January 27, 2016

Sound View Camp
8515 Key Peninsula Hwy S.
Longbranch, WA 98351

My son, Kristan, is a High Energy Physicist. As his mom, I am extremely proud of my son and his accomplishments.

Here is a link to Kristan’s citations: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=L19p5fcAAAAJ&hl=en

I am even more proud of the man Kristan has become, largely because of the influence of Sound View Camp. He was 13 and in high school when I signed him up as a LIT for two weeks. At that time, he was consumed with using a computer and reading. After one week at camp, he came home a different child. I could tell immediately that something had changed. He showed interest in people and other things began to occupy his time. He not only continued to volunteer as a LIT, but when on to hold many staff positions. All through high school, college, and graduate school, he continued to work at the camp and enjoyed running the ropes course.

Kristan has maintained many camp relationships over the years, has been asked to be in wedding parties, went on to develop many relationships in his university undergraduate years and ultimately the PhD program. Kristan developed a love for the outdoors, hiking, and camping. None of this would have been possible without the influence of Sound View. He and his lovely wife lived in Victoria for three years while he was on a post doc fellowship. They noticed that the church they attended had many college students and no program for them. He and his wife began a weekly ministry, feeding the students in their small apartment, and taking them on hiking day trips. By the time they left Canada, the meetings were held at the church because 25 students were in attendance. That ministry is still ongoing because Kristan and Sheena trained student leaders.

Kristan is looking forward to mentoring students at his new position as a professor at San Francisco State University. He maintains his Christian testimony in a very elite field, and is professionally as well as on a personal level, living a balanced life. I contend this would not have happened without the influence of Sound View Camp. I will be forever grateful to the Presbytery, the directors, and the staff of Sound View.

I hope that the Olympia Presbytery will consider the impact of Sound View Camp and allow it to exist for decades to come. You have a tremendous amount of support, financial and otherwise, as well as love for the camp. There is an emotional aspect that is difficult to explain. Camp is a very important part of a child’s life. Christian Camps are rare and so very needed, especially in today’s society. Our children need support and a safe environment to develop character while being grounded Biblically. Sound View provides this and so much more in a loving atmosphere.

Blessings to all of you.
Sincerely yours,
Linda Jensen

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