When camp REALLY feels like family
Camp Ewalu has often seen family members serving together on summer staff, and the summer of 2026 has brought together three sisters who have long hoped to have the opportunity to work together on staff.
Rachel Meehan, the oldest at age 23, graduated from Luther College in 2025 and now works as a high school choir teacher during the school year. She is the program assistant this summer at camp. Ruth Meehan, age 22, is a 2026 Luther College graduate and is serving as Ewalu’s health officer. Rounding out the trio is Clara Meehan, age 18, who will be a first-year student at Luther this fall and is a counselor this summer.
The Meehan family’s roots at Ewalu started a generation earlier. “Our mother (Sarah) was a camper in the ’70s and ’80s at Ewalu,” said Rachel. “I remember spending a day each winter hiking around camp in the snow with our family, exploring all of the trails and structures around camp.” The family’s home church, Zion Lutheran in Iowa City, was strongly connected to camp and hosted Ewalu staff for its day camps in summer. “As a kid I remember being involved with camp in that way and absolutely loved it,” said Rachel.
One sister hated camp at first
For middle sister Ruth, it was not love at first sight with Ewalu. “When I first went to Mini Camp, I hated it. I told my parents I never wanted to go back. My parents encouraged me to try again, but I was having none of it,” she said. “My parents have said that they were unsure if making me go back was the right decision, but ultimately I am so glad they did. I hated my week of Explorers up until Thursday night. Then something switched and I decided that I loved camp, and I have been back every summer since.”
For Clara, who also started coming as a Mini Camper, there was just something special about being at Ewalu. “Camp was always a safe and fun space that I looked forward to all year,” she said. “I always felt like the church taught me the stories of the Bible, but Ewalu taught me my faith.”
High school LT program was formative
The high school Leadership Training (LT) program was especially formative for Rachel, the oldest. “I’ve met some of my best friends as an LT, and found it so much fun to finally have some more responsibility around camp and get to interact more with the staff members, people I desperately looked up to,” she said. One night during campfire as an LT, she decided to one day become the LT coordinator herself, a dream that came true in 2024, with sister Clara being among the LTs that year. “I found so much joy in watching them grow in their leadership, make meaningful connections with campers, and just shine in their own beautiful ways,” she said. “I am now honored to be on staff with eight of them! They continue to inspire and impress me every day.”
The transition from camper to counselor keeps inspiring Ruth. As an LT in 2020, she got to co-counsel with a group of Explorers. “It was a crazy experience going from a camper and looking up to all the staff, to becoming a ‘counselor’ and having campers look up to me,” she said. “Some of my Explorers from that week are still coming to camp and it has been so fun seeing them grow up over the years as well. I felt so reassured that being at camp was what I was being called to do.”
Camp creates a special bond
The sisters’ shared experiences at Ewalu have deepened their bond. “Ewalu has always served as a connector between me and my sisters,” said Clara. “We loved performing camp songs and skits for our families and teaching the graces before dinners.”
“It was always a fun week at camp when all three sisters were on site,” recalled Ruth. “Rachel, Clara and I would always pray together at the Wednesday night campfire and I remember how impactful that was as a kid.”
As the older two sisters enter their careers as educators, they are taking along lots of skills from their time on summer staff. “I am very grateful that my dream summer job was also the best training for my career,” said Ruth, who will be student-teaching this fall.
As a new teacher, Rachel said camp has shaped her for success. “Camp taught me about the impact of servant leadership, showing up consistently every day, being adaptable, and the importance of creating an environment where everyone is encouraged to grow.”
The chance to work together on summer staff is a time they will all treasure. “I love getting to be on staff with my sisters,” said Ruth, in her fifth year on staff. “This is something that we had dreamed of doing but weren’t sure if it would happen. I am very grateful that we were able to make it work this summer!”
Rachel is in her sixth year on summer staff and is soaking up every moment. “Being a part of the Ewalu camp community is such a unique experience, so having my sisters to walk alongside me is so special and something I will always remember.”
