July 14-20 was an amazing week for St. John's at Camp Joy! Summer 2024 marked the return of St. John's to Camp Joy after the pandemic, and it was, hands-down, an incredible experience.
Abiding in the theme of Camp Joy 2024—"built together to become a dwelling place where God lives" (Ephesians 2:22)—our group of 14 youth served four different local homeowners, who all embraced our presence with stories and thanks—and sometimes ice cream! We built (or rebuilt) their decks, replaced stairs, drilled screws, attached hundreds of balusters, dug footings for paving stones, and more. During some of the hottest days of the summer, St. John's youth and adults stayed hydrated, built new friendships, and learned new skills, including carpentry, cubing, and camping. Evening vespers was a highlight, as we learned to groove to the tune "Pharaoh, Pharaoh," and explored the theme of service.