Unlike Any Other Place

Camp Nathanael’s model of ministry, discipleship and leadership development reflects the way the Apostle Paul developed leaders. In Acts and in Paul’s letters we read about a continual flow of coworkers, companions and fellow travelers. He modeled ministry for them, drew them into his work, and gave them genuine leadership responsibilities. Certainly he was preparing them in formal ways, but also by simply living life together. Paul challenged Timothy to do the same when he said “…the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others.” (2 Timothy 2.2) And Jesus taught his followers in the same way.

This happens continually at Nathanael. Moment by moment, year by year, and even generationally. At any given time during a day at camp we see staff members in mentor meetings with noncoms, experienced noncoms demonstrating skills to newer noncoms, cabin leaders modeling leadership for assistant cabin leaders, Legacy noncom candidates leading training sessions for other noncoms, morning devotions in the gazebo led by staff and then by noncoms themselves. The examples would fill this page. It’s a model of training and discipleship that is Biblical, shapes lives and builds strong leaders.

We’ve seen the impact across generations. My years as a noncom and staff member at Nathanael shaped me and set the course of my life. Several of our current board members were noncoms and staff members. Each summer we have lay counselors who were formerly noncoms who come back and build into the lives of current noncoms. Former noncoms and staff who bring their sons to father-son camps share their stories and offer counsel. All of this summer’s program staff members were noncoms who brought that training and preparation into their roles as leaders at camp.

Of course, the fruit of our investment in leadership development is the finest Christian camp for boys in the Upper Midwest. Parents frequently tell us that their sons’ connections with noncoms were the highlight of their week at camp.  Campers respect, admire and follow noncoms who offer their time, friendship and guidance. So the modeling, training and discipleship extends to campers, as well, continuing to flesh out Paul’s guidance to Timothy.

The wife of a former noncom/staff member offered this encouragement:

Nathanael is a safe, structured, yet fun environment where boys can be themselves and learn about Godly manhood. Years of this Camp Nathanael experience helped my husband become the amazing, Godly man he is today. Being real with other boys, learning many skills and most importantly, growing in faith, gave a depth to my husband's character that cannot be found often in our world today. Now I have the joy of watching him pass this legacy to our sons.

A Trail of Evidence

Our theme verse for 2015 was Acts 4.13: When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. 

Peter stood and spoke. The result? These powerful Jewish leaders were astonished. They saw Peter and John’s courage. And they knew this depth of conviction and character didn’t come from a privileged background or advanced education. They attributed the quality they saw in Peter and John’s lives to the fact that they had been with Jesus.

The incident that started this ordeal for Peter and John was that they had healed a man. They were careful to give the credit to Jesus Christ, of course. The Jewish leaders could not deny the evidence. The man was healed. The question we considered at the start of our summer season was what would be the evidence resulting from our ministry this summer? Every day during camp, in every role, we make choices. We leave a trail of evidence.  Our challenge is to be sure the evidence shows that we “have been with Jesus.”

The evidence from our summer of ministry is clear. Boys found Jesus. Boys watched noncoms demonstrate what it means to live a life sold out for Jesus Christ. Night after night following campfire there were quiet conversations in every corner of the dining hall. Those were spiritual conversations where campers asked questions and our leaders responded with God-directed wisdom.

Our theme verse says that folks took note that Peter and John had been with Jesus. The question we asked on the first training back in June was, “How can you be sure people know that you’ve been with Jesus?” The answer is…be with Jesus. People will know.

“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” Acts 4.13

We’ve just concluded another summer of adventure and growth for hundreds of boys and young men, as well as dozens of dads and sons. We were blessed with a very positive spirit in camp this summer. Campers were fully engaged with learning new skills, playing all-camp adventure games, doing activities with their cabin groups, and studying the life of Peter during our Bible Exploration times.

Our staff and noncoms displayed commitment and competence as they led the program and guided campers’ experiences. Our theme verse for the summer, quoted above, served as a direct challenge to noncoms and staff to make it clear through their life and words that they have been with Jesus. And it was clear.

One of the most exciting parts of the day is looking around the dining hall following evening campfire and seeing four or five campers sitting one-on-one with noncoms having significant spiritual conversations. That’s the culmination of the teaching and modeling that happens throughout each day.

Camp Nathanael offers a great Christ-centered adventure for boys. Our campers and parents appreciate our commitment to raising up young men to be Christ-following leaders for his kingdom. And a week at Nathanael is a great value, financially. So even though attendance this summer was down about seven percent compared to 2014, we’re optimistic about Camp Nathanael’s future and the potential for growth.

