"She Was Jesus With Skin On"
by Barbara (Bangs) Krueger, about the author

Miss Carolyn probably impacted my spiritual life like nobody else has in my whole life. I consider her to be my spiritual mentor. Other than the very relevant and growth-provoking Bible lessons she taught, and the Chapel services she spoke at, it was her daily living for Jesus that made the deepest impact on my life. She was "Jesus with skin on" in my growing-up years. She was very serious when it came to spiritual things, and because of that, I learned things like reverence, fear of the Lord, and awe. She knew what worship was all about, and I can't tell you how the setting of Tapawingo impacted my own view of worship (and still does, to this day). She was a woman of prayer, and her prayers were fervent and heart-felt. She taught me to pray. She was a stickler for details. When we were counselors, she read over each and every letter and
postcard we sent home to parents. If there was even the tiniest error, she'd return it to us for a re-write. She wanted Tapawingo to be the best at everything -- because not only was the reputation of the camp at stake, but the reputation of Jesus was, too. She was probably the most Godly woman in my life, and I learned a great deal from Miss Carolyn. One of the things that always impressed me was that as I came off of the boat each summer, and up to the office, Miss Carolyn was ALWAYS there. And, she always greeted me by name. After I grew up, when I'd return with my family for a visit -- she was always there, and she greeted my family by name. She saw thousands of girls over the course of her time at camp -- and she knew us all. She knew where we lived, she knew what we'd been doing all year (at least she did for those of us who took the time to stay in touch with her). I make it a point now, in the camping ministry I'm part of, to learn all the campers' names and to use them when I greet them. It blows them away, and I am reminded of Carolyn.

"What are You Underlining in Your Bible?"
by Jenn Congdon, about the author

My first summer as a camper at Tapawingo was 1990 and I was eight years old. I heard the gospel for the first time that week and accepted Jesus as my Savior. As a little girl, I remember Miss Carolyn being extremely sweet and full of the joy of the Lord. I could tell even at that age that she loved the job that He had given her and wanted more than anything to serve her Master. Everytime I saw her she had a huge smile on her face and wanted to talk to every camper individually to show them that they were loved. My second summer back at the island was in 1992 and Miss Carolyn approached me to see how my week was going. She asked me what I had been underlining recently in my Bible. I told her that I didn't have a Bible and that I had only been borrowing my dad's so I couldn't write in it. Without a second of time passing she swept me into her office and gave me my first Bible. It was a thin pink NIV Bible and she wrote on the inside of it, "Presented to
Jennifer Congdon during Christmas in August, 1992 by Miss Carolyn Ray". Needless to say it was the best "Christmas" gift I have ever been given because I was given the Truth. God has used every summer I've spent at Tapawingo since
then to cause me to fall even deeper in love with Him. I'm so blessed to have known Miss Carolyn and I still have my little pink Bible. Praise God that she is with Him this very moment.

"And You Are Terrific"
by Leigh Dini, about the author

When I was eight years old I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior on our precious little island. I heard the gospel message at vespers, we went "out with joy," and then we prayed in the friendship circle. After prayer I was so excited I ran up to Miss Carolyn, and I told her about everything that had happened as the tears streamed down my face. She sat with me on the steps of the chapel porch, and for half an hour encouraged me to get in the word, and pray. That was where my journey began. I fell in love with Tapawingo that night. For the next ten years I didn't miss a summer at camp. Although that caring, loving, and godly woman eventually left, her spirit stayed. Camp evolved into a much more organized place, but none of the changes could ever drown out Miss Carolyn's forever famous words: "I feel happy, I feel healthy, I feel terrific...and you are terrific." She was truly an inspiration, and a blessing in my life. She will be missed dearly.

"Her Love for All"
by Judy Hardin, about the author

My first summer at Tapawingo was 1975. I had only been a Christian for almost two years. I felt Miss Carolyn was brave taking me on staff with such little Christian experience...As I consider that first summer and the summers, except 1979, until I left for Germany in 1983 at Tapawingo, I know that Carolyn has left an imprint on my life from watching her love kids, staff, parents, and visitors. She never met "a stranger" and her warmth was felt as she related to others and myself. I watched her love for prayer for campers, our daily work, and for other ministries around the US and the world. She had a passion to see the lost won and the Christian challenged to know and love the living God more. The greatest impact on my life that Carolyn had over the years at Tapawingo was that she believed in me and motivated me to seek excellence in service to our King. These things have produced fruit in my journey with the Lord. To Carolyn I give thanks for causing me to expect great things from God!

"A Magnificent and Wonderful Woman"
by Katie Gillette

When I think back to Tapawingo, I immediately think of Miss Carolyn. Her gentle loving spirit made everyone feel welcome and at home on her 'island of beauty.' She had a wonderful sense of humor, a knack for drawing smiles out of her campers, and sense of leadership that I have yet to see the equal of. She created a magical place that nurtured the foundation of my girlhood christianity; I came to Christ in July of 1995 while sitting in the chapel listening to Miss Carolyn's quiet prayers. Tapawingo became my rock; a safe harbor for me to worship, learn, and grow in Christ. She was a truly magnificent and wonderful woman who changed the lives of many girls, including my own. I am forever grateful to her and honored to know her.  - P.S. Those who remember her as a camp leader will remember her famous morning ritual: I feel healthy, I feel happy, I feel terrific! (and everyone would shout back) AND YOU ARE TERRIFIC!

"What a Bible Teacher"
by Judy Genaway, about the author

Miss Carolyn treated me with joy and respect as Camp Nurse at Tapawingo the summers of 1992-3-4. She was always positive, careful, protective of her girls and 'the island'.

What a Bible Teacher....as the girls studied mid-morning, I had the privilege of sitting in on the Staff Study...and Miss Carolyn would instruct...insightful, sound instruction from God's word...with knowledge reflecting hours and hours of preparation. I understand that Miss Carolyn's memory failed as she neared death, but when I knew her, that bright mind taught us all so carefully. I especially remember Old Testament teaching on the tabernacle, the symbolism represented in the creation of the tabernacle.
She had such a grasp of scripture, and could quote verse after verse. One summer we as a staff offered our favorite scriptures (Miss Diane's idea)...and those scriptures became part of the fabric of my spiritual life.

That spiritual teaching came at a time in my life when I was desperate for stability and a sense of purpose. God carefully guided me to " The Place of Joy" being the Master Designer He is....and I will be forever grateful for the rest, work, fun, and commitments I made as a Staffer there.

The counsellors I grew to love as I worked there were examples of what God wanted young women to be: dedicated to Him. I look back nostalgically and remember GROWTH...