Growing in Faith, Leadership & Community: An Intern’s Story

When Jessica first arrived at Warm Beach Camp as an intern two years ago, she wasn’t entirely sure what to expect. What she found was a life-changing experience filled with growth, faith, and community.

“I love being around people. I love community,” Jessica shared when asked why she chose Warm Beach over other opportunities. Her connection to the Camp runs deep—her grandparents had volunteered at Warm Beach for years. What started as volunteering grew into a calling: “I didn’t expect I’d come back here years later, but I enjoy it, and I love helping and getting to know people.”

Discovering Joy in Service

One of Jessica’s favorite parts of the internship was serving at the Day Camps during the summers. “I think my favorite was the Day Camps that I got to help with during these past two years. Just being around kids and getting to connect with some of them—I think that was my favorite part.”

For Jessica, it wasn’t just about activities; it was about the relationships formed and the opportunities to encourage others. Whether helping kids at the pool or leading through daily camp life, she discovered how much joy she found in giving her time and heart.

Lessons in Trust and Communication

The past two years have been filled with personal growth for Jessica. When asked about the most impactful lesson she learned, she didn’t hesitate: “To trust the process. If you don’t know what you’re doing, just trust that God is leading you where He wants you to be. Also communicate. Communication and trust are two big things for me.”

The internship challenged her in new ways. “People have pushed me and challenged me while I’ve been here. They helped me become a better person. There are lots of people who have impacted my life during these past two years and I’m grateful for all of them.”

Growing in Leadership and Faith

The Warm Beach Camp Internship isn’t only about work—it’s about spiritual formation and leadership. Interns are paired with mentors, spend time in Scripture, and are encouraged to grow deeper in their walk with Christ. Jessica explained, “One of the aspects of the internship is to grow with other people, to challenge and push each other. Another is to grow deeper in your walk with God. We’re called to love Him and serve Him.”

Though she admitted leadership didn’t always come naturally, Jessica found herself stepping into those roles anyway. “I feel like I have grown as a leader, in a sense. I’m still not good at asserting myself or speaking up. I just go where I’m needed. But I do believe communication is big. If you don’t communicate, then misunderstandings can happen. I feel like I can still grow more in my leadership abilities and I want to.”

Living in Community

Life at Warm Beach Camp also meant living alongside other interns. For Jessica, this was one of the most memorable parts of her experience. “Having a roommate was so much fun. We are both similar…like sisters. Sometimes in the evenings, we would just crash on the couch and start laughing for no reason. We can make each other laugh super hard.”

Adjusting to living away from family was a new challenge, but it helped her grow in independence. “I get to explore and become who I want to be. The internship has taught me a lot about communication and trust, but also how to be brave and branch out a little bit.”

Advice for Future Interns

As Jessica reflected on her two-year journey, she had some encouragement for young people considering the Warm Beach Internship. “Don’t be nervous at all. You can be yourself! I think people love it when you’re true to yourself, not trying to be someone else. Life is full of opportunities, and you have to ask yourself, ‘What would it be like to take an opportunity, like an internship, and try to grow in it and learn something?’”

When asked why someone should choose Warm Beach Camp over another program, Jessica didn’t hesitate: “I would suggest Warm Beach because the people here are like a big family! The moment you come on grounds, everyone is friendly, with warm smiles and handshakes. Here we try to make sure Christ is shown. At Black Diamond Camp and Warm Beach Camp, we want to promote Jesus, and we want to shine the Light.”

Looking Ahead

Though her time as an intern has come to a close, Jessica is stepping into her next chapter with excitement and faith. “I just want to go where the Lord wants me to be. Like, wherever He places me, that’s where I want to be.”

For Jessica, the Warm Beach Camp Internship wasn’t just two years of service—it was a journey of faith, friendship, and discovery. And for anyone considering the program, her advice is simple: “If God gives you a chance to do something, take it! Because you might not get another chance…so just take the leap and see what happens!”