Meet The Staff: Alyssa

The staff experience at Laurelville can be summed up in one word. Busy. Alyssa served as the Staff Counselor on our Laurelville team. She led Bible studies and created intentional environments where our team could slow down and grow in their own relationships with God while serving at camp. Read about her Laurelville experience below.

My name is Alyssa Tyson, and I was on the PKF team for Laurelville. My role was to help create a healthy, God-centered, and unified staff culture. I thought this would be a way for me to pour into the staff, but I was so much more filled and poured into while being there. The joy and depth of every staff member were inspiring. We were able to laugh, pray, cry out, have fun, and rejoice with each other. So many people from different backgrounds and situations yet brought together as a family because we all have the same Father. The friendships and relationships that I’ve built are such blessings. Hearing from people even after camp is over has been so encouraging. Each person came into Laurelville with such specific gifts, and when paired with everyone else’s gifts, God was able to flow through his body of people and students came to know him. I saw the blessings of God on this camp, and I believe it is because his followers were obeying His call on their lives. I have been challenged by the staff, speakers, and students to live freely in the life God has given us and to trust that he will take our faithful obedience and will work miracles. I didn’t know where God was taking me next in my adult life journey, but after Laurelville, I’ve been reminded that I don’t need to know all the answers, I just need to follow the One who does have the answers. His promises go with me wherever I will go.

Laurelville 2018

“What. A. Weekend!” was the refrain around the office after each Laurelville Mud Weekend this year. For 55 years, we have faithfully invited youth leaders and their students to Laurelville Christian Retreat Center for the best weekend ever. This year, we welcomed 1,532 students and leaders over the course of 4 weekends.

Our seasonal camp-staff spent time before and at camp training together, growing together, and learning what it means to be part of a staff family as we carry out the work that God has called us to.

It’s hard to know how much mud (or how much laundry detergent) it takes to pull off a Laurelville Mud Weekend. And while all of the mud football we play and the dancing we do at camp are important pieces of Laurelville, the most significant part of camp is sharing the good news of Jesus Christ with kids. Every weekend we witnessed students enter into brand new relationships with Jesus, and every Sunday afternoon, we celebrated our new brothers and sisters in Christ.

Meet The Staff: Caitie Bellotti

Caitie joined our staff this summer at Surf City as a tech team intern. She also joined us again at Laurelville this fall! Catie works closely with other members of the tech team and plays a big part in filming and editing the camp highlight videos. Check out what she had to say about her experience on staff this summer.

Interning with the tech team at Surf City has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, allowing me to grow in my skill while working in a positive environment. I have been working in video since I was 12, and since then, I have been searching for different ways to better my skill set. Being able to work with PKF, an organization that has hosted many camps that have helped me meet Christ and grow in my own faith, was so incredible because I was able to help others meet God as well. To glorify God by doing what I love was so rewarding, and even inspiring others close to my age to serve Christ was even better.

-Caitie

We're always looking for passionate staff members. If that's you, or you know of a highschool or college student who you think would be a great fit, encourage them to apply for an internship at Surf City or Laurelville.