They Left Sunday. Today, they Came Back Different.

For years now, we've partnered with Star Rock Ministries to send our youth to summer camp. For many of them, it's the first time they've ever been away from home for more than a day or two. It's the first time they've had space to slow down and encounter God outside of everyday life. That kind of opportunity isn't something every kid gets. But every year, we watch what happens when they do.

Like Manuel. He used to come to Unidos (hesitantly) because his mom made him. He was getting in trouble at school and struggled with social anxiety. Then his mom fell ill, and everything in his world shifted. He started trying his best to behave, to help her, to be someone she could lean on. One day he saw us playing pickleball and rolled up on his scooter to join in. Since then he hasn’t missed a day of youth programs. At camp this year, Manuel was the one who got to pray over our last meal together.

Stories like his don't happen by accident. They happen because kids like Manuel have people around them; leaders like Wendy, who spent the week walking campers through conflict and guiding them toward Jesus. Leaders like Orlando, who finished a 5-week discipleship class and took a week off work to led a cabin of six boys. At camp, he got his certificate, but more than that, he helped kids open up about things they'd never told anyone, and pointed them toward Christ.

And then there's Kaylee. This year she turned 17 at camp and for the third year in a row, she chose to spend her birthday with us instead of celebrating at home. That says something about what this place means to her. During her birthday, she still shared her ice cream with her whole cabin, and when we offered to serve everyone so she could just enjoy her day, she said, 'No, I want to serve them.' That's the kind of heart camp brings out.

Every kid who came home from camp this year came home a little different. A little more sure of who they are, and Whose they are.

Maritza Rebollar

Youth Director