Where Young Faith Begins
Hezekiah Sharkey is (almost) eleven. Ask him what he loves about Fort, and he lights up:
“I love the craft shop. I love riding my bike around. And I really love the horses.”
He first came to camp with his parents when he was three. His most vivid memory? Wrangler’s Breakfast. “The horses are just such special, beautiful animals!”
After that first week, his mom says he talked about Fort, asked about Fort, or pretended to be at Fort every single day for nine straight months – most of his imaginary adventures involving horses.
When a child feels known, and loved, their faith has room to grow. Sometimes, it starts with horses.
This winter, Hezekiah took a big step of faith. From his allowance, he decided to give $103 to the stables project.
“Well… not quite $103,” he quickly clarifies. “My mom gave me a quarter to make it even.”
Why? He wanted the horses to have a good home.
But it’s more than that.
“Fort is a special place to me,” he says. “I am safe there.”
Hezekiah’s story is sweet, but it’s not unusual.
When kids are given space to grow and be deeply cared for, something shifts. Faith moves from borrowed to personal.
Every summer, we watch God move this same way again and again.
Cultivating Space to Learn & Grow
They may remember the s’mores… but it’s the truth shared here that lasts.
In just a few months, new young campers will come to Fort and experience Youth Camp (available for kids entering 3rd through 12th grade) for the first time. Some are eager, others unsure, many carrying questions they haven’t quite put into words.
Jordan Koehn, Fort’s Youth Camp Director, often reminds us, “When kids step away from the noise of life and feel safe, loved, and cared for, they’re open to the gospel.”
Families whose children attended youth camp in 2025 echo the same:
“My 8-year-old accepted Jesus at camp.”
“He’s reading his Bible on his own.”
“Best experience of her LIFE.”
“She came home with new confidence and deeper faith.”
We know God has plans for our Summer 2026 Youth Camps. If this sounds like something you’d like your child or grandchild to experience, this is a wonderful time to say “yes” to Youth Camp. Spots are filling quickly – register today!
God uses the simple moments at Youth Camp to impact lives for eternity.
The Kingdom of Heaven… Right Here
Kids at camp: welcomed in, and growing in confidence and faith.
When I think about Hezekiah saving his allowance, or the way God will move in hearts of young people at camp this summer, I’m reminded of Jesus’ words:
“Let the little children come to me… for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14)
The kingdom of heaven doesn’t always look like grand, dramatic gestures. Sometimes it looks like a child learning generosity. Sometimes it sounds like honest questions around a campfire. Other times, it grows quietly, in a place where a child is safe enough to believe.
Jesus didn’t overlook children. He welcomed them. He made space for them.
We can’t force faith in our kids, but we can make room for it. We can create environments where they are known, loved, and invited to follow Him.
And when we do, we catch glimpses of the kingdom… not someday, but right here.
Praying for your kids, and mine,
Heather
Heather Lenox
Content Development Coordinator
heatherlenox@fortwilderness.com
715.277.2587
fortwilderness.com
