By Grace Uhler
The “Camp High”
Worshiping under the stars with the aroma of campfire lingering in the air. Shadows cast from arms stretched toward heaven. Deep, quiet prayers of recommitment. Hands placed on shaking shoulders. Tight squeezes and joyful pats on the back. A surreal sense of peace and renewed vigor for Christ.
We’ve all been there: camp draws to a close, closure weekend ends, and you return to “civilian life.” You rebuild a normal schedule—and suddenly, the fire that burned so brightly begins to fade.
The true test of our relationship with God isn’t the mountaintop moment but how we walk through the valley afterward.
What the “Camp High” Really Is
For those who’ve never felt it, a “camp high” is an intense spiritual and emotional experience during Christ-centered events—like an entire summer serving—with a renewed excitement for the Lord. You sense God’s presence deeply. Your faith feels unshakable.
It can feel like a spiritual mountaintop where everything is crystal clear. But mountaintops aren’t meant to sustain us forever.
Anyone who has worked at a summer camp knows how hard it gets. There comes a point every summer where I need the Lord’s strength just to get out of bed. Relying fully on Christ is the only way to thrive at camp.
These spiritual highs are real and meaningful—but they’re meant to ignite your faith, not be the fuel that carries you the rest of the year.
Turning the High into Habits
The best way to keep that flame burning is to fan it. Build rhythms with Christ, not just moments. Fulfillment and satisfaction in the Christian life comes from faithfully choosing to diligently walk with Christ daily. Give all of your life to Christ.
Here are practical ways to do that:
- Read Scripture and pray daily
- Join a community of believers! Camp has year round events such as Hangtime and staff socials! This is a great way to stay connected during the off season and continue contributing to a genuine community.
- Serve in your local church—children’s ministry is a great place to pour out what you learned at camp. Don’t have a home church? Ask a camp friend about attending church with them! They would be MORE than happy to accompany you 🙂
- Journal how you saw God move during the summer
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Revisit your journal during hard seasons to remember His faithfulness
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Set reminders on your phone for prayer or verse meditation
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Listen to worship music throughout your day
Walking with Christ isn’t always easy. Staying faithful is hard—yet it’s the most important decision you can make.
“Let us not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9
Remember: The Off Season Has a Purpose
Just as athletes train in the off-season, God uses quieter seasons to prepare us for future callings.
We see this throughout Scripture:
- David spent years as a shepherd before becoming king.
- Jesus lived thirty years before His public ministry began.
- Even the quiet, mundane moments Jesus spent with His disciples were shaping and strengthening them for the difficult roads ahead.
The off-season is where your roots grow deep.
Take time to rest, reflect, and meditate on God’s Word.
Let Him mold and refine you for the next season.
The best way to keep that flame burning is to fan it. Build rhythms with Christ, not just moments. Fulfillment and satisfaction in the Christian life comes from faithfully choosing to diligently walk with Christ daily. Give all of your life to Christ…
Walking with Christ isn’t always easy. Staying faithful is hard—yet it’s the most important decision you can make.