The Summer of a Lifetime

Mary Rose, a WinShape summer staffer, testing her archery skills at Target Trail.

Summer may be over, but the memories we’ve all made will stick with us for years. Me? I’m still fondly thinking of the wonderful times I had spending my summer in Georgia at WinShape Camps for Families. From ziplines to drawing sidewalk chalk to lots of chicken sandwiches, I got to feel like a kid again during my last summer break.

For those unfamiliar with WinShape, the camp was started in 1985 by S. Truett Cathy, who founded Chick-Fil-A. Cathy and his wife made a trip to Berry College, a private institution in Rome, Georgia, and picked a parcel of land to build a Christian camp. While I was at the college for my staff training, I remember one of the speakers recalling that Cathy’s wife looked at where the camp stands now and saying, “We’re standing on holy ground.” Being a part of that 41^st summer staff, in a room with about 800 people, I was blown away at the story.

Since the 1980s, the camp has only grown, offering a variety of camps both around Georgia and across the country through their WinShape Camps for Communities. They offer both boys and girls camps, some of them day camps, while others are overnight camps. And six years ago, they started WinShape Camps for Families. 

Also known as Family Camp, this camp is unique compared to the other camps that WinShape offers because parents, guardians, and even grandparents can be present. Through either Mini or Full-Week Sessions, families can come and take time to bond at the scenic spot of Cohutta Springs, Georgia, secluded on the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains and be surrounded by a beautiful lake. Families of varying numbers of kids and ages came together to experience and learn more about Christ throughout the summer.

I remember the first day I arrived at Berry College’s campus for Staff Training. I had driven by myself for over 500 miles, and I knew absolutely no one. After getting checked in, I had gone to my car and called my mom, saying, “I feel like I’m at my first day of college again.” In that moment, I was discouraged, thinking that I wouldn’t make friends easily. 

I was wrong. In that first week of Staff Training, I got to meet the people I’d be spending my summer with. I quickly learned that college students just like me had come to serve from all over the country… literally from coast to coast. Learning more about these people, I quickly felt like I fit in. The Family Camp staff instantly felt like a really big family of 50 people.

WinShape Family Camp staff taking a "family photo" at WinShape 2026 Staff Training at Berry College in Rome, GA.

And… just as I was getting to know everybody, I had to leave for almost two weeks to go on a study abroad trip for my GL320 (Global Awareness class) to the United Kingdom. While I was having fun galivanting across England and Scotland, that same doubt that had struck my first day was sneaking back in. They’re all bonding without you. I was a little worried that my friendships wouldn’t be as strong because I had missed the crucial time of pre-camp, where everyone came together to set everything up for the families.

Once back on home soil, I remember being in the Uber arriving at my home for the summer. Riding up the hill to a small peninsula in rural Georgia, I was astonished at the beauty that surrounded me once I got to the top. “This place is beautiful.” My Uber driver remarked, and I agreed. I had arrived in the middle of the first session, which was a bit intimidating. I don’t know what I’m doing. I’m so behind. Those doubtful thoughts were back. However, looking back, it’s important to realize that it was everyone’s first week, no matter how many years people had been on staff.

That first afternoon, I remember sitting back and learning how to make paper rockets, one of the crafts that I would end up teaching children a lot throughout the summer. That first afternoon, I quickly realized that while I was behind, I was well-supported by my student team leader, the full-time staff, and all of the other summer staff, too. Over the next few days, my coworkers took the time to ask me how my trip went. That showed me how much these people care for others, remembering the little things about each other and checking up on them.

It’s that support and love that continued throughout the entire summer. There were times that were tough for some of my peers, but it was incredible to watch everyone else rally together and keep things going. My coworkers worked so hard to make every family’s experience great through all nine sessions we hosted. Looking back, it gives me hope that there are genuine people that would sacrifice their time and effort to help you feel supported, especially in your time of need. 

A group of 2026 Family Camp summer staff coming together to celebrate a coworker's birthday with a pinata.

My coworkers were also there for me in my times of need. As an introvert, sometimes it was difficult for me to process my emotions by myself like I’m used to at home. Also, when you live around the same group of people for weeks on end, they’re going to see all sides of you, including the bad ones. In my moments of struggle, instead of being judged, I was supported. Even in my happy, silly moments, I felt like I could truly be myself without judgement. 

Whether you believe in God or not, finding love and support through every mountain and every valley is important. For me, the holy ground is where you’re standing with Jesus and the wonderful people He puts in your life. Despite all the fun activities I did this summer, it was the people that stood beside me at WinShape Camps for Families that made it the summer of a lifetime.