Why You Should Work at HoneyRock

A Story from the Chase Leadership Program

By HoneyRock Center for Leadership Development

March 21^st, 2022

Emily Maruyama (WC '22) loved HoneyRock so much, she returned for another summer. During her time at Wheaton she pursued the Chase Leadership Program, through which she was able to earn a leadership certificate upon her graduation from Wheaton. In the Q&A that follows, Emily gives us the scoop on her big takeaways from HoneyRock Camp and the J. Richard and Mary Chase Leadership Program.

Why did you want to work at HoneyRock?

I grew up in Glen Ellyn [a town that neighbors Wheaton], so I’d known about HoneyRock forever. It always interested me. I’ve always had a big heart for camp ministry and for high school students, so getting to spend a whole summer with them at HoneyRock was just really exciting to me.

What was your job at HoneyRock?

I ended up working as a counselor in 2020—the COVID summer. I got to be an Epic counselor for the junior girls in high school. I also went back the following summer because I loved it so much, and that summer I worked with students in Catalyst, a program that develops young student leaders through service.

"This place is unlike any other in the way that they foster the development of whole and effective people."

What was your favorite part of being a counselor?

The discipleship model at HoneyRock really drew me in. You were always being poured into and you were also always pouring into someone else. That first summer, I had eight campers, which I split with my co-leader. I’d take four and we’d meet for one-on-one walks in the woods or time out on the paddle boards. Having someone pray for me, pour into me, and challenge me, and then getting to do the same for other campers was really cool.

Would you recommend the job to other college students?

100%. It’s a challenging and growing experience, but I really strongly believe that you will leave a place like HoneyRock changed as a leader and as an individual in your spiritual walk and ministry and faith.

HoneyRock is way more than a camp ministry. It is a Center for Leadership Development and I have experienced this in action. This place is unlike any other in the way that they foster the development of whole and effective people. I have been transformed as an individual and leader through this program. The best part of all of that is that it happened through fun activities, being in nature, rich community, cool campers, and impactful worship experiences.

You’re also pursuing a leadership certificate as part of the J. Richard and Mary Chase Leadership Program?

Yes. I knew I already wanted to be at HoneyRock, so I thought: ‘why not take this opportunity to grow as a leader?’ I love learning and to get to learn from people that have such great experience in camp ministry was really exciting to me.

What is one big lesson you’ve taken from the leadership program at HoneyRock?

The greatest commandment is to love God and to love others, and this program has really taught me to put people above the task. It’s really equipped me to pour into my leaders, volunteers, students— and for that to be almost more important than the task at hand. I’ve also learned so much about facilitative leadership [which emphasizes collaboration].

How has the program affected your leadership skills?

I see it in my life as foundational to my mission and vision of ministry. After graduating, I will work as the full-time high school ministry director at a local church. And I’m just really learning how to lead out of the overflow. That looks like immersing myself in the Word, prayer, community, and worship. One thing that has been drilled home at HoneyRock and through the leadership certificate is the importance of the spiritual discipline of quiet time and rest and Sabbath. I think that will become really important as I enter into full-time ministry.