In 1996, our neighbors – fresh from their first trip to Fort – asked our son, Payton, about going to camp. He responded, “We don’t camp. My dad is a businessman.” A year later, we went to Fort and – like so many others – caught the bug for this special place in the Northwoods: where God’s Word is shared, there is an abundance of fun, relationships grow with family, campers, and staff, and you create memories for a lifetime!
Five years later, our then thirteen-year-old son, Payton, passed away after a thirty-three-day battle with sepsis. Our prayer was for the Lord to be glorified through this difficult trial. We could never anticipate how the Lord would answer our prayer.
In 2016, the Lord further revealed His plans for us and His glorious unfolding as we were called to Fort and for me to lead camp and Robyn to become the camp nurse, with her office located in Payton’s Place, a medical infirmary built in his memory, and working for Paul Ziolkowski who led the project.
I am confident God has an incredible story for you! I have heard countless ways God has worked in the lives of so many of our Fort families. If you are considering camp for the first time, please consider a trip to Fort to enjoy His beautiful creation, warm Christian fellowship, and adventure programs while drawing closer to Him through the gifted teachers of His word. It may just change your life – it did for us!
