Finding Purpose

I was first impacted by Birch Bay Ranch in the summer of 2000 when my parents dropped me off for a week of summer camp. I remember only a few select moments from that week, but I distinctly remember the chapels and the love my cabin leader showed us all. Even at that age I remember a girl in our cabin who could have easily been left out because she had some behaviour issues, but our cabin leader loved every single one of us equally.

I visited several other camps over the next couple years, but couldn’t stop thinking about my time at Birch Bay, and when I was 13 I insisted my parents send me back. Although I had become a Christian at a relatively young age, my week at teen camp taught me a lot about how to grow in my faith and about learning on a daily basis when I got home. 

I have been on staff for the last 6 years and each summer I learn so much more about myself and God. Each year I grow better at listening to God’s voice and knowing what following him truly means. By sharing my faith with children and teens I have had to struggle with why I believe what I believe and now I am strongly rooted in my faith. Many of my friends from outside camp haven’t had to analyze their faith the way I have had to, and have found their faith crumbling under the pressure of university and life beyond high school. For that I am ever thankful to my time at Birch Bay. I can stand strong when faced with temptation, and beliefs that do not match what is taught in the Bible!

Also the friendships developed at Birch Bay create a strong Christian community surrounding the staff and campers. It is a community of love, accountability, and continual mentorship. In the past few years I have been dealing with a number of issues in my life and I know that no matter what I have dozens of friends who are willing to listen, give advice, and a shoulder to cry on. A lot of campers and staff do not have another Christian community or church where they can receive this support, and for them Birch Bay is an invaluable resource.

For me specifically, Birch Bay has given the opportunity to explore my passions and determine my vocational future. I have loved horses from a young age but my family couldn’t afford horseback riding lessons when I was a child. Birch Bay allowed me to spend time with my favourite animal and learn how to ride them. As staff, I spent most of my time hanging out around the barn. I learned about daily care, nutrition, and health. I also had the opportunity to share my knowledge with children, whose parents also may not be able to afford lessons. The smiles of pure joy on their faces when they learn something new, gives me purpose and gives me strength to continue every day! I am now studying large animal agriculture in university and hope to someday continue caring for God’s creation and sharing my knowledge with children around Alberta. Without Birch Bay, I would not have had a chance to explore this passion, and may not have discovered a career path that beings me so much joy.

Birch Bay affects the lives of thousands of people in a variety of different ways, and I feel like we would be doing a disservice to the next generation by closing its doors. The camp still has a beating heart and the ability to touch so many more lives and bring them closer to Christ.

Lynda Forsyth