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Reflections on values with Camp & Retreat Ministries

Entering Community  

 Value 5: Community

By Larry Haley, Director at Sawtooth Camp

Editor’s Note: This is the fifth in a series of articles about community.

As I re-read the four previous articles, I wonder what is left for me to say. In fact, what do I even use as a title? The first four are all great articles.

Community is an interesting word. It is used in relation to a lot of things in our lives. The town/city you were born in is a community, where you went to school is a community, and today there many new types of community, such as Facebook; touted as the largest (digital) community in the world and an interesting one in that you can have innumerable “friends” that you’ve never seen or talked to. Really?

And there’s church camp – it is certainly a community. As the bus arrives and the children and youth get off, you see the excitement in their faces and actions and noise! But there are a few who are unsure, and much quieter.  It is their first time to camp.

At the end of the week you see them boarding the bus for home. They’re tired, its been a busy week, but there is still energy as they’re living on what camp has given them. Some are sad as they’re leaving friends, some old and some new.

As an individual who is blessed with the opportunity to facilitate the creation of this special community, I can also see these campers from a different perspective. I’m thinking of the picture of Jesus knocking at the door. The door has no handle on Jesus’s side. We must open it for him to come in. If we put in the work, together, our camp community can make ripples; extending all that it offers into the larger, faith community.

I believe camp can be an experience to help others open the door to Jesus Christ. Now there is the real, community in the world, and in fact the universe!  

Come on in.


Camp Sickness is Real: Easing Re-Entry

The latest edition of the National Camp & Retreat Ministry newsletter included a wonderful article, providing advice on how to work through home-sickness for camp or "camp-sickness:"

The feeling of missing camp is so intense for some kids that it leads to moping and sadness that perplexes parents. The post-camp phenomenon is aptly diagnosed as “campsickness.” This article provides understanding and support for parents of campers who may be having trouble adjusting back to home life. Some of the suggestions may be helpful for summer staff re-entering the "real world," too! 

Read the full article here


Blessings Report  

In their weekly e-news, the National United Methodist Camp & Retreat Ministry includes a blessings report. This report gives readers the opportunity to share the blessings that they experience at camp. We are happy to provide a similar report in our weekly publication! 

  • Hearing a story in the story tent at Wallowa Lake Camp  
  • Incredible campers who put effort into creating a new cross at Sawtooth Camp. 
  • Sharing a good meal and wonderful company around the table at Alton L. Collins.

Please send your blessings to share in future issues of the e-news. Click on this link

 

Go Camping E-News is a publication of Camp and Retreat Ministries, a collaboration of the OR-ID Conference of the United Methodist Church and the Episcopal Diocese of Oregon.

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