Summer of Service: Embracing Ministry at Glen Lake

Holley leads a small group activity for campers

Ja'riah Holley, a digital design student at the University of Texas at Dallas, is spending her summer serving as a counselor at Glen Lake Camp. She discovered the opportunity through a Bible study and said she’s grateful she chose to serve.

“I love it here,” Holley said. “It doesn’t feel like a job. I’ve found I really like working with kids.”

In Week 5 of the summer, Holley helped lead the third session for campers in grades 3 through 8. Her week included teaching about the Horizon Texas Conference’s relationship with the United Methodist Mission in Honduras, writing notes of encouragement to pastors and building water filters to demonstrate the importance of clean, accessible drinking water.

One of her favorite parts of camp? The zip line.

“I like working at the zip line,” she said with a smile. “I don’t even have to go down it.”

Holley said both the zip line and chapel time have created lasting memories for her.

Holley and campers in the water at Glen Lake Camp

At Glen Lake, counselors live in cabins with campers, lead small groups and help guide morning and evening skits and songs. Each counselor brings their full personality to the role and is welcomed with joy for who God created them to be—whether outgoing or introverted.

Holley said she’s already looking ahead to next year.

“I plan to come back next summer,” she said.

Glen Lake Camp hires 20 to 30 summer staff members each year, based on camper needs from the previous season. Registration for next year’s camps will open in the fall, and hiring for 2026 summer staff will begin early next year.