John Vandervelde - Program Director   

There really is no official first-day-of-summer here at HoneyRock.  For some, summer starts the first day winter programming ends.  For others summer starts when the first campers arrive on June 21.  I suppose the start of summer depends on which area of camp you are in.  For me, today officially marks the first day of summer - the Unit Leader Team has arrived!  Over the past week we've had a handful of our summer staff arrive and the excitement for the official "summer is here" feeling has been building in my heart and mind.  But today is special because it marks the day our Unit Leader team begins their summer of ministry.  Throughout the day yesterday, and into the evening, this group of 10 Wheaton College students, or recent Wheaton Graduates, made their way to camp and moved into their housing.  They were all at breakfast this morning and they are heading out for a 4 day wilderness trip today. 

The Unit Leader Team is a special group of people.  Working with Dan Elsen, they serve as leaders for our Summer Leadership School (SLS).  This summer we have 64 SLS students who will be learning how to be ministry leaders and will then serve as camp counselors for our Residential and Advance Camp programs.  Each Unit Leader will serve as a mentor, coach, teacher, and guide of a unit of 8 SLS students.  While camp is in session the Unit Leader team is in charge of nearly every aspect of camp and making sure our program runs smooth and is effective in the lives of young people.  Unit Leaders have a big job! 

I ask that you join with us in praying for this amazing Unit Leader team that God has assembled for this summer.  Pray for Rachel, Joanna, Robin, Christie, Julie, Jeremy, Dave, Marty, Sam, and Tyler.  We thank God for their service and for bringing us a team of great leaders and we pray that they will have a powerful summer of service!