CRANDALL GOES CAMPING DR. ROBERT KNOWLES ('89) SITS DOWN WITH MEMBERS OF CRANDALL UNIVERSITY'S CAMP TEAM TO FOLLOW UP ON THEIR SUMMER TOUR.
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his summer, Crandall University sent a ministry team of five students to nine Christian camps throughout the Maritimes including Camp Shiktehawk, Camp Pagweak, Greenhill Lake Camp, Caton’s Island, Camp Seggie, Kingswood Camp, Camp Wildwood, Bayside Camp, and Camp Tulakadik. The team’s job was to spend the summer providing live worship for the camps, since many rely on pre-recorded worship music out of ease and convenience and tend to lack a personal worship experience. The initiative was not only a great way for some of our Worship Apprenticeship students to gain some real-life worship and ministry experience, but also to introduce camp staff and campers to Crandall University. Recently, Crandall University Vice President for Advancement Dr. Robert Knowles, sat down with members of the team to discuss their summer on the road. Robert Knowles (RK): So, out of all the jobs that you could have applied for this summer, why did you choose the Camp Team for your summer job? Benjamin Wilson (BW), BBA '24: I chose this job because I loved the idea of working at different summer camps around the Maritimes and serving in whatever way I could. This desire for a "Christian Adventure" of sorts started at the beginning of 2023 and I was blessed that my desire was fulfilled in this position.
Rebekah Swanson (RS), BBA ‘23, BEd '25: This job was provided by God when I was not sure what other job options I would have this summer. I was thankful to not only be offered a job, but to also be offered one that sounded interesting and beneficial to me and my faith. RK: That’s great! I’m glad that you were both excited to take on the role. It sounds like there were most likely plenty of memories made, but what would you say were some of your best memories from the experience? BW: Some of my best memories were seeing the Holy Spirit work in the lives of the campers and spending time with my teammates! I also had the opportunity to be a camp pastor for a week, which showed me how God can use me to do amazing things! RS: I cherish star gazing on a lake dock and singing around a campfire, those are the memories that taught me to love camp. I also really enjoyed just playing music with my wonderful team members and worshiping God with a different community of amazing people each week. RK: Both of your answers seem to involve the social and community aspect of camp and your team, how would you say your experience was as a group in terms of chemistry, team building, and playing to each other’s strengths? BW: I felt like God put the best possible group together for this adventure! We worked really well together and are now great friends as a result of this ministry. RS: The experience I had with this particular group was definitely one of my favourite parts of the summer. I was able to build wonderful, godly relationships with the people I worked with, and it was so beneficial to learn how to live and work closely with people who may do things differently than I do. I have no doubt that God put the team together because our strengths and weaknesses complimented each other
