I went to camp for my first year this year after my great grandmother recommended it for my little brother. I wanted to go and our parents signed both of us up. We just couldn’t wait to go. Finally the week came and I was excited as ever. I was signed up for Digital Photography and Archery. Being at camp brought me closer to God and it was an experience I could never forget!!
Trevor Pestrue
My memories of camp represent some of the best moments of my childhood. While it’s true that I had an amazing family which consisted of wonderful parents as well as taxing but fiercely loyal brothers, camp filled a wonderful hole in my heart. I didn’t know all of this at 8 years of age of course. In fact, my first year was quite interesting to say the least. As my parents drove down the road which lead to camp, my mind was a blur of thoughts and worries. They were going to leave me at this place for a whole week! How would I survive! Would they feed me? The fire of my imagination fed the apprehension. When I got out of the car, my legs seemed to shake under me. I was so nervous! Then I heard a tall man approach and a big voice bent down to me on my level and said “Welcome to camp Trevor!” I won’t say that was the end of my concern. Still, it represented the first inkling to me that I would have an amazing time and would come away with treasured memories. It was the one place where my abilities were emphasized over my disabilities. I am a person of many talents and interests. Yet many times in the ordinary world, my total blindness from birth is often seen as my most visible trait. For one week out of the year, I knew that was not an issue for the majority of people around me.
I am not an evangelical literal believer in the word of God. Still, the counselors and staff made sure to impress upon us their very sincere, real devotion to Christ and his power in their lives. I came away with a profound respect and a very real hope that future generations of children (both blind and sighted) could experience those peaceful, fun moments which shaped me during some of the most crucial periods of my childhood.
Garrett Kossick
Growing up as a kid, my mom would take my brothers and I to family camp. We did it two summers in a row and it was always a blast. I remember a teacher I had at the Nature Center, I think his name was Stephen?? We’d go out in the woods and look for amphibions and all that good stuff. Now that I’m a grown man, I wish that I could somehow get in contact with him. Also, I made some good friendships. One in particular, a girl named Ashley, was awesome… Too bad I don’t remember her last name because she was HOT! 
If anybody knows a staff member at the nature center named Stephen and an African American girl named Ashley from Cleveland, OH that were at family camp in 2000. I’d like to get back in touch with them. Camp Au Sable rocks!
Hannah Hoffman
I have had a wonderful 5 years at camp. I have grown closer to Jesus and made lots of friends that i will always try to keep in contact with. The staff is awsome and I love the view and the fresh air that you get up there. My life has been touched by the generosity of the staff and putting in their full effort i to makeing camp the best time of our lifes.
Love you all,
Hannah
Glenda Smith-DeShazer
Camp was an amazing experience for me. I meet so many different people. Learned so many different things. Still didn’t learn how to swim, only because I was too afraid. The canoe rides, wow, that was so scary for me but it was still fun. The hike to the fort and the overnight stay there, that was a blast! I probably would have never went if it wasn’t for my childhood friend Krissy Patrick.
Mihaela Morgan
I’ve been going to Camp Au Sable for 7 years now and it’s been an amazing experience… I love the way all the staff are so nice and there to help you get through something whether it’s a project or if you need guidance on something…:D I believe that if you would look around you would believe that heaven is like Camp Au Sable… I will miss not going to Camp this year so much but i hope to be able to work at camp very soon…
Lynda North Buchholz
Camp Au Sable is one of the best memories I have growing up! I had my own horse, and a good life at home, but the wonderful week at camp was incredible each summer, a spiritual mountain top to never be forgotten. I’m sure it helped me become the outdoor enthusiast that I am also.
Jan Sawyer was one of my counselors. I still have my Steps to Christ with the personal inscription that she gave each of us. I can’t remember the other gals that had my cabins really, but they were nice. There were lots of Slickers on staff during those days. I’ll always fondly remember the campfires looking out over the lake and shouting, “Hold the Fort!” I love Camp Au Sable! Made me cry to look at your pictures, though they are very different. Do you still have the enormous canoe hanging up in the craft building and the wonderful big dinning lodge above the beach?
Larry Blackmer
In a recent North American Division survey, summer camp experience was one of the strongest factors in common with all levels of church employees. I am in that catagory. I was a public high school student looking for summer work. I applied to work at camp, and for some reason, only known by God, I was accepted. That decision has changed my life. I enjoyed young people and became a teacher, and have served the Adventist Church ever since.
It was one of the best times of my life. The friends we made and the memories and stories are still told every time we see each other. But most of all it was a time of spiritual commitment and renewal.
I was at camp again just two weeks ago, March of 2010, as a guest speaker. Every time I come back, the memories and the commitment are reenforced.
Best wishes to all of my friends and campers from the past 35 years! God bless!
David Yeagley
It was my privilege to spend 19 summers at Camp Au Sable between 1983 and 2003, with only two summers off … one to get married and the other for Seminary. I spent most of that time as program director, producing many campfire plays and dramas that have been used all over the country. My favorite time at camp was after the Friday night program as campers gave their lives to Christ. Camp Au Sable was my spiritual home all through high school and into my years of pastoring. Walking the boardwalk around the lake has resulted in many life-changing moments for me. Most importantly those walks have led me to serve as the Washington Conference Youth Director and Director of Sunset Lake Camp. It’s been 25 years of camp ministry for me this summer … and I’m still loving every minute of it.
Judy Harrington Perry
Camp AuSable was where I grew up in my teen years. I met lifelong friends and married another Camp Staff member Terry Harrington. We talk often and fondly of camp and now that we are retired perhaps one day our truck and horse trailer will stop by and ride the trails again.