WinShape Camp Returns to Vidalia

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WinShape Camp is returning to Vidalia and several homegrown campers are now transitioning into Winshape Camp staffers, serving throughout the Southeast.

WinShape Camp is a week-long day camp, which was originally founded by Chick-Fil-A founder Truett Cathy. These camps serve to give children — Kindergarten through 5th grade – an opportunity to build friendships, grow personally, and deepen their faith. This camp travels across the southeast, and will be headed to Vidalia on June 23-27.

This year, several former campers are returning to the WinShape Camps as staff members, as they travel from city to city with a team to bring kids fun and activities all summer.

Theresa Herring was a standout camper several years ago, as she earned the Fruits of the Spirit Award for displaying the traits associated with the Holy Spirit. “I had no clue how much this camp would mean to me when I first showed up, but it was everything,” Herring emphasized. “I understood the Gospel and truth about Jesus more than ever before, and it really impacted my faith.”

Since then, Herring has been excited to return to serve others through Win-Shape Camp, and provide them with the same experience she was able to live. She was able to serve as a traveling counselor in Summer 2024 and is continuing that role this year. “To be in a classroom full of kids asking questions about the Lord is the most amazing thing ever,” she reflected. “To see kids come to Christ and worship God brings so much joy – I can’t even describe it. I love camp so much and would do it a million times over.”

Alexis Head had a similar experience, as after attending camp when she was younger, she fell in love with the camp and even began her journey as a Christian believer during her first year of attendance. “I got saved during the first year that I went, and was baptized later that year. After that, my faith continued to grow, and I just kept being more and more excited to attend camp each year and see friends and people that I wouldn’t normally get to see,” she explained.

After aging out of camp, Head began to serve as a volunteer at the Vidalia WinShape Camp, and was ultimately hired this year as a traveling camp staff member. “I’m so excited to be able to pour into these kids and help them grow in their faith the same way that Win-Shape helped me. It’s just all so much fun!”

Head’s younger sister, Alyssa Head, also will be joining WinShape Camp as a counselor at the Young Harris Camp for girls in Young Harris, Georgia. This overnight camp will allow Alyssa to have a different experience than the normal community camp, but she’s excited for the challenge.

“I first went to camp when I was 8 years old, and every year after that, it was like that was the thing I looked forward to each year – not summer or being out of school, but camp,” she shared, as she explained that she did not begin her walk with Christ until after she was too old for camp, but then recognized the impact of the concepts the camp was teaching. “After volunteering at camp last year, I knew that I wanted to work for WinShape Camps one summer. I applied in August, and the day of my interview, they told me that I would be working at Young Harris Girls Camp if I worked this summer. Honestly, it scared me – I was only used to communities camp. But I trusted that God knew what He was doing and prayed that He would put me where He wanted me, and He did. I’m excited to be able to have this unique experience to share the gospel and impact kids the same way that I was impacted.”

Mikayla Stovall – another former Vidalia Win-Shape Camper and volunteer – is also serving as a counselor at Young Harris Camp for Girls, as she stated that WinShape Camp helped her to realize her calling for kids ministry. “It [has given] me real world experience and to witness children having real and intentional meetings with Jesus!” she said. “I believe that this summer will be one of the first steps in fully stepping into the calling that God has placed on my life! I feel as if every moment that led me to the place I’m in now started with Winshape, and I’m so grateful for all the opportunities I’ve gained from being a part of something so special!

Jay Jordan is also a camper turned staffer, as he shared that he began his walk as a Christian believer at camp, returned as a volunteer at Vidalia WinShape Camp, and has served as a traveling WinShape Counselor. “I love WinShape with everything in me,” he remarked.

Marli Dryden also returned to camp after experiencing the event as a camper, and served as a volunteer at the Vidalia WinShape Camp before becoming a traveling camp counselor last year. She recounted her experience volunteering and working as a counselor, as she said, “When I was in high school, I volunteered at camp and fell back in love with camp. I started growing more and more in my faith, and the next summer, when I volunteered, something about that week left me in happy tears.”

She continued, “So, last year, I decided to be a camp counselor. I honestly can’t describe how amazing it was. As a counselor this past summer, everything meant a lot to me – from leading 15 kids during team time to loading a semi truck each week to travel to the next town. It taught me so much about life – how to be thankful for what you have and how to love others.”

Autumn Harris shared that camp was a positive week of fun and excitement during a rough season of life. After attending camp as a camper, she returned to camp as volunteer at the Vidalia WinShape Camp for two years, before joining the summer staff in 2024. “This past summer was truly the most life-changing experience I have ever had. I got to watch kids fall more in love with Jesus each week, and have so much fun doing so. WinShape will always hold a special place in my heart as a camper, volunteer, and staffer,” she emphasized.

Harris has returned to WinShape camps this year, serving again as a counselor.

Emily Monroe is entering her first year as a counselor after attending camp and volunteering at the Vidalia WinShape Camp. She shared that camp influenced her greatly, as she was reminded that everyone did not believe like her. “I grew up in a Christian home and attended a Christian school, so talking about my religion and being secure in my beliefs was nothing new to me. However, I quickly began to realize that there were so many people my age, in my hometown, that had never heard about Jesus. Win-Shape taught me that I can have such a large influence in my community – even if I can’t see it,” she commented.

All of these campersturned- staff members emphasized their encouragement of children to attend camp, and for people to be willing to volunteer for the week. They each recounted fun memories of recreation activities, team games, worship time, and friendships formed that they each treasured.

R egistration for Win-Shape Camp is currently open and costs $300, which covers all meals and activities. To register, visit the WinShape Camps website, or call (844) 972-2677.

A NEW ADVENTURE – Alyssa Head is experiencing a new adventure this summer, as she is a counselor at the Win-Shape Young Harris Camp for Girls. (Shown) Head paints a camper’s face.

GROWING WITH CHRIST – Jay Jordan (left) shared that he first began his walk as a Christian believer at Win-Shape Camp, and has grown in his faith ever since.

A LIFE-CHANGING EXPERIENCE – Autumn Harris emphasized that WinShape Camp has been a life-changing experience for her, impacting her both as a child and a young adult.

IMPACTING KIDS – Alexis Head shared that she enjoys being able to impact students the same way that the camp impacted her when she was younger.