I think Jimmy Buffet has the right idea when it comes to living in terms of being happy.  His song An Attitude of Gratitude repeatedly talks about how being grateful changes our perception and outlook on life.  Two verses are “An attitude of gratitude, Hooray for what’s okay, Say thank you with emphatitude, And it’s a brand new day. An attitude of…

For me, the start of a new year brings about excitement, hope, and possibilities.  It is also a time of reflection on what I achieved last year and my trajectory based on the last few years.  The new year serves as a touchstone to gather my thoughts, dreams, and set goals for the upcoming year.  While some of these goals are school…

A few weeks ago, I was able to attend a Board Game Conference designed to bring gamers together to play games, meet board game vendors, and learn about the hottest new games on the market or soon to be on the market.  I have appreciated the gaming community in their humility and acceptance of diversity and differences.  While the stereotypes persist of…

I am sitting in the airport in Ashville, North Carolina after attending The Great Gathering, which is the first ecumenical gathering of outdoor ministry professionals from across the United States and Canada.  My head is spinning with the myriad of possibilities of how Slumber Falls Camp can continue to improve the programs, amenities/facilities, and most importantly the impacts of our relationships in…

I did it again.  I was so busy getting things checked off my list before vacation, that I started to cut corners and skip steps and practices that help me be more effective.  Eric and I are finally taking a vacation this year and decided to reconnect with nature.  Yes, I know that we live at a campground with nature around us,…

For those that have attended a camp at Slumber Falls or seen camps in action, realize that the creativity, planning, and implementation of activities to help shape an intentional Christian community takes time and forethought.  One of the staff training modules includes transforming groups of campers, counselors, and staff from a group into a community with shared values and deep concern for…

In Freedom in Exile: The Autobiography of the Dalai Lama, Dalai Lama XIV reflected on an observation from a parrot and the Master of Robes.  “One of the parrots was very friendly with…Master of the Robes. He used to feed it nuts. As it nibbled from his fingers, he used to stroke its head, at which the bird appeared to enter a…

For many new parents with young children, developmental milestones are one of the measuring tools our culture utilizes to see how young people are growing and maturing.  While the validity of this approach can be argued from a theological point of view in how we are made in God’s image, I have spent a lot of time thinking about development for our…

I can hardly believe that a month has gone by since Christmas and that we are in a new year.  When I look at the upcoming months in a new year, it feels like I am looking down a new road riddled with yearly traditions, seasonal programs, and new opportunities.  For many, the new year is about setting new goals and assessing…