Dan King addresses campers at Camp Barnabas. | Photo: Courtesy Dan King

There’s a lot of darkness in our world today. Unfortunately, the children and youth in the Diocese of Central Florida aren’t exempt from experiencing that darkness. This summer at Camp Wingmann, the theme of “The Darkness and the Light” helped them see and understand how the light of the gospel changes things in their lives. Through the daily program lessons, activities, morning and evening chapel sessions, and nightly devotions, the kids explored this theme of darkness and light, encouraging them to embrace the light and then shine their light in the dark world around us.

The summer’s theme centers around John 1:5, which says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”

“The concept resonates deeply with both the campers and staff,” said Camp Wingmann Director Joshua “J.J.” Joseph. “We often start discussions by asking if they’ve ever experienced complete darkness—whether physical or emotional—and then introduce the idea of Christ as the unyielding light in those moments. This theme has led to powerful conversations and personal reflections among the campers.”

Father Mark Lafler speaks at Camp Barnabas. | Photo: Courtesy Dan King

I serve as director of family ministries at St. Edward’s, Mount Dora, and was program leader during Wingmann’s Camp St. Barnabas (the middle-school week). In our program lessons, I shared with the youth about studies done on the impact of sitting in absolute darkness, contrasting that with what light does for us and our surroundings. We also explored several key scriptures to help them connect with the idea of what it means to live in the light and share it with those around us.

Morning prayer and compline (bedtime prayer) experiences further deepened these concepts. The Rev. Mark Lafler, rector of St. Edward’s, Mount Dora, and one of two chaplains present for the middle school camp week, illustrated for the youth one evening during compline how even the smallest light can break through the darkness. Examples like this helped them see how light breaks the darkness and that darkness has no power over the light.

“The best part is seeing kids in a place where it is not only acceptable to be excited about God, but expected,” said the Rev. Wes Shields, rector, St. Augustine of Canterbury, Vero Beach, who also served as one of the chaplains for Camp Barnabas and is the parent of a camper. “That is becoming harder and harder to find in our society, our homes and sadly, to some degree, our churches.

“Camp offers a space for kids to express their belief in a way that is exciting and meaningful to them,” he added. “The fact that they are able to return year after year to a place that for them is holy ground also adds to the beauty of the experience. Passing the gospel on to the next generation should be our top priority. Camp is helping to do that work.”

Joseph echoed this idea. “Our camp is designed to be a fun, engaging place where kids can encounter Christ in a transformative way,” he said. “Through activities, worship sessions and nightly devos, we’ve seen kids come to know Jesus for the first time and deepen their existing faith.”

As a program leader at the camp for a few years, and a parent with four kids attending the camps, I also see how these experiences at Camp Wingmann resonate deeply with the children and youth who attend. They’re coming home not only with a cool T-shirt and some fun memories, but also with some incredible seeds of gospel truth planted in their hearts. And they can’t wait to return for their next camp experience.