Family Camps at Hidden Acres

We are right in the middle of Memorial Day family camp; over 400 people are enjoying the extra cool weather and a little rain and mud; but most are die-hard family campers and would attend regardless of weather predictions or high gas prices: they see attending family camp as a tradition they don't/won't give up. It is worth of trouble and the expense to create some special memories for their families.

This is my 24th Memorial Day family camp. I still am just as pleased to see our families return; I love it when they invite their friends and family members along to share their weekend. I am even more pleased when a second generation family camper returns with their small children. It was important to them, and now they want their children to have similar memories.

There is more value to family camp than just memories: I see good wholesome, safe fun to be the glue to keep active families together. It is hard for dads to slow down enough to sit around a fire with his kids and just poke at the sparks and talk about things that seem insignificant at the time; child babble it could be called. But occasionally, out of the mouth of a babe, a life truth might be said, or a particular insight into the heart of a child will be revealed to the parent. What parent doesn't get surprised at what really make their kids tick when we stop long enough to listen.

Parenting can be tough, but it can be a real lasting blessing if done with care and with active involvement in the lives of our offspring. Cooking meals outside with less than ideal conditions teaches principles to children like, "Even when it ain't perfect... keep at it... don't stop when frustrated... or if you don't work, you don't eat. Sleeping in a soggy tent ain't fun, but I have yet to see a family melt due to a early morning rain shower. " A weekend at family camp might be one of the few times a family really has to rough it together. And roughing it is good!! Life isn't about convenience and always having comfort in order to be content and happy. Being content in the rough times, only makes those occasional, knock your socks off sunsets even more beautiful and meaningful. Life ain't the Holiday Inn, as a matter of fact, it is more often the Inn experience... with little holiday. There is nothing wrong being in the Inn... surrounded by hay, and sheep, and an old goat or two.

I spoke with a couple my age yesterday; they have been coming to family camp for 22 years; they were waiting for their daughter and her family to arrive at camp. They reflected warmly about the years past; the wet ones, the cold ones, the warm ones, the years the fish bit, the years the mosquito's bit, and the years the speakers spoke to their hearts. All added up to a rich tradition that they would not be traded for all the hotel stays of their life time. They don't run as hard as they used to run, but they love sitting in the Family Life Center and watching camp go running by the window; knowing that their grandchildren can/will be a part of something special too.

See you at Labor Day.