It happens. When you’ve had such a great week at camp, coming home can feel depressing. Every minute away from the bubble of camp makes the memories that much farther away, makes the fun atmosphere seem like it was just a dream. It can leave those goals and faith steps you took seem like it’s not real or attainable. But alas, I provide advise on how to get through “PCD.”
Over the last few days, I’ve heard so many of my girls camp chicas express their wishes to go back to camp. To be honest, I’ve been missing it too. Life surely hasn’t slowed down for me, as we get ready to leave for a mission trip in just a few short days. But the thing I miss is unity, of this drive to want to know God--to have a unified mindset of learning about God and knowing that the biggest decision of the day is having to choose between twix or sour patch kids.
PCD (Post-Camp Depression).
It happens. Slowly, the excitement and drive at camp dwindles.. And my prayer is that while the “spiritual high” slowly decreases, that some how, faith has been stretched and grown and that when you come back down from that high, that you’re at least at a different part of your faith journey than when you first came to camp.
I have a confession to make to all my camp girlies. I read the notes you put at the cross. I did. I’m sorry. I wanted to find specific ways to pray for all of you. And I’ve been amazed at the things you are wanting to do when you “get home from camp.” I want to encourage you all to continue on that path. Things will get hard (and maybe they already have) but don’t forget that bubble you lived in for a week, of the sweet moments of prayer you had at devos, or the laughter you had with your friends at canteen, and mostly-- don’t forget the decisions you made when you let your hearts, eyes, and ears be open to God.
Some things to do post camp:
- Continue to work on your 100 verse Bible notebook... and then put it somewhere that you’ll look at it!
- Find time to pray, connect with God, and read scripture. (this will help you complete #1).
- Tell your parents, youth pastor, and Christian friends about what you wrote on your note so that they can help you complete the goals you made for yourself.
Lastly, know that it’s ok to be sad that you’re not at camp. But don’t let that week just be memories. Be changed by what you learned. Let it be a part of your faith journey! Remember, let your light shine! You are a daughter of the King! Here's a song that I absolutely love. It's about our faith. If we have Christ within us, we will be different.
Check out the band Philmont. They are rockin' people who love Jesus and have a song about shining God in our lives.
