Brooke’s journey with Camp Asbury began in the summer of 2022, introduced by the Wilke family— family friends, and past subjects of newsletter stories. It was Rachel Wilke who first mentioned this excellent opportunity, and from that moment, Brooke was determined to experience camp for herself. When Brooke first arrived at Camp Asbury, she was surprised by the wide range of activities but found herself especially drawn to campfires and the much-anticipated skit night.
A self-proclaimed introvert and homebody, Brooke came to camp with a clear goal: to step out of her comfort zone. “I wanted an experience that made me want to get outside and do more out-of-pocket things,” she shared. For her first summer, Brooke joined the Night Owls program, where campers and staff sleep in yurts at Adventure Base. It is a program that is designed to immerse campers in God’s Creation, “Night Owls threw me in the deep end, but it was the perfect way to push me outside my comfort zone.” While the variety of activities amazed her, skit night remained a highlight. “You get to see the truth in people because we’re all coming up with creative ideas, expressing them, and having fun—even when we make mistakes.”
Throughout her time at camp, Brooke found she grew most through Bible Studies and discussion around the campfire. Communing in nature, she felt the most connected to God, saying how peaceful it is to learn about God surrounded by creation in community.
Reflecting on her time at camp, Brooke acknowledges how much it has shaped her and how transformative it truly was for her, “Camp changed me a lot. It provided me with new opportunities, gave me new friends and experiences, and opened my mind to things I want to do in the future.” One experience that stood out was CIT (Counselor-in-Training) week. “It taught me to approach situations and problems differently, to step back, regulate myself, and focus on giving love and care to those who need it.” For Brooke, Camp Asbury radiates love, joy, and true happiness. “There’s so much warmth from the staff and the activities we do. It’s such an endearing place, and I always feel so much joy there. Camp reminded me that we’re built for community. You can find God’s love anywhere, but especially in Camp Asbury’s supportive and spiritual environment, surrounded by people who genuinely care about you.”
Now, Brooke is ready for a new chapter at Camp Asbury, she’s set to join the summer staff for 2025. “I’m ready to step up and see camp from a new perspective—taking on leadership roles—but I’m not ready to let go of the wonder and surprise. I’m excited for new challenges!” As Brooke looks ahead, she carries with her the countless memories she’s made. “The best thing camp gave me is the memories. I look at camp photos, and it all comes flooding back. I’m always looking forward to being at camp again to make even more.” Brooke is excited to welcome campers with open arms this summer and to help them create memories, just like she was able to.
It is thanks to the generosity and gifts of people like you that we can continue our ministry and ensure that campers like Brooke are able to have experiences to broaden their horizons by providing new opportunities, make new friends, and express their faith. Thank you