Faith | Camping in the Blue Mountains highlights God’s creation
This summer my church packed up for a long weekend in nature and had an inspirational and relaxing family church camp.
It was full of fun, entertainment, and adventure for everyone of all ages. How nice to spend three whole days in the quiet of the woods by a small creek with my church family – and no cell phone service!
Family camp is a great way to really get to know people. In fact, those three days at camp helped me get to know some of them better than seeing them once a week in church on Sunday over the last five years.
At camp there’s a main lodge, several cabins, RV space, and tent areas--even a swimming pool. You can go hiking, explore the creek, and make bracelets and crafts. Along with a talent show, there’s so much more: fresh berries, delicious meals, singing, volleyball, horse shoes, whiffle ball and water-gun fights.
Wildlife abounds with turkeys in the campground, deer close by, butterflies, bats, fish, crayfish, water skippers, frogs, and snakes skimming over the water.
Some people just sat around relaxing in and around the creek. Everybody was just doing their own thing, being totally relaxed.
My grandson enjoyed going up and down the creek bank, turning over rocks, catching crayfish, and watching the fish swim as he threw rocks into the river. There was a campfire at night for roasting marshmallows and making s’mores. Some folks played charades and card games, along with other silly games.
Just being outside in God’s incredible creation was a highlight for me. Trees, water, wildlife, and the mountain air were so refreshing. The stars and moon appeared brighter and clearer at night with no surrounding lights.
God truly was miraculous when he created everything in such perfect harmony; he has revealed himself both internally and in nature through all of his creation. This year’s camp theme focused on all creatures of our God.
It was such a blessing to be around people with whom you feel totally safe and at ease. The children have a terrific time. I noticed the simplicity of putting out a 5-gallon bucket of water and keeping it full so they could use their squirt guns during the hot weather, keeping them totally entertained and pleased.
Every year we have a small, craft-made boat race in the creek – definitely a highlight. Kids make little boats with all sorts of unique designs using popsicle sticks, pop cans, Styrofoam, and more. Two years ago we had 23 entries in the boat race. Four people released them at the same time, and six people about two hundred yards downstream caught them.
My grandson made one and to be honest, I didn’t think his boat had a chance of winning, but as it turned out, part way through the race it tipped on its side and somehow caught the current even better! It started passing all the boats ahead of him and his boat won the race!
With all the activities during the day, I’ve noticed that almost all the children sleep very well, exhausted from running around having fun. I know that most people have a great time and the memories made at church camp will last a lifetime.
May we always be thankful for our creative loving supreme God of the universe who wants a personal relationship with each one of us now, and forever, in his heavenly kingdom. We only need to trust in God the Son (Jesus Christ) as our Savior and Lord.
Lee Walter is Sunday School superintendent at Columbia Bible Church in Kennewick. Questions and comments should be directed to editor Lucy Luginbill in care of the Tri-City Herald newsroom, 4253 W. 24th Avenue, Kennewick, WA 99338. Or email lluginbill@tricityherald.com.