This was my first trip to Mountain T.O.P., so I was a rookie, but I felt welcomed by all of the team and the fabulous staff. I am hopeful this was the first of many such trips in my future.

When I arrived at Redeemer in 2001, a newly minted associate pastor, I was asked if I wanted to accompany the youth on a trip to Tennessee. I was young and up for just about anything, so I said, "Sure!"

Mountain T.O.P. is one of my most favorite places on earth because I have always felt safe and loved there. I don’t say that with a specific location in mind—I was a camper from 1993 to 1997 and on summer staff in 1999. I believe I stayed at every single camp the organization used in the 90s.

My summer at Mountain T.O.P. was the most intense and rewarding of my life. I loved getting to “peek behind the curtain” and see what all goes into creating positive experiences for the campers and homeowners alike.

When I reflect back on this summer, I think about the person I was before and then reflect on how much I have changed. Something about Mountain T.O.P. always brings me back to a sense of peace. As a camper, every summer I became more and more in love with the mission of Mountain T.O.P. I would leave with a sense of home and a heart ready to serve others. The thought of becoming summer staff always made my heart so happy.