Pine Cove Reflections by mentor, Jesse Dax

The sound of tires crunching over the gravel as the bus pulled up into the camp mixed with the yelling, cheering, stomping, pounding of the Pine Cove counselors.  Right then I instantly knew this was going to be an amazing week for the kids of West Dallas.

Summer camp at Pine Cove Outback was an intensive time of encouragement and accomplishment for our West Dallas campers with everything wrapped in the Gospel.  The Pine Cove Staff served with such encouraging hearts throughout the entire week, where it was a balmy 97 degrees everyday!  Nevertheless from the time we arrived on the bus to the time we left, the counselors were yelling cheers, giving words of encouragement, and even shedding tears with them.  Energy levels were kept high all day long boosted by counselors leading cheers before meals and performing skits and stories at lunch. 

All the campers had a chance to participate in engaging activities like basketball, dodgeball, swimming, archery, ziplines, rock-climbing, and more.  For some campers, just seeing how many stars were in the night sky was something new and worth taking the time to stop and look at.

A pivotal element of camp was the daily time of worship and bible study.  While the high schoolers woke up early for an extra bible study in the morning, all campers had a time of bible study after lunch with additional worship and bible study every night.  The Mercy Street staff delivered several outstanding messages of what it means to follow God, what Christ has done for us, and how to be a servant leader.  By the end of camp, it was inspiring to see how these kids had changed.  What stuck with me the most was seeing them drop their guard a bit, singing during worship with arms wrapped around the shoulders of the person next to them.

On the night before we left, the high school students stayed up late to have s’mores around a campfire.  This was a time of spontaneous song and fun -- definitely with no shortage of songs!  At the end of the night, there was a time of reflection with the campers and many heartfelt words poured out.  “I have learned how truly selfish I am.” “Mercy Street is a great place and is helping us change West Dallas.”  “I have been mad at God for the last two years for taking away my friend” followed by tears then hugs from others to show support.

Before we left, all campers had a chance to share what they learned throughout the week and again so many wonderful comments. “I know that God has a plan for me.” “I know better what it looks like to be a leader.” “I learned that God is in control of my life.”

I wish I could say that when we got back to Mercy Street all the kids’ parents were there, excited to see them again, telling them how much they missed them and asking them all about camp.  But in reality that was not the case for all of them.  Many family members were there to take the kids home, but for some nobody was there.  Those that had noone show up all made it home by Mercy Street staff or walked if they were close enough.  But it hurt my heart to see two brothers from the dorm I was partnered with have nobody show up for them after they were gone an entire week. They had to abruptly reenter the life they were able to put on pause while at camp.  The older brother, only in middle school, helped his younger brother gather their luggage as they started walking a couple of blocks home to their apartment.  Watching this, I wished camp could go on forever for many of them, as some wanted, but I thank God for Mercy Street and Pine Cove and how He is using them to show His love.  The next time you see your mentee ask them, How was archery? What was your counselor like? What did you do during free time? What did you learn?  You may be the only one that does.