The Why Behind the Work: Erik Jastrzemski

From Classrooms to Coastlines

We’re beyond excited to introduce one of the key leaders behind this summer’s Mobile Camp experience in the Outer Banks—an incredible partner whose passion, calling, and heart for kids make him a perfect fit for the mission of Camp ROYAL.

By day, Erik serves full-time as a Middle School Special Education Teacher in Currituck County, NC, working tirelessly with students and families to overcome barriers and challenges. But if you ask him where his true passion lies, he’ll tell you straight up: it’s in introducing disadvantaged and at-risk youth to the beauty of God’s Creation through Action Sports.

That passion—shared deeply with his wife, Julie—has been the foundation of Camp Radiant, a ministry that exists to help every child know they are fully seen, fully known, and fully loved by God. Together, they love nothing more than chilling with kids, building real relationships, and pointing them to Jesus—the One who created them on purpose, for a purpose.

His connection to ROYAL? Let’s just say it’s wild.

Years ago, Erik remembers saying out loud, “Man, there’s got to be a faith-based camp that my kids can go to that will be just like Camp Woodward—but with a bunch of Jesus too!” Within hours (literally), he found himself on a call with Brandon—ROYAL’s second-in-command, and a spark ignited. A spark that turned into years of collaboration, van-loads of kids heading to West Virginia, vision casting between ministries, and powerful moments of Holy Spirit movement.

“I’ve shared this with folks before,” he says, “but the first time I stepped foot on the ROYAL Property in Glen Jean, I was overcome by the Holy Spirit in such a visceral way that I almost cried… the notion that I would be working with Camp ROYAL in some way, shape or form was washing over me in a very tangible way! It was so rad!!”

Full Circle Moment

As Camp RROYAL launches into a new era of Mobile Camps—taking the ROYAL experience on the road to reach more kids in more places—he’s stepping in to lead one of the very first stops of the ROYAL Tour: Outer Banks.

Through the partnership between Camp Radiant and Camp ROYAL, the mission remains the same: to remind every kid, no matter where they’re from or what their story is, that they are God’s kids. That they are fully known, deeply loved, and wildly valuable. And that action sports can be more than just a thrill—they can be a doorway into a life-changing relationship with Jesus.

“We believe in excellence,” he says, “because being children of God gives us a mandate to coach, lead worship, prepare food—everything—with all we’ve got. We want these kids to experience the fullness of God’s goodness through every part of camp.”

As Outer Banks Camp approaches, his excitement is palpable. He can’t wait to welcome returning Camp Radiant and ROYAL kids—and meet the new faces God is already preparing to bring. He’s ready to help them experience the beauty of God’s handiwork on the coast and the unmatched joy of being fully embraced by the love of Jesus.