Oasis Weekend: Creating space to rest, reconnect and be appreciated

They spend their summers showing up for young people. This weekend, The Divisional Mission Management Committee (DMMC) showed up for them.

Every summer, 150 camp staff from The Salvation Army’s Newport Adventure Camp and Jackson’s Point Camp dedicate themselves to creating meaningful experiences for young people. For these staff members, summer means long days, constant activity and countless moments spent encouraging, supporting and connecting with campers. Their work is at the heart of The Salvation Army’s Ontario Camping Ministry.

So, for one weekend this summer, the focus shifted.

Camp staff all gathered at Jackson’s Point Camp for Oasis, an appreciation weekend designed specifically for them — a chance to rest, reset, reconnect in community and know that their hard work is seen and valued. Members of the DMMC were invited to join the weekend, not as leaders or guests, but as volunteers ready to serve the people who spend their summers serving others.

Throughout the weekend, Ministry Units; Northridge Community Church, Mississauga Community Church and DMMC members helped with meal service, worked in the dish-pit, assisted with set-up and clean-up, and supported the various activities taking place.

The message was simple: you matter, and what you do matters.

For camp staff, having members of the Divisional Headquarters team show up and serve alongside them was a tangible expression of appreciation.

“It was such a cool experience to be able to serve our camp staff so they could step away from their responsibilities, reconnect with one another and genuinely feel appreciated,” said Captain Gina Haggett. “They give so much of themselves to the young people in our camps every single day over the summer, and Oasis was an opportunity for us to give back to them.”

The weekend also reflected an important value of The Salvation Army — leadership through service. By taking on the behind-the-scenes work of meal service, dish-pit duties, set-up and hospitality, DMMC members helped create space for camp staff to simply enjoy being together.

After spending their summers showing up for young people, Oasis was a weekend where someone else showed up for them.

And sometimes, the most meaningful way to say thank-you is to roll up your sleeves and serve. ❤️

By Claudia Nosseir