Throughout the summer, Young Life staff and volunteers from the Western Great Lakes Region had the joy of serving at Young Life camps around the midwest (Timber Wolf, Castaway, Northbound, Student Leadership Project) and beyond.
For three weeks in early August, many from our region served together on the Assigned Team at Castaway Club in Detroit Lakes, MN. The Assigned Team is the group of staff & volunteers who come together (alongside the camp’s property staff) to help run camp. Our staff served in the roles of Camp Director, Camp Speaker, Header Leaders, Work Crew Bosses, Summer Staff Coordinators, & Adult Guest Hosts, and volunteers from the region served as Summer Staff, Work Crew, and Camp Doctors.
A lot goes on behind the scenes to give kids “the best week of their life” at Young Life or WyldLife Camp. Here’s a quick backstage pass to meet the Assigned Team members at Castaway and see what they do to set the stage for kids to have a life-changing encounter with Jesus!
Click the arrows to scroll through the following slideshow…
Welcome to Castaway! These friendly faces are happy to welcome us for this little tour (from L-R): Camp Speaker, Crystal Wright; Head Leader, Kyle Raak; Head Leader, Sara Kunzi; Work Crew Coordinator, Jake Wielhouwer; Dining Hall Work Crew Bos, Abby Gurka; Head Leader, Sarah Eastway 
Our first stop is the daily Leader Meeting. Camp Speaker Crystal Wright (from Greater Holland Area Young Life) is sharing with leaders about her club talk themes, the progression of the program, and gives guidance to leaders on cabin time discussions. They pray for one another and for kids’ hearts to be open to the gospel message. 
At the Leader Meeting, we are lead by our Head Leaders Sara Kunzi & Kyle Raak, Camp Director Mike Bredeweg (on the right), and Speaker Crystal. 
Next, we met up with the Outdoor Crew (ODC). These high schoolers serving on the ODC Work Crew help keep the camp property looking beautiful. They are led this session by Work Crew Bos Wynn Brown (from Young Life of Michiana). 
Linens, Lysol, and laundry, oh my! We checked in on the Housekeeping Crew, led by Work Crew Bos Leela Thomas Parrish (from Greater Holland Area Young Life). This team serves with joyful hearts even when the work feels mundane and endless. Thank you for ALL you do! 
Here’s Camp Director Mike Bredeweg and Work Crew Boss Wynn Brown with other members of the out door crew! 
Here are a few more Work Crew friends with Work Crew Coordinator Jake Wielhouwer (Northwest Grand Rapids Young Life) on the far right and WC Bos Leela Thomas Parrish (third from the left) 
In the Dining Hall, we met up with this amazing crew led by Dining Hall Work Crew Bos, Abby Gurka (from Central Grand Rapids Young Life). These are the friendly faces that campers see at every meal. Three times a day, they set tables, serve food, clear tables, wash dishes, and so much more with such careful attention and love. 
Say hello to Head Leader Josh DeHaan (Lakeshore Young Life) and CJ Kingdom-Grier (Regional Committee Member and our region’s Diversity, Equity, & Belonging Coordinator) enjoying a Castaway meal together. 
Even staff spouses get pulled in to help out and play a role. Go, Bruce Kunzi (AKA the Camp Villain)! 
Many members of the Assigned Team come to camp along with their families, which means staff kids get to make memories at Castaway and also help out from time to time depending on their age. Here’s Kevin Eastway tubing with his sons. 
Serving together at Young Life camp with friends that feel like family! 
Thank you Castaway 3rd Session Assigned Team!
