Camp carves out time to enjoy world

Summer is probably my favorite season. I can’t lie to you though: I am not a fan of hot weather. I love summer for what we spend our days doing. Last article I talked about baseball, which if you know me and my kids, you know that you will find me on a baseball diamond more than you will find me in my own house during the summer.

The other thing I love most about summer is summer camp. When I was in college, I spent two summers working at Lewis and Clark Scout Camp outside of Yankton. I loved the experience. The campers, fellow staff, and nature itself filled my cup to the brim for those two summers.

Now I get to watch as my own two kids get to experience camp. They each get to spend a week at Nesodak Bible Camp outside Waubay, and we go as a family to Outlaw Ranch Bible Camp outside of Custer. It is always a highlight of our summer to spend time dwelling in the word, and the world, of God.

So why is camp so amazing to me? There are so many reasons I could give you. Many of which you could respond with ‘Why do you need to be at camp to experience that?’ And you would probably be right. I don’t need to be at camp to find a quiet spot by myself to just sit and listen to the wind. I don’t need to be at camp to sing a silly prayer before lunch. I don’t need to be at camp to watch my kids play and have fun.

Those that have experienced camp (Bible or otherwise) know what I mean when I say camp is just different. The weight and the burdens of the world don’t seem to exist at camp. When you drive onto camp property, the stress is gone.

The problems you faced yesterday seem to fade away for the time. Camp just puts you in a mindset where you can let go of the earthly things and focus on your faith and happiness. My kids are their true selves at camp. They aren’t worried about making a fool of themselves in front of their friends. They’ll get up in front of a room full of strangers and read a prayer or Bible lesson. They just know that the people around them, most of which they do not know, still care and love for them the way God made them.

Like all things in life, it must come to an end. Camp doesn’t last forever. As the summer draws to an end, the boats get put away and the cabins get shuddered again for the long winter nap. But the ideals and good times of camp don’t need to stay there. We can carry that with us when we leave. We can try to keep the burdens of the world in check as we still appreciate the time and happiness that we do have. God has made the room in our hearts for that, we just have to know enough to utilize it.

We always fill our lives with too many things. I am just as guilty as anyone for this. But make sure you are taking time to nurture yourself and your family. If you haven’t experienced a camp before, give it a shot. Take a break from baseball and softball for a few days to just find rest in nature. I guarantee you won’t regret it.

Peace to you as you wander and find your camp space.