For Micah Barnes, Redwood Christian Park (RCP) has never been just a destination. It has been part of his childhood. Summer after summer, his parents packed up the car and came back. As the years passed and their family grew, one thing remained the same, they kept coming back. 

He remembers afternoons splashing in the pool, ice cream melting faster than it could be eaten, and the excitement of racing down the slides before gathering with friends for snacks. Over time, RCP became a place that felt familiar and safe, where fun came easily and community felt natural.

For years, Micah only experienced RCP through those childhood moments. It was a place to play, not a place to work. That perspective shifted one day when his sister said “Did you know RCP is hiring summer staff?” 

“The thought of coming back here and serving the community that served me for so long was a really cool idea,” Micah shared.

Micah eagerly submitted the application not fully knowing what the summer might hold. What once felt unthinkable began to feel meaningful. Returning not just to enjoy RCP, but to serve the community that had given him so much.

During the summer, Micah stepped into the daily rhythm of camp life.  Leading children’s activities, serving meals, facilitating rock wall, archery, cleaning cabins, and assisting guests. The days were busy and sometimes tiring, but they were meaningful. Working alongside other staffers led to shared laughs and inside jokes. Carrying responsibilities together built trust, and simple conversations at the end of the day helped form lasting friendships.

“I have loved it here,” Micah said. “The whole staff is like a family.”

What began as a single summer on staff eventually grew into something more. Micah went from serving one summer to becoming part of the permanent RCP team.

Surrounded by the redwoods and immersed in a community centered on Christ, Micah began to experience his faith in a new way. Serving others daily reshaped how he saw leadership, humility, and purpose. 

RCP had once been the place of fond childhood memories. Now, it has become part of his spiritual story, not just a place he visited, but a place that helped shape who he is becoming.

For decades, Redwood Christian Park has been a place where generations grow in their faith and build lasting relationships. For Micah, that legacy feels deeply personal. And one day, he hopes to continue it.

“I would love to bring my family back here in the future,” he said.

Interested in becoming a summer staffer? Spend your summer growing in your faith, building meaningful relationships, and serving in the Santa Cruz redwoods. Learn more and apply here.