Turning from Teaching to Outdoor Ministry

A Story from the Emerging Leader Program by SpringHill & HoneyRock

By HoneyRock Center for Leadership Development

February 2^nd, 2022

As a high schooler, Makala was convinced she would never work at SpringHill. Ten years later, she’s not only working there, but also pursuing an M.A. in Global Leadership - Outdoor Ministry through HoneyRock and the Wheaton College Graduate School.

Makala graduated from Indiana Wesleyan University ready to teach. “I’ve always loved investing in people. That’s what drew me to teaching—building relationships with students and watching them grow.”

She applied for a teaching job and was hired—but it wasn’t quite what she expected.

“I love working and I spent a lot of time working as I was teaching…but I wasn’t having fun.”

From Teaching to Leadership Development Through Outdoor Ministry

Growing up, Makala had worked as a Counselor in Training for SpringHill Day Camps. Though it was a good experience, she said she’d never work for SpringHill.

A few years passed and Makala needed a summer job. As she talked with a friend and shared her need for a short, six-week job, her friend was adamant: SpringHill will hire you.

“I fell in love with camp that summer—the kids, the environment, the fun of camp.” Yet, despite the great experience, she didn’t plan on returning.

After her second year of teaching wrapped up, Makala put in her notice and opted for a change. She moved to Grand Rapids, MI. “I didn’t know anyone there, but it seemed new and exciting,” she says of the move.

In the back of her mind, it was also close to a familiar place: SpringHill. “I was considering what camp could look like full time. The central offices of SpringHill were close to Grand Rapids, so I was also trying to put myself in the vicinity incase an opportunity arose. After spending the last five summers at camp, I couldn’t get it out of my mind.”

Then, COVID-19. As it became clear there weren’t going to be any immediate opportunities in camp ministry, Makala turned to a teaching aid position. For the year she kept considering—do I teach, or not?

By the end of the year, she had her conclusion. The values she held close—deep relational connection, aliveness and fun in the day to day, a safe environment to champion and to be championed—teaching wasn’t honoring to them. While Makala thought she would need to spend one more year as a teaching assistant to find her specific path, she’d made the decision—pursue camp ministry.

The Emerging Leader Program at SpringHill

While Makala was spending the year as a teacher’s aide, SpringHill was at work developing the Emerging Leader Program (ELP)—an experience designed to activate the next generation of Christian leaders.

In the three-year Emerging Leader Program, students pursue a Master of Arts in Global Leadership from Wheaton College Graduate School while they gain experience in paid staff roles. The academic and work components of the program are complemented by mentorship and discipleship by SpringHill leadership.

“I didn’t know many more details than that, but it’s SpringHill.” Makala said. “I knew my values aligned; it was where the Lord was leading.”

A unique aspect of pursuing a graduate degree from a partner camp like SpringHill is being able to explore and compare various missions, visions, and programmatic elements between organizations.

“I’ve had one summer camp experience—SpringHill. Before the ELP, I’ve only ever worked with their Day Camp program. I have a unique perspective, coming from the Day Camp world. Yet because of how the program is structured, I’m also able to study at HoneyRock—an overnight summer camp location that’s focused on leadership development through transformational outdoor experiences. My eyes were opened to all the different ways camp can be done. Learning some of HoneyRock’s foundational values, mission—the way they approach their summer camp programs—a bunch of things clicked for me. For the first time, I acknowledged that the mission of expanding the Gospel through camp is available in so many contexts other than SpringHill. And some of those contexts may focus in on certain aspects of camp more than others. I found beauty in that, and it built my confidence that camp ministry was a journey I wanted to dive into head on.

Turning from Teaching to Outdoor Ministry

Working at SpringHill While Pursuing a Graduate Degree

While Makala knew SpringHill, the graduate school component stood as the big unknown.

“I’d been out of academia for three years. I had my undergraduate experience in the back of my mind, which was focused on excellence… getting great grades. My professors only saw the best, the polished side of me.”

As she settled into the newness of joining a cohort of students virtually, it became clear this wouldn’t be that kind of experience.

“From day one, my classmates and I heard ‘we care about the person you are and the person you are becoming through this process’. To hear that from the mouth of my professor was so key for me to come in and give myself permission to learn instead of to perform. I was invited into a space where I was expected to make mistakes, ask questions, discuss ideas...I don’t have to bring this perfect side of myself to this program. It took me off guard, but in the best kind of way.”

While the program has a strong academic component, learning and application also happens through work experience.

“We have a chance to dip our toes in every aspect of SpringHill. The leadership here has been intentional in asking about our interests and calling out our strengths. As you learn, you start to see what you’re drawn towards, and you start to contribute to that area.” Those interests and strengths prioritize where the ELP students spend their time.

The Emerging Leader Program at SpringHill is geared to equip young adults to strategically lead in a culturally diverse world facing complex times. Makala has experienced this firsthand. “If developing young leaders is an area of passion for you and you are excited about the idea of applying your mind to how to best serve and lead others, you want in on this. This program will place you into an environment where work and school go hand-in-hand, as well as provide you with extensive opportunities for professional leadership development and growth.”