It is difficult to put into words the work of the Holy Spirit, the sense of community, love, and life transforming experiences here at Camp Mikell.

For generations, people have been coming to Mikell. Many of these people have left Mikell for ordained ministry, lay ministry, and with changed views of life and God. Something else that comes to mind is the number of people who have met their future spouse and the life long friendships that are formed here.

Why does this happen? We believe that it is because people are known authentically here. People can be themselves, experience love, learn about responsibility in a community, learn acceptance of themselves and others, and experience the love of God. This is powerful stuff. Mikell takes conscious steps to rapidly and deeply develop community each week.

The permanent staff, summer staff, counselors, Deans and their staff and nurse all strive to help the young people here learn to love themselves and each other more deeply. When we welcome the campers on that first evening, we have them look around the room and try to find someone there just like them. Of course, there isn’t anyone in the room as special as each of our campers.

We try to instill in them that they are truly a gift from God, and if they weren’t here with us, we would all suffer because of it. Each child is special in their own way, and each child is charged to step out and share themselves with the group for the week.

We can’t begin to tell you what it means to, the staff, and counselors for a child to come to camp and then get it – the love, the self-assurance, the connection, the Mikell Magic.