An Interview with Rob Starr on Volunteering at Young Life Military Family Camp
We caught up with Rob Starr, a longtime member of the Young Life family who recently reconnected with the ministry in a very practical way. Rob, whose uncle was former Young Life president Bill Starr and father is long-time YL staffer Chet Starr, grew up around Young Life and spent seven summers working at YL Malibu Club in British Columbia early in his career. Today, he’s the CEO and owner of St. Joseph Plastics, a 100-employee company based in St. Joseph, Missouri. This past summer, Rob felt called back to Young Life to volunteer at YL Military Family Camp at Lone Hollow Ranch in Vanderpool, Texas. Here’s what he shared about his experience serving those who serve.
Why did you decide to volunteer at Young Life Military Family Camp?
Rob: Honestly, my friend Jeff Pulver pitched the idea, and I thought it would be good to support him and what he does for YL Military. I thought it would be a good way to give back and serve with others who have said so many good things about this week dedicated to Military Families. I’ve always admired the work Young Life does, and having grown up around it, I knew it would be a meaningful experience. It ended up going way beyond what I expected. Spending a week with Military Families—people who are used to giving so much of themselves, often without much support—completely shifted my perspective. It felt like a privilege to be there and to be able to give a little something back to these families who serve our country.
Can you tell us about the heart behind Military Family Camp?
Rob: Young Life Military Family Camps are really all about creating a place where Military Families can just be—where they can relax, connect, and have fun as a family. For many Military Families, life is in constant motion, with deployments, relocations, financial pressures, and endless adjustments. This camp offers a rare chance for them to pause, breathe, and just enjoy each other without the usual pressures of military life. To be together as a family and not have to worry about how much dinner or other fun activities cost.
One thing that stuck with me was hearing from campers how this week was unlike any “vacation” they’d ever had. One mom mentioned that being at camp felt like stepping into a picture-perfect world where she could actually unwind. Young Life wants these families to be loved in lavish ways to help create a space where they can feel genuinely seen and appreciated. And to be in an amazing setting where they can hear about the God of the universe that loves them right where they are.
What was the reaction from families when they found out the camp was staffed by volunteers?
Rob: That was one of the most humbling parts of the week. Many of the parents were surprised to learn that we were all volunteers. I had several of them ask, “Wait, you’re doing this for free?” They’re used to being the ones who serve, so to have people giving their time for them was a really powerful experience. I could see it meant a lot to them that someone cared enough to show up. Initially, these dads and moms were reluctant to receive from us, but as the week progressed, they realized it was also a gift to us. God wants to teach us to serve and to receive gifts from others.
For me, my motivation was simple: I wanted to show my gratitude for their sacrifices and, in a small way, reflect the love of Christ. Every meal served, every activity planned, and every scoop of ice cream given was an interaction that made them feel valued. That’s what being there was all about.
How did your faith influence the way you approached serving these families?
Rob: It’s one thing to say thank you for someone’s service; it’s another to show that gratitude through action. Volunteering at Military Family Camp was a way of saying, “We see you, we appreciate you, and you are loved.” Throughout the week, we reminded each other that servanthood was modeled so well by Jesus and we needed to model this for these awesome families. Having a relationship with Christ means putting your faith into action and putting off some of our plans to serve others.
In the Gospels, we see Jesus reaching out to people society often ignored—the sick, the poor, the overlooked. Here at camp, we had the chance to do something similar, creating a safe, nurturing environment for these families who often face struggles most of us can’t imagine. Just as Jesus washed His disciples’ feet, we got to serve in practical ways—from watching the kids to cooking meals—building relationships rooted in genuine care and compassion.
Young Life camps are known for being fun and engaging. What was that like at Military Family Camp?
Rob: Young Life brings so much energy and joy to everything it does, and Military Family Camp was no exception. We had games, outdoor adventures, family bonding activities, and a ton of downtime so everyone could just relax. Watching parents kick back and seeing kids just be kids was a reminder of how powerful these simple moments can be. Seeing kids with other kids, and kids with parents fishing was one example of the unhurried time they had together.
One mom told me that for the first time, she didn’t have to worry about planning meals or managing schedules—she could actually relax and focus on spending time with her family. There was one evening when we held a big family game night. It ended in laughter, friendly competition, and pure joy. These moments of fun and connection reminded me that service isn’t always about grand gestures. Sometimes, it’s just about making space for joy and togetherness, and in those moments, you could really see God’s love shining through.
What was it like connecting with the other volunteers?
Rob: One of the best parts of the experience was the friendships we formed as a volunteer team. Spending a week together, focused on serving others, really brought us close. We weren’t just completing tasks; we were sharing our own faith journeys, laughing together, and finding plenty of reasons to keep things light and fun. Young Life always includes humor in everything it does, and that made the whole experience even more meaningful.
Between activities, we’d sit down and swap stories—about times when God felt close, moments when we struggled to see Him, and those unexpected ways He showed up in our lives. There were plenty of laughs, funny camp stories, and even a few harmless pranks. Sharing those moments of humor helped keep our spirits high and made us feel like family.
There’s something special about doing Kingdom work together. By the end of the week, we weren’t just a team; we were a close-knit community—a family of believers who had shared laughter, tears, and countless moments of gratitude. The friendships I built with my fellow volunteers reminded me that God often uses serving to bring people together. I left camp feeling grateful not only for the families we served but for the deep friendships we built along the way.
What impact did this experience have on you personally?
Rob: Volunteering at Military Family Camp has stayed with me in ways I didn’t expect. Saying “yes” to a new type of Work Crew experience (hey, I’m in my sixties) was somewhat scary, but the experience was so rich. What we saw as the families were going through the week was special. It was humbling to see how grateful they were for the opportunity to be at Camp when they spend every day serving us in the military. This experience reminded me that when we serve, instead of just sitting on the sidelines, we are able to see, up close, God’s heart in action. Mark 10:45 says “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” In a very small way, we were able to serve during this amazing week.
This camp wasn’t just a week out of my summer—it was a chance to live out my faith and go out of my comfort zone. I’m grateful for the time I spent with the Work Crew and staff. I’m grateful for the opportunity to see these families experience true joy. Serving them was a privilege, and I hope to carry the lessons I learned into other parts of my life, finding ways to show gratitude, serve others, and love with the same selflessness Christ shows us.
What would you say to someone considering volunteering at a Young Life camp?
Rob: If you’re thinking about volunteering, go for it! There is a place for you no matter what age you are. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about stepping into a role where you can give freely and make a difference—whether it’s Young Life camp, your local Young Life, a youth group, or a community project. There are so many ways to serve and every act of service is an opportunity to show others the love of Christ and remind them that they’re valued and seen. And once you experience the beauty of serving others, it grows on you, and God will give you more opportunities to make a difference in someone’s life.
Interested in opportunities to serve with Young Life? https://younglife.org/get-involved/
Interested in opportunities to serve with Young Life Military? https://military.younglife.org/get-involved/