I cannot fathom, for even a second, all that God manages on a daily basis. Helping with TCM’s Sonshine Day Camp program has been more than fulfilling. As a team, we strive to make the camp a reflection of Christ’s love for the children. Yet sometimes, I just feel insecure, as if I’m doing something wrong.
Read MoreIt’s been a joyous yet challenging experience working at Sonshine Day Camp. During my time here at TCM, God has been showing me the struggle of working with kids. From teaching Bible lessons to distracted kids to struggling to lead games and crafts, I have recognized many of my shortcomings due to my lack of experience. However, I am reminded of 2 Corinthians 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Read MoreWith three years of volunteering at Jesse-Ketchum under my belt, I had mixed emotions when finally taking the chance to work as a summer intern. The idea of becoming a camp leader was exciting, but it was also intimidating to think about all the new responsibilities I’d have to take on.
Read MoreAs I started my first day at Sonshine Day Camp, I had preconceived notions of what a summer camp would be like. I had an idea of how the campers would act, what issues would arise, and most importantly, I thought I had nothing to learn. As someone who grew up in a church, I considered the camp as an opportunity for me to teach campers about God, but in reality, I would be the one learning more about my faith and being challenged by God.
Read MoreBeing granted the opportunity to serve as a summer intern for Sonshine Day Camp has been one of my greatest blessings this year. I started off the summer pretty nervous, as I didn’t know what to expect as a first-year summer intern, but I’ve never felt more overwhelmingly supported in my life by my fellow interns, TCM staff, and most importantly, God.
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Growing up, I often found myself in my own bubble. Anxiety kept me in my comfort zone, and I’d rather choose silence over speaking up in a crowd. But being at TCM this summer has encouraged me to step out and let God work in and through me.
Read MoreSonshine Daycamp has been a blast. I came into it ready to take on new challenges and grow in faith, and I was not disappointed. I can be on the quieter side when in new places with new people, so doing activities alongside the kids has been a great way to grow.
Read MoreIf you’d asked me a year ago what my 2025 summer would look like, I would never have dreamed I’d be here, working again at a summer camp in my church community. Not because I wouldn’t have wanted to – the total opposite – I had simply given up on the idea after our church-run summer day camp camp was shut down after COVID. When the news came to me that the church didn’t have enough money to run the camp, I was heartbroken. I looked for someone or something to blame and questioned God’s plan. I always felt like my skills were best used in a camp or classroom setting. Why would He cut off such a valuable connection to the families in our community?
Read MoreIt was four years ago when I first volunteered at my church’s summer camp, and I didn’t enjoy it. I came back the next summer, and I still didn’t like it. The year after that, I worked at a non-Christian summer camp, and I left thinking that I never wanted to work with children ever again. Yet, in the following spring, I had once again applied to work at another summer camp.
Read MoreThis summer is my first time serving as an intern at Toronto City Mission’s Sonshine Day Camp, and already, it has been a journey of growth, challenges, and joy. Being placed at the Jesse Ketchum site, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but God has been teaching me so much through the campers, the team, and even the difficult moments.
Read MoreAt the start of the year, I set a goal to keep praying and asking God to show me the path He wanted me to take. I thought I would be doing something bold, like serving as a missionary in another country for a year. I had the desire, the experience, and what I thought was the right timing. But as the months went by, I began to sense God leading me toward starting my mission work right where I was, in my own community. To be honest, I felt confused, even frustrated. It felt like my prayers had gone unanswered, or at least misunderstood. But in obedience, I followed where God was leading and stepped into a role with TCM.
Read MoreThis summer is now my third internship with TCM! I worked two summers at Orton Park, and this summer I made the transition into an office intern. It has been an interesting experience, full of learning and seeing more into how God has been working through TCM.
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I returned because I truly felt led to. I knew in my heart that my job at TCM wasn’t done yet. There’s something about this place, something God placed on my heart that kept pulling me back. I’ve come to realize that the mission and vision He’s given me is deeply personal. I’m called to be that person I wish I had when I was growing up, someone steady, someone present, someone who speaks truth and hope into young lives. I want to be there for the kids, showing them love, encouraging them, and leaving them with nuggets of wisdom they can carry into their future.
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Running a summer camp can be a very thankless job, as there are many challenges that come with leading a large group of young campers. Not only are the days long and hot, but the kids can be rowdy, and there are times when you struggle to work with your team.
Read MoreAs I progress through my fourth summer with Toronto City Mission at the Sonshine Day Camp, I can’t help but feel blessed to be able to learn and grow with the team at the Jesse Ketchum site once again. Throughout my years of service at Jesse Ketchum, God has continually taught and reminded me of His presence and grace, and this summer is no exception.
Read MoreI have many fond memories of my first summer internship two years ago, but it started off with a lot of anxiety. This included stepping outside of my comfort zone with a new job, being the youngest intern, setting high expectations for myself, and feeling unqualified. The Lord encouraged me in those moments through my personal Bible readings in the book of Exodus.
Read MoreAs programs began the following week, the feeling of determination I had developed over the summer had returned. While the word, determination, might sound promising or even praise-worthy, don’t be fooled. This determination was fuelled by doing a good job and meeting criteria in order to be able to sleep well at night. In other words, I began to rely on my own strength to attempt to power through and even cope with the challenge of increased leadership. It wasn’t until a couple of incidents that I finally understood what this more important word, Strength, had meant both in terms of ministry and my life as a whole.
Read MoreThis now-concluded summer of 2024 taught me so much about what it means to be a leader. This was also my second time as a summer intern for Toronto City Mission.
Read MoreAlthough there were various job options I had this summer, God has called me once again to serve with TCM and the community of Jesse Ketchum. Despite the different work experiences I had this past year, I still felt a calling to return for another summer.
Read MoreThis summer is my second summer with Toronto City Mission/Sonshine Day Camp and it has been so awesome to see how God is working in the lives of the kids, interns, and staff.
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