Listen to this article
Attending The Salvation Army Camp Daley gave teen Taylor Lewis-Williams a chance to discover herself, strengthen her faith and build confidence, enabling her to become a role model for others.
After enduring bullying since elementary school and coping with family deaths, lost friendships and anxiety that impacted her mental health, 17-year-old Taylor Lewis-Williams was ready for a break.
“I was going through a lot, and I was looking for an opportunity to address my feelings and obstacles,” Lewis-Williams said. “I knew the best way to do this was by reconnecting with myself and the Lord.”
She found this opportunity at camp.
Situated in the Malibu Canyon northwest of Los Angeles, The Salvation Army Lawrence M. Daley Camp and Conference Center, holds the campsites of Camp Daley, Camp Gilmore and Wilderness.
The camp welcomes some 2,000 campers during an average summer, including Lewis-Williams, who first attended Camp Daley in 2023.
“I was scared when I first got there because I didn’t know what to expect,” she said. “By the second day, I felt more comfortable and like it was a place where I could be myself.”
At camp, workshops about bullying and self-identity were valuable to her experience, she said.
“Now I know how to be confident in who I am and not let others bring me down,” she said.
After feeling a boost in confidence following her first camp session, Lewis-Williams attended a second Divisional Youth Retreat a few months later and returned to summer camp in 2023 as a staff member.
“I knew I was growing as a person because I began to understand God more,” Lewis-Williams said. “I also started to understand myself and my purpose. I knew I wanted to return to camp as staff to help make these experiences for campers.“
With aspirations to become a teacher, Lewis-Williams found herself bonding with the younger campers when she returned.
“I’ve always felt a special connection with kids,” she said. “A six-year-old camper missed her mom, and she felt comfortable coming to me as she was crying. I was able to hug her, calm her down and let her know she was safe.”
“I understand the younger kids because I struggled at their age. It makes me cry because I’m on the other side now, able to ensure a little one is being cared for.”
Taylor Lewis-Williams
She said this experience further affirmed her desire to become a teacher and her abilities to help others.
“It was a very healing experience for me,” Lewis-Williams said. “I understand the younger kids because I struggled at their age. It makes me cry because I’m on the other side now, able to ensure a little one is being cared for.”
Anjeanette Williams, Lewis-William’s mom, said she recognized growth in her daughter after each camp session.
“To see that a group of teens could gather and praise God together made her feel good,” Williams said. “Of course, that made me feel great because I’m seeing The Salvation Army impact my child’s life.”
Williams said a new group of friends from camp has continued to make a difference in her daughter’s overall mental health and self-esteem.
“She’s happier, and I know it’s because of her new friends from camp and their support and understanding of her connection to God,” Williams said.
Salvation Army Southern California Division Youth Coordinator Vivian Argumedo said witnessing youth grow in independence often leads to improvements in confidence and self-discovery.
“Taylor’s bubbly personality and eagerness to learn more really shined at camp,” she said. “We want campers to walk away with skills and lessons that they can pull from whenever they face challenges in the future.”
Divisional Camp Director Marty Brown described Lewis-Williams’ experience as the ideal outcome for camp participants.
“It’s fun to watch campers come out of their shell,” Brown said. “Camps are one of those places where you can’t hide who you are, so kids begin to open up, and are met with acceptance.”
Brown attributes the positive outcomes many campers experience to camp programming, activities and staff.
“We have a discipleship program where we work through understanding one’s identity in Christ and understanding who you are in the body of believers,” Brown said. “We instill lessons that campers can pull from years after camp.”
He said the discipleship program allows further conversations to emerge between campers and leaders during activities, like hiking, music and sports.
“We want the best for the kids,” he said.
Looking ahead, Lewis-Williams plans to attend camp as staff for the summer of 2024.
“I want to give to The Salvation Army for helping me discover myself and guiding my relationship with God,” Lewis-Williams said. “I want other kids to experience what camp can do for them.”
Do Good:
- Tell people who you are, what you’re passionate about and why you care. Find confidence, healing or simply the satisfaction of finding your voice, owning your story and sharing it with others. Sign up for our free email course and get started today.
Download this page as a PDF
