Reflections on 22 Summers at Camp
This July marked 22 summers — twenty-two seasons filled with rain and sun, frantic games of Mission Impossible, and the laughter of Talent Night. Those years hold memories of energetic teenagers and the soft cries of newborns, soccer matches on the field and bandages applied with care. They hold chapels and firesides, silly songs sung loudly, and stories shared from the heart.
Across these summers there have been simple pleasures: swinging on the ball swing, riding horses, shooting arrows, paddling canoes. Last week I realized I had just participated in my 66th family camp… in 22 summers. Camp life is wild, unpredictable, exhausting at times — and deeply blessed. These experiences have shaped our family and our ministry in ways that continue to surprise me.
Renewed Passion for Ministry
Last November I began praying that God would breathe fresh passion and excitement into my heart for the work we do here at camp. After many years in the same place, routine can so easily be mistaken for weariness. I didn’t want the longevity of our service to make the work feel stale. Instead, I asked for a renewed vision — for each summer to feel as vibrant as Summer #1, twenty-two summers ago.
He answered those prayers in a quiet, perfect way. The vision returned, and with it a deep gratitude for the many blessings that outweigh the burdens of camping life. That renewed perspective has made familiar rhythms feel new again, and has reminded me why we keep coming back year after year.
Summer Rhythm and Blogging
Summer days fly by at an all-out, joyful pace. I always mean to prepare guest posts and projects ahead of time, but the reality of summer shifts my priorities. While I love the creative process of blogging and DIY projects, the season demands that I focus on serving families, leading activities, and caring for the little things that make camp run smoothly. Thank you for your patience as my posts have become fewer and farther between this time of year.
Next week I’m heading back out to Woodsman to cook for a family camp — a first for me, and something I’m both nervous and excited about. For now, I’ve had a quieter week at home to catch up on chores and to carve out a little time for creativity. I pulled out my paints and tried something a bit different: owl-themed art.
Painting felt like a small retreat — a chance to slow down and enjoy color, texture, and whimsy. I experimented with several pieces, playing with close-up details and larger compositions. Each canvas was its own little story, and I found the process refreshingly simple and satisfying.
It was, in every sense, a hoot! The little moments of creativity remind me how important it is to refill the well — especially during a busy season.
Community, Gratitude, and a Quick Question
How is your summer going? Whether you’re enjoying quiet mornings, packed schedules, or a mix of both, I hope you find moments to breathe and savor the season. For me, camp continues to be a source of joy, challenge, and deep relationships — and I’m grateful for every year we get to spend here.
On a slightly different note: for those who manage WordPress sites, do you have a spam-filtering plugin you recommend? Lately I’ve been dealing with a large number of spam comments, and I’d appreciate any suggestions for reliable tools that help filter unwanted content.
Thanks for reading, and for being part of this community. I’ll be back with more updates when the summer pace allows — and likely with a few more painted owls to share.