As a youth, Jarrett Snider had spent summers at Lakeshore Camp & Retreat Center in Tennessee, where he first heard his call to ministry. “I was floating on the lazy river in the pool at Lakeshore,” he remembers, “just talking with my counselor about what I wanted to do with my life, and I realized God was calling me.” Over the years, he volunteered, joined the summer staff, and eventually served in leadership roles that rooted him in the rhythms and theology of camp ministry. But after a season in local church youth ministry, he found himself longing for the deeper connection and clarity he had experienced at camp.
After serving at United Methodist camps in Missouri and at Camp Lake Stephens (MS), Jarrett stepped into a new role at Manidokan Camp & Retreat Center, unsure of what he’d find. It was a smaller site than where he’d served before, nestled in the mountains of Maryland with a different pace and program structure. But what he discovered there was something familiar—and transformative. Even though the context was different, he could tell right away: this was still United Methodist camping. The same values that inspired him at previous UM camps were at Manidokan, as well. He soon realized why.
At Manidokan, Jarrett not only stepped into a new role—he stepped into the wider connection of the UMCRM community. His Director, Meredith, fostered a culture of continuous learning. She invited him to attend the Southeastern Jurisdiction Gathering, the UMCRM National Gathering, and to visit other camps to see how different leaders approached similar work. Through those experiences, Jarrett began to see more clearly the thread that runs through United Methodist camps across the country – a thread fostered by the UMCRM Association.
Being part of the UMCRM network helped him realize that even though he had served in different parts of the country, Jarrett felt the same spirit at every United Methodist camp. There’s a commitment to intentional Christian hospitality, a way of doing ministry that’s rooted in theology, and a connectional culture that makes you feel like you’re not alone.
That realization was more than comforting—it was empowering. In contrast to the siloed nature of past ministry experiences, where he often felt isolated, Jarrett found camp ministry to be collaborative and life-giving. UMCRM has been a vital platform for Jarrett to connect with other camp professionals. "The relationships that leaders really need to thrive in ministry,” he says, ”are fostered through ILGs (Intentional Leadership Groups), conferences, and learning opportunities.”
Today, as he serves at Manidokan, Jarrett is helping to shape new faith experiences for young people while staying grounded in the connection that helped shape him. His journey is a testament to the power of the UMCRM network to not only support leaders but to remind them that wherever they go, they’re still part of the same beloved community.