Baylor Students Shine Light Through Service on Summer Trips

Baylor students have committed their time, talents and energy to serve others around the globe — in summer camps and through mission trips.

From lifeguarding at Sky Ranch in Van, Texas, to leading worship in Maine, more than 500 Baylor University students are serving at summer camps throughout the country. Nearly half of these students are serving at Pine Cove’s three Texas locations while others serve at camps such as Kanakuk.
“We recognize that these are incredible leadership and development opportunities for our students, which also happen to serve a beautiful Christian mission while ensuring that students have the opportunity to build community and friendships along the way,” said Baylor's Director of Student Activities Matt Burchett, PhD.
Baylor took steps to encourage, support and celebrate the students who serve at camps, including hosting an inaugural commissioning ceremony in May. Burchett said he was moved
by how camp directors described Baylor students who serve with them – their hearts for Jesus, their willingness to serve and their enthusiasm.
“The way they’re talking about our students – if I wasn’t a fan of Baylor already, I think I would quickly become one,” Burchett said. “It made me really proud to be a part of Baylor University and certainly proud of our students.”
Other students participated in summer mission trips that took them to 13 different countries and domestic locations across the state of Texas, as well as Washington, D.C. Each team had a discipline-specific or interdisciplinary focus to their trip, actively integrating their faith with service and learning. These trips are
designed for students to not only enjoy their experience on the mission field, but also to discover a sense of vocation and calling as they see first-hand how they can use their discipline to serve.
Jasmine Stovall, a graduate student in environmental science, participated in the May trip to Ghana. Students on this trip worked alongside teachers in the village of Kyerekrom Roman Catholic Primary School and participated in cultural sharing activities which centered on literacy and building reading comprehension. All members of the team participated in a community health fair in which care packages were disseminated. Students also supported Kyerekrom by providing school supplies and additional books for the school and community libraries.
“My trip to Ghana was truly a unique, remarkable and holistic experience. The highlight of my trip was the time we spent at Kyerekrom RC Primary where I got to teach 6th graders about environmental sustainability! Seeing those young, vibrant minds get excited about something that I am truly passionate about gave me hope for the next generation,” said Stovall. “Although I was the teacher, whether they knew it or not, I learned a great deal from them as well. I feel extremely blessed for having had this opportunity to combine my love for science, education and service for a purpose greater than myself.”
By choosing to spend their summers serving others, Baylor students are shining their light brightly as they embody the University’s enduring spirit of service.