Leading with faith

St. Paul and Camp Shalom have long been intertwined with camp starting out of St. Paul as an outdoor ministry center in the 1970s. More than 50 years later, Camp Shalom continues to attract kids and families, both as campers and as camp staff. This summer alone, eight St. Paul young people are helping to lead the camp experience and make it a memorable, faith-filled summer for others. St. Paul members Ellie Holdorf and Shelby Juehring are among those leaders.

Ellie Holdorf
Camp Counselor
For recent West High School graduate Ellie Holdorf, summer has always meant more than sunshine and sports—it’s meant Camp Shalom. From her earliest days at Family Camp to her upcoming role as a counselor, Ellie’s camp experience has been a defining part of her life.

Ellie is navigating gracefully through lots of changes this summer. She’s walking the stage at graduation from Davenport West High School, preparing for college at Iowa State University, and taking on the new job of camp counselor at Camp Shalom.

Ellie has been active in St. Paul youth ministries, attending youth group known as Sunday Night Live (SNL) nearly every weekend and participating in mission trips. Both youth group and camp have taught Ellie a lot about helping other people and giving back, and that’s exactly what Ellie is doing this summer.

“I don’t think I’d have the same faith now if it wasn’t for Camp Shalom. It’s a good escape in the summer especially when you’re young and figuring out what faith is and what it might look like as you grow,” Ellie said. “Camp Shalom helped me figure out who I am and what I want to do. I want to be the kind of counselor that helps kids feel safe, have fun, and grow in their faith.”

That spirit of fun and connection is what inspired Ellie to become a counselor this summer. After talking with St. Paul youth director and former camp employee Ellie Lindmark, she realized it was the perfect opportunity.

“This position at Camp Shalom is perfect. I couldn’t think of anything I’d rather be doing this summer. I’ve always looked up to the counselors I’ve had. They were incredibly kind, even if they weren’t your counselor. I want to be that person for someone else,” Ellie said. “I know this will be a difficult job that challenges me a lot and helps me grow my faith by helping others. I’m nervous and excited for what this summer holds.”

Before she heads to Iowa State University to study biology, possibly on the path to becoming a physical therapist or physician’s assistant, Ellie will spend her summer helping campers grow in their faith, just as she did. Her favorite Bible verse, Hebrews 11:1, guides her: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”

“I love that Hebrews verse because it’s a great reminder of what faith is. Even when you can’t see it, you’ve got to believe,” Ellie said. “That’s really important to remember throughout life.”

Shelby Juehring
Mini-camp coordinator and counselor

For Shelby Juehring, Camp Shalom isn’t just a summer job it’s a place to learn more about herself and grow. A Pleasant Valley High School graduate and Iowa State University student, Shelby first experienced camp in a similar way to Ellie Holdorf— through Family Camp. Since then, she’s climbed the camp ladder from camper to assistant counselor to this year’s role as Minis Coordinator and counselor, guiding second and third graders through, what is often, their first taste of camp life.

Shelby brings her love for kids, the outdoors, and her faith into every corner of camp.

“What don’t I love about camp? Some of my fondest childhood memories are from Camp Shalom. You’re not only connecting with God and others, but you learn a lot about yourself. It changes you in unexpected ways,” Shelby said. “Each week, you feel more connected to God, to others, and to yourself. Everyone on staff at Camp Shalom is a little unique, and it can be difficult to find a community of people so open and authentic.”

Her journey hasn’t always been easy.

“I was one of those anxious campers who didn’t want to be away from my parents. Now I get to help kids through that same fear and watch them grow,” Shelby said. “Kids will often come to camp in tears, not wanting to be away from home, but they usually leave with tears in their eyes because they don’t want to leave.”

Shelby’s confirmation verse, Luke 10:27, is her compass: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” That message of love and connection is something she lives out daily.

“You don’t realize how connected you’ll feel to these campers,” she says. “You start off as strangers, and by the end, you truly care about them. We all have enough love for ourselves; we’ve got to share it with others. That’s even easier to practice at camp. I met one of my best friends at camp. We didn’t know each other at all before that summer. She isn’t from the area so there’s no way we would have met otherwise. A lot of special things happen at camp.”

Whether she’s leading worship, playing games, or just being a listening ear, Shelby’s heart for service shines.

“Bugs aside, I think everything about camp is perfect,” Shelby said.

Congratulations to St. Paul member Tom Bley as he retired from Camp Shalom this past March. Tom was the Executive Director and part-time bus driver at Camp Shalom for more than a decade.

Family Camp at Camp Shalom
As Ellie and Shelby prepare for a summer of service, they’re looking forward to Family Camp. Running the weekends of June 20–22 and July 18–20, Family Camp offers a weekend of worship, games, canoeing, crafts, and connection for all ages.

Whether it’s roasting marshmallows, hiking the Maquoketa Caves, or simply enjoying a quiet moment by the river, Family Camp is a reminder of what makes Camp Shalom so special: community, faith, and the joy of being together.

To learn more or register, visit campshalomia.org.