Having a two-year full of energy is a joy. Discovering the world again through his eyes has been a blessing, but more importantly, it has helped me renew my awareness of the wonderful world of creation. From lizards and butterflies to fossils and shooting stars, the universe is alive and moving. The fingerprints of God are limitless. Before Benjamin came into our…
Camp for a Week, Friends for Life!
Camp for a Week, Friends for Life!
It is surreal to walk on the property at Slumber Falls Camp. With our staff working remotely and groups following recommendations to stay home and slow the spread of the coronavirus, the camp has entered a period of rest and restoration. The grass is growing and the wildflowers and cacti are blooming. We have shut down many of the non-essential buildings that…
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,…
Christian growth as well as many other spiritual awakenings use the image of a journey or path to illustrate the movement and growth of an individual through space and time. The idea of journeying is not unique to the Christian tradition, but it has been incorporated for much of Christian history. Journeys to the Holy…
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…