everyone is fortunate enough to be able to spend a week at Camp Caz, but I am fortunate enough to carry my camp tools with me everywhere I go — in my heart. I will sing out the values that I preach at camp, and I will let the world know that a safe and loving community is always available.