Camp Highlight - Jacob & Tanner

Shelley Pearson • February 19, 2020
Jacob and Tanner are two east metro high school students who attended FCA Regional Sports Camp in Iowa and FCA Leadership Camp in Minnesota. They also helped lead FCA mini sports camps for younger students at local partnering churches.

Regional Sports Camp - At Sports Camp, Jacob and Tanner worked on their baseball skills with other Christian baseball players while other athletes worked on their sports. They enjoyed learning from solid coaches while also hearing great messages and bonding with their huddles. One of Jacob’s favorite memories was the day the speaker wore a Packers tuxedo and asked for a student volunteer to wear a Vikings onesie. Jacob took the challenge and wore it throughout the day, even while playing his sport. It’s a year later, “and it still fits,” Jacob said. 

Local Mini Sports Camps - FCA partners with several local churches to run sports camps for older elementary and middle school students. Jacob and Tanner volunteered as huddle leaders last summer and enjoyed being able to pour into younger students the way their huddle coaches and leaders had poured into them at Regional Sports Camp. They were excited to see kids become more passionate about Jesus and grow in confidence and skill as they tried out different sports and games.

Student athletes in group huddled together smiling at the camera in front of a brick wall.

FCA Leadership Camp – This was the highlight of all camps for both Jacob and Tanner. They played a lot of games that were variations of sports, like football with a giant ball, baseball with a t-ball bat and kickball, and a snake game that fostered immediate bonding among the huddles as each “snake” tried to steal a flag from the other huddles while protecting their own. Jacob and Tanner enjoyed connecting with others in a way they are not able to during the school year. One of Tanner’s favorite memories was during a game where it appeared that Jacob ran over a girl in order to win a game. When asked about it, Jacob laughed and quickly said, “I did not knock her down.” And after a pause he said, “But I did win.”


Camps are Great for Everyone! Both Jacob and Tanner said that camps are a great way to get out of their comfort zones while bonding with other students and growing in their walks with God. They enjoyed the spiritual conversations they had with their huddles and noted that everyone they came across at FCA camps was authentic and kind. They encourage all 7th-12th graders to go to Regional Sports Camp and help out with the local mini sports camps and all 10th-12th graders to attend Leadership Camp. Below is the information for camps. Mark your calendars, and watch for registration in February.
FCA holds a number of different camps each summer, and we would love if you would make one or more of them a part of your summer as well. Camps leave a lasting impact on those who attend. More information will be available soon, and registration begins in February. Mark your calendars now as you begin to make plans for your family’s summer.

Male athletes running on track course toward the camera, low angle view.

Regional Sports Camp – June 29-July 2

This overnight camp is held at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, and is designed for the student athlete in grades 7-12. Students choose their sport (tennis, cross country, soccer, basketball, baseball, football, swimming, volleyball, or softball) and spend the week honing skills and growing in their relationships with God. All levels of sports abilities are invited. The cost of the camp is $385. Transportation will be available from the Twin Cities Metro Area.
Young athletes with high school leader cheering with arms in the air holding camp sign that says 'Let's Go'

Local Mini Sports Camps 

These camps are a little like VBS but with sports for older elementary students who will spend the week playing sports and active games while learning how to connect God to our play. This is a high energy camp. Click here for more details about our local sports camps.
Female athletes standing in circle on baseball field holding hands in prayer.

Minnesota Leadership Camp – July 30-Aug 2

Held on the campus of the University of Northwestern – St. Paul, this overnight camp is for current and potential Christian student leaders. Campers will grow spiritually and learn to lead well in their sports, schools, families, and churches. This is also an active camp, be prepared to sweat playing fun, interactive sports and games. Minnesota FCA will cover the first $100 for all Minnesota students, making the camp only $99 per camper. This is the best value of the summer.

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