Another Summer of Camp is nearly upon us– and I’m so excited for this year’s theme: PLAYLIST.

Whether you realize it or not– every single one of us has a playlist. Not just the songs on your phone, but the soundtrack that’s shaping your life. It’s the voices you listen to, the thoughts on repeat in your mind, and the messages you let influence your identity, your choices, and your direction. So the question is: what are you choosing to let play?

Your playlist is being built every single day by what you watch, what you listen to, who you follow, who you hang around, and what you choose to believe. Some playlists are full of negativity. Some are full of lies that say you’re not good enough, not worthy, or not loved. And, let’s be honest– some playlists are full of things you know you shouldn’t be listening to. And if we’re not careful… we start living out the lyrics of those lies. But here’s the good news– You don’t have to stay stuck listening to the wrong soundtrack!

Romans 12:2, says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

God wants to change what’s playing in your life. He wants to replace the lies with truth, the noise with peace, and the confusion with purpose. Because, when you start filling your life with His voice… everything begins to change. Your thoughts, your choices, your identity– it all changes!

In John 10:27, Jesus says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.”

Above all else, we want students to learn the importance of choosing to fill their lives Jesus, because there is no better soundtrack for their life than His truth, His presence, and His plans.

Camp is a chance to turn down the noise, pause everything else that’s been playing…and finally hear the voice of God clearly. The world is constantly trying to add songs to your playlist… but God is inviting you to listen to something better.

So here’s the question: What will you choose to let play?

Alex Rosinger

Alex Rosinger is a graduate of Iowa State University and ISU Chi Alpha, a campus ministry focused on helping college students encounter Jesus and grow in their faith. It was during his time there that Alex’s life was completely transformed through a real encounter with Jesus.

After graduating in 2016, Alex worked as an environmental engineer in the Minneapolis metro area. But God began to redirect the course of his life– changing the “playlist” he was living by– and calling him into something greater. Today, Alex serves on pastoral staff at King’s People Church in Ames, IA– and is passionate about helping students hear the voice of Jesus and build their lives on truth that actually lasts.

Alex and his wife, Katie, live in Ames and have four young boys– keeping life loud, fun, and a little bit chaotic. Their youngest son was just born in March, making this a full and exciting season for their family!

Alex has a deep hunger to see God move in a powerful way in the hearts of students at ISU. He believes that this generation is being shaped by so many competing voices– but that everything changes when we choose to tune into the voice of God.

His heart is to see students encounter Jesus personally, have their lives transformed, and begin living to a different soundtrack– the truth, purpose, and calling found only in Jesus.

What to bring:
Here is a list of items a camper will need to bring or may wish to bring to camp this summer: Bedding, (pillow and blankets or sleeping bag), toiletries, towels, Bible, pen, swimsuit (one-piece), clothes that can get dirty or wet at game time, and spending money.

Snack Shack:
Hidden Acres will operate a Snack Shack featuring bottled water, juice, soda, chips, candy, and other snacks. Most students bring $15-$25 to spend at the Snack Shack.

What not to bring:
Phones, laptops, tablets, kindle readers, tobacco, vapes, alcohol, narcotics, pornography, weapons of any kind, fireworks, or other combustible materials. Possession any of these items after the given “grace period”  may result in immediate dismissal from camp. The Camp Director, Skyler Sanford, will make the final decision on this. No refunds.

CAMP RULES/GUIDELINES:

Mobile phone policy
Phones and other electronic devices WILL NOT BE ALLOWED at camp. All students should leave their phones at home. Central Region will no longer be collecting phones, and storing them while students are at camp. If churches feel that students should have their phones during transportation to/from camp– they may collect the phones upon arrival to camp, and store them with one of their camp leaders/chaperones during the week. Central Region will not be liable for lost, stolen, or damaged phones. IF students are caught using their phone during the week, without approval of the Camp Director, Skyler Sanford, they may forfeit the remainder of their time at camp. The primary reason for this is to limit distractions. Our hope and goal is to encourage our students to take their focus off the electronic world and pay attention to God and the friends around them. If a parent is concerned about connectivity with their student, please speak with your youth director or pastor– as they will both have their phones, and can be contacted throughout the camp week.

Dress code
Everyone must wear shoes when walking on the grounds. Certain exceptions may apply for walking to/from the Lake.

Guys – Shirts must be worn at all times, except in the pool, at the lake, or if you are a ‘skin’ for basketball. Your shorts need to stay up around your waist. For swimming, guys must wear swim trunks that stay up, no speedos.

Ladies – Your shirt and pants should touch. Your shorts or skirts should be at least mid-thigh. For swimming, ladies must wear modest one-piece suits. If you have a two-piece, a dark-colored t-shirt must be worn over it.

Staying in dorms at night
Most of the girls’ dorms will have bathrooms and showers inside the same facility with them. Boys will need to leave their cabin and walk a short distance to the bathhouse. At night, girls may not leave their dorm buildings under any circumstances (except to use the bathroom, if outside the dorm). Boys may leave their cabins for the purpose of going to the bathroom but not leave the cabin/bathhouse area. Any student found, for any reason, outside of these confines will immediately forfeit the remainder of his or her camp experience. No warnings. No refunds.

Social skills
Fighting, intimidating, or verbally abusing any camper or staff, is not permitted and may result in the camper losing their privilege of finishing camp. Public displays of affection are not allowed during camp. The Camp Director, Skyler Sanford, will make the final decision on disciplinary action that involves a student being sent home from camp.

Use the brain God gave you
When you make decisions during camp week, use common sense and treat other people the way you would want to be treated. Also, show respect for the campground, and the Central Region Team that is helping to run the camp that week.

Boy/Girl (Altar Ministry)

During each nightly service, there will be opportunities to pray for others, and to receive prayer at the altar. This is welcomed and encouraged all throughout the bible, that believers would fellowship with one other in prayer and intercession. At camp however, we ask that students praying together adhere to our prayer policy of boys praying with boys, and girls praying with girls. We believe that this rule helps to eliminate potential distractions that might limit or inhibit God’s very best for the altar experience. Leaders and other Youth Chaperones are welcome to pray with students as needs arise.