The following was written by former UGA Volleyball student-athlete, Anna Kate Karstens. Anna Kate graduated in May 2019 with a degree in Human Development & Family Science.
I had the incredible opportunity to intern at Ultimate Training Camp (UTC) with Athletes in Action in Fort Collins, Colorado in May of 2019. Ultimate Training Camp is a challenging sports camp where athletes from across the country come to learn how to link their faith in their sport through biblical principles applied to sport. As an intern for UTC, I learned how to connect my faith more deeply in sport, how to incorporate my faith in day-to-day life and relationships, and how to communicate effectively and teach others about the Gospel.
When I first arrived on Colorado State’s campus, the staff leaders led us through an intense curriculum to enhance our ministry skills and servant leadership through books, videos, and classroom styled lessons. The immediate openness and vulnerability from the leaders and the internship staff allowed me to dig deep into my own life and learn how to connect with people more personally in sport and in life.
Through the internship, I was able to lead a small group of girls, meet one-on-one with campers to share the Gospel, participate in a prison ministry, and help run the competitions for the campers. Without a doubt, this internship has given me a new confidence in leadership and ministry skills. I learned what it looks like to be intentional in relationships. I learned how to look more deeply into my life as well as others’ lives. Lastly, I learned how to dwell in the silence and be still in the quiet moments. For any student-athletes interested in attending or interning with UTC, I cannot say enough good things about the experience. Every athlete who attends camp, arrives back to their sports teams and campus’s with a new purpose and leadership. I am extremely thankful that the Georgia Way helped provide the means necessary to participate in this life changing experience, and I am excited to carry this knowledge over into my career and to see the Georgia student-athlete involvement increase at UTC in the years to come.
