The Magic of Day Camp

Eliza Tyer is from Fairview, Tennessee and a student at Sewanee: University of the South. This summer, Eliza was a Day Camp Manager. In her role, Eliza registered children for our Day Camp programs, created curriculum, and coordinated with local sites to secure field trip locations.

As a Youth Summer Ministry camper, you get to experience the magic of Mountain T.O.P. But as a staff member, you make the magic. This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to serve as a Day Camp Manager, and it’s hard to put into words just how much this experience has meant to me.

Day Camp is so much more than just Mountain T.O.P.’s other program. It’s a place where kids from across Grundy County come together to grow, connect, and thrive. It’s where we work to foster confidence, leadership, love, and resilience in every child who goes through our programs. And it’s where we plant seeds of hope that will grow long after the summer ends.

Day Camp is built around three programs: Front Yard, Field Trip, and Summer Plus. Each one is designed to meet the physical, social, spiritual, and emotional needs of the kids we serve. Whether we’re running our curriculum in a child’s front yard, taking them on field trips to explore their community, or helping teens develop new skills through hands-on workshops, every moment is intentional.

One of my favorite memories from this summer was our field trip to the Grundy County Courthouse for a mock trial. I loved it so much we had it as a field trip Week 1 and Week 5! Watching the kids step into roles as lawyers and jurors was amazing. For many of them, it was their first time in a courthouse, and you could see their imaginations take off as they learned about the legal system and started to picture themselves in those roles of the mock trial.

During the mock trial, everyone had a job to do as we tried to figure out if “Alex” was guilty of stealing cookies. We went through the whole trial, and the jury even gave a final verdict. And, of course, since Alex was not guilty, and we ended the field trip with cookies for everyone! It was one of those moments that reminded me why we do what we do, helping kids realize their potential and dream bigger than they ever thought they could.

Everything I do with Day Camp is done with intention. Whether it’s planning the curriculum, picking the word of the day, or scheduling our field trips, I approach every decision like it matters, because without the intention, what is it worth? A little extra work on my end might fully change the way our week goes. I saw this firsthand during Week 5, when I had the idea to have signs for our fish schools: Laffy Fish and Taffy Fish. It only took five extra minutes to make those signs, but for whatever reason, they meant so much to the kids throughout the week. They took pride in their fish schools, cheered each other on, and bonded over something as simple as a name on a sign. That small effort and planning on my part completely changed the energy of the week, and it reminded me how even the smallest details can make the biggest difference.

Every day of Day Camp, we work to meet the kids where they are and give them what they need to thrive. We provide lunches, snacks, and water to meet their physical needs. We connect them with other kids and Mountain T.O.P. campers to meet their social needs and show them what good leadership looks like. We share Bible stories, prayer journal questions, and themes like determination and awareness to meet their spiritual needs. And we create a safe, supportive environment where they can express their emotions and learn how to navigate them.

These kids know who we are, and many of them look forward to their week at Mountain T.O.P. all year long. They leave with more than just crafts and memories; they leave with a sense of belonging, a boost in confidence, and the knowledge that they are loved and valued.

As I said my goodbyes at the end of the summer, I couldn’t help but reflect on how much this experience has shaped me. Being part of Day Camp has taught me so much about the power of connection, the importance of community, and the impact of showing up for others.

Because here, every moment matters, and it all adds up to something bigger than ourselves. And every moment on this silly ole mountain is magic.