Counselor Testimonies
"Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for
orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you."
James 1:27
"When I began counseling at Camp Alandale fifteen years ago, I wanted children to find change through Jesus. I had no idea that I would be the one changed. Today, there is no aspect of my life that can't be traced to God's work in me at Camp Alandale."
- Eric Roznos
Counselor
"The counselors and staff at Camp Alandale were instrumental in God changing my life. They showed me His love. They demonstrated what it means that to love God is to love our neighbor. Each of my counselors over the years focused on me and made me feel special. No one had ever spent time with just me. No one had ever focused their attention on me for even a day, much less for a whole week. My first counselor helped me to see the truth of God's Word so that I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior. Other counselors helped me to see how to live by God's Word as I struggled with many issues at home and in my gang infested neighborhood. God used each of them to help me be strong enough to say no to drugs and violence, which was all around me, and to say no to sex before marriage. If it wasn't for God in my life and the influence of all these great counselors I know I would be either dead or in jail. Most of the guys that I grew up with are either dead from a drive-by shooting, addicted to or have overdosed on drugs or alcohol, or are in jail for shooting someone. God chose me and saved me, and He used a lot of great camp counselors in the process."
- Rey Reyes
Camper from 1989-1991
Junior Counselor from 1991-1996
Counselor from 1996-Present
"God has used Camp Alandale as a powerful influence in my life. At the end of my first summer as a counselor, God clearly revealed His vision for my life, leading me into a wonderful 10-year career in the child abuse field. At camp, I saw God's incredible healing love in action, flowing through the imperfect hearts and hands of people like me whom He called to this extraordinary ministry. I am honored to be a part of Camp Alandale's mission to bring restoration and hope to hurting children."
- Shelly Hoss
Counselor
"My first summer being a counselor, I went to camp not knowing what to expect. What I saw was lives changed, pain dealt with, and trust reestablished. I saw these kids open up knowing they were in a safe environment. They shared their stories with each other, realizing they weren't alone. Then I saw them introduced to Jesus, the gospel shared, eyes opened, hearts softened, seeds planted. I feel honored to be part of Camp Alandale and to share in this amazingly simple and effective ministry."
- Jacob Chamberlin
Counselor
"I had no idea that I would be the one changed".
"If it wasn't for God in my life and the influence of all these great counselors, I know I would be either dead or in jail".
"I saw God's incredible love in action flowing through the imperfect hearts and hands of people like me whom He called to this extraordinary ministry".
"What I saw was lives changed, pain dealt with, and trust reestablished".