Rev. Chad Boling thought he had his life pretty well planned. He grew up in Norfolk, graduated high school and moved to Lincoln to attend UNL.

He chose engineering for his major and when summer break came, heard about the need for counselors at Camp Fontanelle near Nickerson, NE.  It sounded like a fun summer job, so he took it - completely unaware it would change his life. 

Rev. Boling got to know the kids attending camp, and soon discovered there were two distinct types - those coming through their church, looking to connect with nature and enhance their relationship with God, and the other type was often not as connected with church, just looking to have fun. 

He often saw a profound change in the second type of kids - they experienced deep spiritual connections in a relaxed way.  Rev. Boling himself experienced the same thing - he found his calling while at camp.  His girlfriend Trista, also attending UNL and focusing on becoming a teacher, had the same revelation.  She, too, decided to go to seminary and they eventually married.

 When Rev. Boling became a pastor, he saw the difference scholarships could make for youth that could not otherwise afford camp.  They came back stronger and more excited about coming to church. "For kids that nominally go to church it's a way to explore and claim their own faith journey," he says. 
 

"The beauty of UMC camps is it's a time to slow down and connect with God.  It's a refresher and a retreat along with play time."

Today, Rev. Boling is pastor at Morning Star Callaway UMC.  He believes it's important to understand that 

camping is not just an extracurricular activity.  "It helps strengthen the churches, not only spiritually but also builds future leaders of the church.  I can't image life without the camps.  Camp helps part the clouds so you can see who you are and who you want to be."

To learn more about Camp Fontanelle, visit their web site at Camp Fontanelle. 

If you are interested in making a gift, please call NUMF at 1-877-495-5545 or go to www.numf.org./donate.html.