Winterlight’s 2016/17 theme was Here I Am, from the story of Moses and the burning bush. The main focus was on who we are and the difficult question of who God is. That may sound like an impossible question for young people in ninth through twelfth grade to answer, but it is surprising how open the young mind can be Beauty was evident throughout the conversation, in that everyone had their own personal view of God as well as different opinions and stories about their own experiences. However, there was never an ounce of judgment or questioning, because at Kanuga youth can be themselves and not have to worry about being judged by others.

Kanuga is built upon loving everyone God created. Counselors are incredibly open to discussing the aspects of religion and God that teens don’t usually know how to talk about. The people who fill the seats at Kanuga are ridiculously selfless and kind, even more than the best of friends you could ever have back home. God is present in this special place, from the times of worship to the service projects to the lip-sync battles. He’s most present at the top of Eagle Rock, where the feeling after a long hike up is indescribable. The sun hits the trees and everyone goes silent, in shock from the beauty, even after the thousandth climb.

God’s presence is even more prevalent during a personal trek around Kanuga Lake, where hikers feel almost as if God is there, walking with them like an old friend. I see God most during these camps on the day of the healing service, which includes different ways to pray and seek relief from the struggles of everyday life. Everyone is in one chapel, in their most vulnerable and emotionally naked state, yet everyone is comfortable and content, full of more love than one could describe. It is a beautiful feeling and one of the main reasons I cannot imagine not returning to Kanuga.

Winterlight, along with Youth Week at Kanuga, also includes a final Eucharist, always my favorite church service. At the end of this year’s service, we were told to take off our shoes to connect back to the story of Moses, when God told him to do the same thing. We were told that now, anytime we are barefoot, feeling the ground against our feet, we will be able to feel our own holy ground. We will know what keeps us grounded, and we will feel that we are alive.

Keeping Kanuga in mind, whether spending time at the beach, in the shower, at school, or at home after a rough day, I can wiggle my toes and know everything will soon turn out exactly the way God has planned.