Getting Off the Treadmill of Life

By Amy Vanderwall
Assistant Director, Summer 2001

It was 1998 and I was on the treadmill of life--working in the national office of an international accounting firm--leading the national network of college recruiting--working 60++ hours a week, never taking a vacation, traveling up to half my year. At the time, this treadmill was what I had thought "success" meant. Then God whispered in my ear "volunteer at Fowler".

To this day, because I was so "busy" I don't remember all the details, all I know is that I phoned my friend Lynn to ask her to join me (Lynn is a "church friend" from childhood who had lived in a different town thus for 8 years Fowler was the only time outside of Sunday that we really had time together) and off I went with Lynn to Fowler to volunteer as a Cabin Counselor for one week (my only vacation that year).

The experience was amazing and I believe it planted a seed for what followed. After the fist summer, I returned to my treadmill, but was reflecting often of Fowler--sharing God's love and creation with the campers, working with other amazing adults,--I looked forward to returning again.

So I did--again with Lynn and as Volunteer Cabin Counselor. This second summer left me with a profound desire to slow down and to listen to God--I started getting off my treadmill as often as possible. This lead me to review my vacation time, which I had piled up over 5 years and I found that I had 10 weeks stored up--enough for a SUMMER at Fowler. I called Kent Busman, the Fowler Director about an opportunity to work on the Fowler Staff--he said it was definitely an option. After a lot of prayer, I then proposed a summer leave to my partner at work who responded with full support.

Thus it came that I spent Summer 2000 on the Fowler Staff as Volunteer Coordinator, and I loved every minute of it. I was blessed to be a part of the Fowler community and through the experience, I became even closer to God and worked through some of the fears I had about making changes in my life, because before coming to Fowler for an entire summer, I had also started playing my flute again and to reflect on what my life path could be if I allowed myself to follow my passion for music and working with children.

Well, I drove away from Fowler that summer of 2000 and quit my job and allowed the voice of God to lead me on a new path, I moved to a new city, continued studying the flute, applied to a Masters of Music/Music Education program and began a new journey in life--one that most importantly enables me to work at Fowler where I am currently spending my second year on the Summer Staff as Assistant Director.

I feel that God is so present here at Fowler and while on the Summer Staff you experience God's love first-hand through your hard work with the other Summer Staff, the Volunteer Staff and the campers that enter the Fowler community. Since the campers are "new" and diverse each week and the ages revolve from 3rd-5th grade up to high school, you and the others on the Summer Staff are able to utilize and stretch your creatively and talents to ensure all ages have an awesome time and that the needs of each of the over 950 campers are met. Adult volunteers also change each week, which fuels the Summer Staff with new energy and perspectives--what a GIFT to have over 165 adults who volunteer their unique talents to Fowler over the summer and to have an opportunity to meet and interact with so many other wonderful people! The community that is established among the Summer Staff is also amazing to be a part of as the community is diverse in age, background and talents and built upon God's foundation of faith, support, encouragement, and love--such a rarity to find such a community in this day and age.

And of course, the luscious and bountiful beauty of the Adirondack Mountains that surround Camp Fowler remind you through the majestic sunsets, the ripple on the water, and the freshness of the air that God is present and encompasses us all. The echo of children's laughter, glory-filled singing that reverberates through the chapel, canoes that glide through the clear water, the feel of soil, rocks and twigs under hiking boots, a seat on a camper-crafted Adirondack chair, a glowing campfire and s'mores, palpable morning mist, simple tree-carved crosses and windchimes that sing of God's love. All of these things are Fowler. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to work on the Summer Staff at Fowler and would encourage everyone to stop, listen and hear the voice of God and if it is whispering "Go to Fowler"--follow that voice!!