Why We Give

By Vanessa Byers

I remember driving up for my first week of camp as an 11-year-old. From the nerves of arriving to the friendships I made and the laughter we shared, I knew it was a place I would come back to over and over. I remember, a few years later, the excitement of seeing the blueprints for the building of Camp Swamp. I watched as my dad and many other dads helped build camp in the mud. Camp Swamp was my summer haven—our own giant treehouse where us kids could escape to every year, like our own Never Land.

Vanessa (Top photo - camper on the right) during her last year as a camper and first year at Camp Swamp (the permanent location in Penfield, GA). Two photos side by side (below) are from the same year. And last photo below is of Vanessa as a counselor with her cabin.

At camp, God always seems closer in nature, in friendships, in fun, and in the songs and lessons of camp. Once I was old enough, counseling there was a privilege; a chance to help create memories for the nest generation. I dreamed of days when I would one day have my own kids with whom I would share camp.

Now seeing my own kids experience the same nerves, make their own friends, and laugh just as hard, it's like coming full circle. Camp Swamp means so much to me; a place where we've been given so much. And we give back financially now, hoping to share that same joy and connection with God with as many generations as possible.

Second group of photos above are of Vanessa's sons enjoying camp including a mother and son photo. Vertical photo above: Vanessa's husband, John (also a Camp Swamp Counselor alum) with her 3 boys in the gazebo.

A friendly reminder that Family Camp, Summer Camp weeks 1-6 and Adult Camp registrations are still OPEN!!! And whether you and your family are available to come to camp or not, we'd love for you to invite new friends and family to join us this summer! We can't wait to see you!

Family Camp: May 29 - June 1
Week 1: June 2 - 8
Week 2: June 9-15
Week 3: June 16-22
Week 4: June 23-29
Week 5: June 30 - July 6
Week 6: July 7- July 13
Adult Camp: July 25 - 28

Mother Son 3/22-3/24
Family Camp 5/29-6/1
Summer Camp Week 1-6
Adult Camp 7/25-7/28
Mother Daughter 8/23-8/25

Check out volunteer opportunities during any one of these events by clicking HERE.