Update: This post was originally published on July 10, 2013. I recently recorded a podcast in which I talk about the Woodsman camp kitchen shown here and some treasured memories from that time. The episode—titled “Fireside Songs and Butterscotch Brownies”—captures a lot of the sights and sounds I describe below.
In that episode I describe the cook tent in detail. That tent no longer stands, so what follows serves as a small piece of camp history.
If you’ve been wondering where I’ve been the last few weeks, thank you for checking in — and for missing me.
All is well here at Harbour Breeze Home, but I’ve spent most of my recent time away from home, immersed in camp life and cookery. The first week I was out at our Woodsman Camp, preparing meals for 50 energetic teenagers.
The Woodsman Camp Cook Tent
Describing our little “kitchen in the woods” is not easy without the sounds and smells. It was a simple, well-worn cook tent where great food and better company came together. I rarely enjoy cooking at home the way I did under that canvas canopy—partly because of the rustic setting, but mostly because of the people who worked alongside me.
Our days there followed a steady rhythm: early breakfast prep, frying pans full of bacon, a mountain of scalloped potatoes steaming in the oven, and pudding pies cooling on makeshift racks. Between plating and serving, there was always a steady stream of laughter. When the work feels light and joyful, it stops being work and becomes one of those memories you carry with you.
At Woodsman Camp, the Campers Help Get Everything Done!
One of the highlights was the cheerful dish crew that arrived after each meal. Seeing a team of teenagers take responsibility for cleaning, stacking, and drying the dishes is encouraging—proof that given direction and purpose, young people step up in remarkable ways.
So, for any parents reading this: yes, teenagers do the dishes—and they do it with more enthusiasm than you might expect.
Enjoying God’s Beautiful Creation at Woodsman Camp
There’s a special calm to being away from daily distractions—in a place where the lake, trees, and camp routines take center stage. Mornings that begin with mist rising off the water and evenings spent around a fire are reminders of how restorative time in nature can be. The setting encourages conversation, reflection, and the sort of deep, unhurried connection that is rare in everyday life.
Returning Home and Renewing Routines
When camp ended, there was the usual catch-up: a mountain of laundry, unpacking, and the slow transition back into home routines. Not long after we returned, the camp opened its doors to a new group of family campers, which has been a joy. Watching families arrive with coolers, board games, and bundled sleeping gear reminded me how enduring and welcoming the camp community is.
One of the unexpected pleasures of camp life is the friendships that form. I met a few kindred spirits—people who delight in home décor, enjoy sanding and repainting old furniture, and stay awake sketching out new projects on paper. Those connections—creative, practical, and wholehearted—are part of what makes camp so meaningful.
If you’re spending time outdoors this season, I hope your days are full of good food, warm fellowship, and restorative moments in nature. Summer offers a chance to slow down, share a meal under an open sky, and make memories that will keep you smiling long after the tents are packed away.
More Woodsman Camp Posts
- See the Woodsman Camp Kitchen up close with details here
- Summer Camp Cooking at Woodsman memories