Pick Up Your Crayons: Rediscovering the Joy of Creativity

During our Fall 2026 Lakeside Pottery Retreat at Camp Fellowship, I had a conversation with someone that has stuck with me ever since. Our retreat brought together people from Connecticut, Texas, Virginia, Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina, all gathering to connect, learn, and explore their creativity. In the middle of a weekend centered around creativity, learning, and making something with our hands, one person shared a thought that was simple but so meaningful:

“As kids, we are given crayons and told to be creative, and at some point, we put the crayons down and lose our creativity.”

I have found myself thinking about that statement over and over again. Isn't it true? As children, we are encouraged to color outside the lines, make a mess, try something new, and let our imaginations run wild. We don't worry too much about whether our artwork is perfect or whether we are doing something the right way. We simply create because it brings us joy.

But somewhere along the way, things change. Life gets busy. Responsibilities pile up. We become focused on work, family, schedules, and all the things we feel like we should be doing. We convince ourselves that we aren't artistic, that we aren't good at certain things, or that we simply don't have time to try something new. We begin to believe that creativity belongs to childhood, and we leave our crayons behind.

What if we picked them back up?

What if we gave ourselves permission to be beginners again? To explore something unfamiliar, learn a new skill, make mistakes, and enjoy the process without worrying about the finished product?

I find so much joy and peace in creating and learning new skills. There is something special about slowing down, working with your hands, and allowing yourself to focus on something new. Whether it is working with pottery, trying a new craft, or discovering a talent you never knew you had, these experiences remind us how wonderful it feels to learn and grow. They give us space to breathe, to be present, and to reconnect with parts of ourselves that we may have forgotten.

And that is one of the things I love about Camp Fellowship.

Camp is not just a place for children to come during the summer. It is a place where people of all ages can explore, connect, and grow. Through retreats, conferences, creative workshops, outdoor adventures, and other camp experiences, there are opportunities for people to step outside their everyday routines and try something different.

Sometimes, growth happens when we challenge ourselves to do something we have never done before. Sometimes, connection happens when we sit around a table with people we may not have otherwise met and share an experience together. And sometimes, we find peace in the simple act of creating something with our own two hands.

Our Lakeside Pottery Retreat was a beautiful reminder of that. It was an opportunity to slow down, learn, create, and enjoy the process alongside others. It reminded me that we never outgrow the opportunity to discover something new about ourselves or the world around us.

I think we could all use a little more of that in our lives.

We don't have to be artists to create. We don't have to be experts to learn. We don't have to wait until we have more time, more confidence, or more experience to try something new. We simply have to be willing to pick up the crayons again.

So, what have you always wanted to try? Is there a skill you have wanted to learn, a hobby you have put off, or a creative part of yourself you haven't made room for in a while? Maybe now is the time to explore it.

At Camp Fellowship, we believe there is room for everyone to discover, create, connect, and grow, no matter their age or stage of life. We hope our camp community can be a place where you feel encouraged to try something new, make meaningful connections, and find joy in the process.

Maybe it is time to pick up your crayons again.

We would love for you to join us at Camp Fellowship and discover what new adventures, connections, and opportunities for growth are waiting for you.

After all, creativity doesn't have an expiration date, and it is never too late to learn something new.

— Gracen Price
Assistant Director, Camp Fellowship