Another year of Special Friends Camp has come and gone, and I am left to reflect on the week. My mind is immediately drawn to the fact that, once again, the immense successes far outweigh any difficulties that were encountered. We had several new campers and counselors who fit, almost instantly, into the “Special Friends family”. Everyone had a great time participating in the many fun activities that Camp Copneconic was able to offer. As usual bowling, horseback riding, and the talent show were the favorites of the week. Campers and counselors alike were moved and inspired by the songs and stories of “Jesus Time”. At first glance, it seems like “business as usual” for Special Friends Camp. But when I allow myself to look deeper at the camp experience, I find myself examining what I got out of camp this year. When I chose the theme for the 2008 Special Friends Camp, I chose it simply for its practicality. Ephesians 6:13-16 discusses Paul’s command that we “put on the full armor of God”. It seemed like a good fit for camp: each day we talk about a different piece of armor and how to apply it to our lives. As I began to write each day’s lesson I became concerned. The “armor of God” is a fairly abstract concept; maybe too abstract for camp. Would the campers understand what Paul meant when he commanded us to put on the armor of the Lord? As the week progressed, my concern turned into awe and appreciation. Not only did the campers understand the “armor of God” in its most basic form, but they displayed it in almost everything they did. To the campers the “sandals of peace” meant comforting a fellow camper who was scared during the pontoon boat ride. The “shield of faith” meant that we could trust God to protect us through the brief, but extremely loud, thunderstorm one evening, or to help a friend feel better on a hot day. Most importantly, the “helmet of salvation” meant simply that no matter what happens in our lives, we can take comfort in the knowledge that Jesus died and rose to save us from our sins. Not only did the campers understand the “armor of God”, they practiced in such a clear and visible way that even people from other camps took notice. Because of the example set by the campers, I left camp physically exhausted but undeniably spiritually renewed. Once again I find myself wondering who gets more out of Special Friends Camp: the campers or the people who work with them?