Our best advertising is word of mouth referrals and recommendations. Since, as a friend of Nathanael you understand and appreciate this ministry we’d be grateful if you would tell the people in your sphere of influence about us. As always, we welcome your insights and feedback. And if the ministry at Nathanael has had an impact on your life or on the life of someone close to you, we’d love to hear about that, too.

Anticipation

People look forward to lots of different things, whether it’s Christmas or a birthday or a visit from family and friends. At Nathanael we’re anticipating many good things, too! Spring is our time of greatest anticipation. There is a long list of things we begin looking forward to when the days get a little longer and the sun a little warmer.

Camper registrations are arriving daily so we know there are already dozens of boys (and dads) who are anticipating a great week at camp. Hundreds more will sign up over the next few months. Soon more than 500 campers will be ready and waiting; that’s a lot of anticipation going on.

And we love getting camp ready for them! We spend hundreds of hours each spring “waking camp up” from it’s winter slumber. This year we’re sprucing up the dining hall with all new windows, and new doors on the east end. The dining hall will also get a new roof, and we’re adding a porch roof along the south side of the building to provide some shade and shelter. Also new this summer is our 9-hole disc golf course. The course was finished just in time for MANCamp last September, so this will be its inaugural season.

Trail Biking Base Camp is the newest addition to our adventure trips. Following some orientation and instruction at camp, these campers will head out to some of Minnesota’s mountain biking areas, including Cuyuna Country State Recreation area. Guys entering grades nine and up are eligible.

We’re always on the edge of our seats wondering what this year’s noncom team will look like. We’re in the midst of recruiting our summer leadership team. We’re receiving applications from the high school guys who will serve as new and returning noncoms. What unique personalities and abilities will they bring, and how will those things contribute to Nathanael’s ministry this summer? They’re going to make a huge impact on hundreds of boys, so this recruiting process is vital.

We’re also assembling our program staff leadership team, including the positions of Assistant Director, Program Director, Resource Director, Waterfront Director, Maintenance Director and Quartermaster. In addition to their specific areas of responsibility this group trains, coaches and mentors the noncoms. So it’s important that they have a heart not only for camp in general, but specifically for the development of high school aged young men. As Director, I greatly look forward to sharing the leadership of camp with this group every summer.

We’d love for you get in on the anticipation and excitement. There are many ways you can connect with Nathanael and lend a hand. Spread the word about camp to your friends, come and help on a work day, pray often for Nathanael, or help provide the financial support we need to sustain this exciting and impactful ministry. We’re always happy to connect with you about the possibilities.

A Word to Our 2014 Leadership Team

Camp Nathanael’s mission is to raise up young men to be Christ-following leaders for his kingdom. Our noncoms are the focus of this mission, and our program staff members are the ones who carry it forward. Nathanael’s ministry to boys through our summer camps is the crucible in which this leadership laboratory functions. Surrounding all of this is a circle of administrative and support staff who provide the setting in which this mission takes place.

To find out how well this is working, each summer we survey families after their camper returns home. I want to share some of the amazing comments we received from parents this summer:

