Kid Volunteer Spotlight: Amelia Tiemann

One thing that makes Lighthouse Family Retreat so special is that families serve together, and kids especially play an important role on the volunteer team. They not only get to serve in the traditional sense—carrying plates, cleaning spaces—but their most important role is hanging out with all the other kids and creating a fun, welcoming environment for the kids of the Retreat Families. We thought it would be fun to interview some of these rock stars and share their insight and experience with you!

HOW OLD ARE YOU? 12

HOW MANY RETREATS HAVE YOU ATTENDED?

This summer makes eight!

WHO USUALLY COMES TO SERVE AT LIGHTHOUSE WITH YOU?

Julie (Mom), Mike (Dad), Lily (Little Sister) and occasionally we bring other family members/friends

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE EVENT AT LIGHTHOUSE, AND WHY?

I love the talent show, because everyone gets to perform something with their friends, and we get to watch some fun performances too! It's always very eventful...

TELL ME ABOUT A FRIEND YOU MADE AT LIGHTHOUSE. WHO WERE THEY? HOW DID YOU CONNECT? WHAT DID YOU LIKE TO DO TOGETHER? ARE YOU STILL IN TOUCH?

I made a friend named Claire, who is the sibling of a child with cancer - so she was a member of a retreat family. She is my sister's age, so I'm pretty sure we met her through Flip Flop. We hung out together, and we did the talent show together—it was super fun. We're still in touch and she's going to serve with us this summer, which is crazy!

TELL ME ABOUT YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY FROM ANY LIGHTHOUSE TRIP YOU'VE TAKEN.

I loved performing in the Talent Show that one year when it was indoors because of rain. We did "This is Me" from The Greatest Showman. We did a fun dance routine, and I just remember having a lot of fun learning and performing the dance!

WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU DO WELL AT LIGHTHOUSE? WHAT GIFTS/TALENTS/QUALITIES DO YOU PERSONALLY BRING TO THE TEAM?

I like to help out by filling up drink cups with water, tea, or lemonade! I like to think that I do well with hanging out with kids my own age.

HOW DO YOU THINK YOUR LIFE IS DIFFERENT BECAUSE YOU'VE SERVED AT LIGHTHOUSE?

It has made me a better person, more willing to serve, and kinder.

WHY WOULD YOU TELL OTHER KIDS THEY SHOULD COME SERVE AT LIGHTHOUSE?

I would tell them that it is the most fun, relaxing, humbling experience to come and serve. You make friends you'll never forget.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE ABOUT LIGHTHOUSE THAT YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE?

*clap clap clap* *clap clap clap* YES