When Joel Wilke talks about the most beautiful places in the country, his list begins with National and State Parks, then right after that come United Methodist camps. Joel spent much of his life surrounded by scenic views, but what makes UM camps stand out for him is the spirit that fills those sacred spaces: the hospitality, the laughter, and the sense of home that extends to every visitor, including his own family.

When Joel began directing Camp Horizon (KS) in 2010, he was looking for something more than a stunning view. Going into his first fall season, when his summer staff returned to college, the place grew quiet. Joel loved the ministry but longed for a broader circle; a community beyond his small staff team, a space to share ideas and dreams for the future of camp and retreat ministry. He hadn’t yet discovered how deep and wide that community could be.

That changed in 2011, when he attended his first UMCRM National Gathering. “I came in not knowing much about UMCRM,” he recalls. “I just knew I loved camp.” At that Gathering, Lu Harding pulled him aside and said he should serve on the UMCRM Board. That simple invitation changed the trajectory of his ministry. Elected to the Board in 2015, Joel found himself surrounded by what he calls “the best and brightest in the field,” colleagues who modeled healthy leadership and governance practices that he later brought home to Camp Horizon and to other nonprofit boards that he was a part of. Through UMCRM, he discovered a network that not only shared ideas but helped him stay grounded in purpose. He leaned into UMCRM’s R.A.I.N. acronym of Resource, Advocate, Inspire, and Network. Those guiding principles helped Horizon focus its long-term vision and stay true to its mission, rather than chasing opportunities that didn’t align with its call.

Over the years, Joel’s relationship with UMCRM has expanded beyond leadership development into something deeply personal. At the National Gathering at Lakeview in Texas, he attended with his entire family—his wife, kids, parents, and in-laws. “It was life-giving,” he says. “My family got to meet my colleagues and see what I love about this work.” That trip sparked a new tradition: taking his family to UM camps for vacations during school breaks. From the red canyons of Texas to the pine forests of Georgia, each site offered adventure, beauty, and a glimpse of the generosity that defines United Methodist camping and its community of leaders. His kids have been “spoiled by camp people named John” across the country—staff who opened closed activities or found their favorite cereal just to make them feel welcome.

For Joel, those visits are more than getaways, they are reminders that every UM camp is part of a larger family through the UMCRM network. They are places of joy and belonging, where beauty runs deeper than the landscape. That’s why he hopes others will find the same connection that transformed his journey. “At the next UMCRM event,” Joel says with a grin, “I want everyone to pull a Lu. Find someone new and give them that nudge to get involved.”

Because sometimes, all it takes is one invitation to open the door to something truly beautiful.