• Our son loved Camp Nathanael and hasn't stopped talking about since we picked him up. He loved Chas and Nathan, he loved the activities, he enjoyed being away from home, he loved the Bible study times and nearly everything about camp.
• What a wonderful gift to be able to experience Camp Nathanael together with my son, and with brothers-in-the-Lord and their boys. Such great shared memories and adventures. I was so glad for Jonah to "see" older boys/young men (noncoms, staff) who are serving God and having fun at it.
• Camp Nathanael is such a positive experience for young boys! The growth each year in faith, self-reliance, self-awareness, the bonding with friends, and great memories make for a wonderful experience! The variety and types of activities offered are amazing. This is a chance for boys to unplug and be boys for a week. It is fabulous! The counselors are wonderful too. The staff is so easy to work with.
• Our boys and their friends had an amazing time at camp this year. As always they come home stronger in their faith and exhausted. I love how much they love camp!
• One son had an excellent time on the North Shore. And our son back at Battalion Camp enjoyed the games and noncoms that guided their group.
• He hasn't stopped taking about it. He absolutely loved every aspect.
• He loves it! The games, how rugged it is and how people are friendly there. That he can be himself and not worry about anything.
• He absolutely loves the camp. VERY positive experience, the activities, the staff, everything is great
• Our boys choose this camp over ever other camp option...every summer. They love it!
•  My Son had a great time. He talked about his cabin leader, and said he was awesome.
• My boys LOVE camp Nathanael. They look forward to going each year and have made lasting friendships with boys who tend to go the same week they do.
• My son loves coming up and the variety in what he can do during free time. The noncoms are fantastic and do a good job.
• He cannot stop talking about it. It was a wonderful experience for him and he feels more confident and validated as a person.
• He has gone for 2 years now. Wonderful experience both times. He has come back with tremendous enthusiasm for developing his walk with the Lord. Skipped playing video games last night to work on verse memorization. I was stunned and thrilled.
• Made new friends. Liked the noncoms in his Navajo cabin. He is considering being a volunteer in the future.
• This is one of the best experiences for my son. He comes home feeling so fantastic about himself.
• He talked about his cabin leader, then songs, then all the activities he did. He talked for about a week non-stop.
• My oldest wanted a New Testament from the store before we left and has been finding Bible verses he likes since. He also wanted a cross necklace which he has worn daily since we got back.
• He talked a lot about the people, especially his counselor and the other staff.
• Being part of the "Camp Community.” He loved being at camp with his brothers and I loved how the noncoms welcomed him
• He talked about the awesome noncoms.
• He liked sailing. His instructor was so encouraging to him.
• Being at camp for Father/Son is amazing. As a dad I appreciated the opportunity to connect with my Son. The morning devotion time was great. I had prepared some topics to spend time on with him and it made it a really rich discussion. This year the noncoms were great as well. I loved how they supported us as dads, but still engaged with the kids by playing games, etc. It is encouraging to know that my son can be surrounded by guys he can look up to at camp.
• I was thoroughly impressed with the character, heart and faithfulness of the staff and noncoms.
• I have experience at YMCA camps, and other church sponsored camps, which were all good, but Camp Nathanael outshined them in the quality of staff and the atmosphere. I would encourage anyone to bring their son here.
• The noncoms’ involvement was fantastic. The boys really respond well to them and they are a great example.This is a one of a kind, invaluable experience to help broaden the interests of boys on their way to manhood. Camp Nathanael knows a boy's "sweet-spots" and offers them opportunities to experience the things that draw out their inborn interests. And all of it is couched in developing a relationship with Christ.
• My son came back so excited about camp after his first week away from home this week. He definitely plans to go back next year. His first evening home he was "camp sick" (opposite of homesick).
• I can't speak highly enough of the camp and our 12 year old son's experience. He had so much fun and came back so enthused about growing in his walk with God. It is fantastic to see!
• Camp Nathanael has been an awesome experience for my son. The boost to his self-esteem is immeasurable!
• I was impressed with the leadership of the young men at Camp Nathanael. Their dedication to God and their work while having a great time together is a blessing for my son to experience.

By responding to God’s call on your life to be involved at Nathanael this year, you made all of this happen. When we ask people how they first heard about Camp Nathanael, by far the most common answer is that they heard about it from a friend. That “word of mouth” advertising is precious to us. But it only works if the camper has an amazing experience that he wants to tell others about. Because of you, all of these campers had an adventure that they will talk to their friends about.

More importantly, the Lord did his work in the lives of these campers because they came to camp and because you were great leaders and role models. Thank you!

Mark Watkins

Executive Director

Ready to Follow, Ready to Lead: A Word to the 2013 Leadership Team

Among other things, Nathanael is about leadership. Our mission is to raise up young men to be Christ-following leaders for the Kingdom. Nathanael has been doing that for more than 50 years. Hundreds of men point to their Nathanael experience as the foundation of their life of leadership. Wherever they lead now, they look back at Nathanael as the laboratory where they learned and practiced leadership.

You are a leader. You can point to many influences in your life that have contributed to your growth. And now, with one or more seasons at camp under your belt, Nathanael has contributed to your growth, too, probably in a significant way. You have studied leadership. You’ve talked about leadership. You’ve practiced leadership. Dozens of campers, along with fellow noncoms and staff have observed your leadership and learned from it. You’re a leader and there’s no going back.

The flip side of leadership is following. We’re all required to be followers in some aspects of our lives. First, of course, we follow Christ. But we follow in other areas of our lives, too. No matter what your position is in ministry, work or life in general you will have leaders whose direction you are asked to follow. Now that you’ve tasted leadership you also know some new things about what makes a great follower.

I want to say three things about being a leader, and three things about being a follower.

About being a leader:

1)   Lead like Jesus. Jesus was a servant-leader. He has changed the lives of millions by being the ultimate servant. Be like that.

2)   Be a man worth following.  Commit yourself to living a life of Christ-like integrity. Do people speak well of you? Determine to be the kind of man people think you are.

3)   Leadership is a gift. A spiritual one. God has given it to you to use for his purposes.

About being a follower:

1)   Follow Christ first.

2)   Be careful who else you follow. Be careful who you allow to influence your life and who you model yourself after. Choose your mentors wisely.

3)   Once you commit to following, be faithful.

Lives were changed this summer. Dozens of them. Your leadership made that happen. Thanks.

Mark Watkins

Executive Director