From "I Never Go Outside" to "I Want to Be Outside All the Time!"

Karen Grub, Director T.R.A.C Ohio Valley, WV 

When planning 2026 girls’ T.R.A.C., we decided to try something new—a fishing tournament. None of us knew how it would be received, but we thought it would be a fun way for campers to experience God's creation together. 

On Friday, fishing was included as one of our activity rotations. We also announced that any fish caught before the tournament officially closed would count toward the competition. 

The response exceeded every expectation. 

The excitement didn't end when Friday's activities were over. Campers planned to wake up at 5:00 a.m. the next morning, so they could get to the lake by 5:30 a.m. More than half of the girls voluntarily headed to the lake to keep fishing. No one had to convince them to go. They wanted to be there. 

Those early morning hours became about much more than fishing. Relationships deepened. Conversations happened naturally. Laughter echoed across the water. Campers slowed down long enough to enjoy God's creation and each other's company. Some of the most meaningful memories of the weekend were made before most people were even awake. 

One camper's story captured the heart of the weekend. 

One of our facilitators shared that she had quietly told him, "I never go outside."

As the weekend unfolded, something began to change. 

During the challenge course, the facilitator invited his team to pause for thirty seconds in complete silence and simply listen to the sounds of God's creation. One of the camp counselors later shared what a powerful moment that was for the entire team. 

Later, during the fishing tournament, this same camper caught two bass. 

By the end of camp, the transformation was unmistakable. 

The young lady who had once said, "I never go outside," was now excitedly saying, "I want to be outside all the time!" She couldn't wait to get home and ask her dad to take her fishing. 

Before camp ended, the facilitator asked me if there was any way the camper could take a fishing pole home. 

What he didn't know was that God had already gone before us. 

Two fishing poles had been donated to camp.  I was waiting to see what God wanted to do. So, we created a special recognition and presented one of the donated fishing poles to her during our closing ceremonies on Sunday. 

What looked like a simple fishing pole became so much more. It represented the opportunity to continue enjoying God's creation, create new memories with her father, and carry home a reminder that people believed in her and were cheering her on. 

The story didn't end there. 

After camp, Beth, one of our behavioral specialists, received a text message from her family. 

They couldn't believe the difference they were seeing. They shared how excited she was and wanted to know if there were other opportunities where she could continue growing and being involved. 

Our immediate thought was T.R.A.C.life, and we are hoping to connect her with a mentor. We also shared other church camp opportunities. We are praying for God's direction as He continues writing the next chapter of her story. 

What makes this even more remarkable is that just one month before camp, we weren't sure she would even be able to attend.

God took a camper who almost didn't make it to camp... 

...helped her discover the peace of His creation... 

...sparked a love for the outdoors... 

...provided a fishing pole to encourage that new passion... 

...and sent her home with renewed excitement, fresh hope, and a family asking, "What's next?"

Sometimes ministry looks like a fishing tournament. 

Sometimes it looks like thirty seconds of silence. 

Sometimes it looks like a donated fishing pole. 

But more often, ministry is simply creating opportunities for God to do what only He can do. 

This weekend, we had the privilege of watching Him do exactly that.