By Brent Learned – Casper, Wyoming … At youth summer camps across North America, kids gather to experience fun, friendship and adventure. At many camps, the day begins and ends at the center of camp. From line calls, and flag raising and lowering to intense games of capture the flag or just hanging out with friends, the center of camp provides the heartbeat of the summer camp experience.

At the Wyoming summer camp facility, Mills Spring Ranch (MSR), the center of camp has seen a number of updates over the last few years, intentionally aiming at improving the “center-of-camp experience.” The most recent improvement, the addition of a new beach volleyball court, improves the aesthetics of center camp and also adds an additional activity for the summer camp program!

A bonus to the MSR program, the volleyball court project was completed entirely with the help of volunteers. The project began on August 4 with Norm and Videll Ahrens, active members in the Dakota Adventist Conference, arriving at the Casper/Natrona County International Airport in their private Cesna 182 airplane to volunteer a week of their time, energy, and passion for youth ministry to Mills Spring Ranch. Their involvement with the project was aimed at creating a truly professional court.

Brent Learned, MSR camp director explained, that “Creation of the new court was to provide a space for kids and adults alike to enjoy playing volleyball together and build the bonds of friendship necessary for wholehearted living. A place to belong, build confidence, work together as a team, learn new skills, and have authentic spiritual conversations. A place to be vulnerable with each other not only knowing other’s strengths and weaknesses on the volleyball court, but also knowing how to celebrate when others succeed and receive a helping hand when face down in the sand of life.”

Brent added, “Although the project was long, tiresome, and at times quite frustrating, never once was a complaint heard. Even after the third eighteen-hour day, when it was almost midnight and everyone felt like they had ‘hit the wall’ having nothing left to give, there was a strong sense of meaning and purpose.”

Norm Ahrens said “I was glad I had the time to help with the volleyball court project. Groups that camp at MSR will enjoy the invigorating exercise of sand court volleyball for seasons. The game can promote teamwork and can be enjoyed by young and old alike.”

Building a volleyball court was not about providing another useful structure at a summer camp. Brent, Norm, and Videll had a strong sense that they were building something bigger. Whether engaging in the construction of a beach volleyball court or working at summer camp, MSR staff and volunteers are involved in building the kingdom of God! By constructing this volleyball court, “the construction team created a sacred space,” Brent said.

Brent Learned is RMC assistant youth director and Mills Spring Ranch manager; photos supplied