the fithians: Family Camp

During my summers in college, I worked for a Christian camp called Pine Cove. Specifically, the family camp. This is where I was first encouraged to boldly live out my faith, and this is also where I began to learn that not every family is severely dysfunctional. In fact, they can be quite functional and intentional about glorifying the Lord. I loved observing and serving these families, and I hoped that I could one day go back as a camper.

Well, Lee and I had a kid, so off to family camp we went! Pine Cove, Week 9!

It was incredible! We loved it!

There is so much about Pine Cove that is completely awesome, but the craziest part is how the Holy Spirit is evident in everything that is going on. We watched callous and broken hearts change and heal over the course of the week, we saw a child with severe anxiety disorders open up and and become bold and outgoing, we were given clarity and peace over some of the questions and struggles we had been facing for a long time, Kara stopped freaking out when she had to go into a nursery setting (which is a major working of the Spirit). The counselors prayed over us before we came and with us during the week. We were pushed to move forward in our personal walks with the Lord, and encouraged to pour His love and model His grace in our family.

That is all the important stuff that happened at camp, but most of you have not been to Pine Cove and may think I am describing a Spartan camp out in tents, sitting around a fire and going on Spirit quests. My sister's exact comment, "I don't get it, do you just sit around on tire swings all day?"

Uh, no. Pine Cove is quite nice. We stayed in a motel-style room (A/C included), and we had delicious meals (not your average camp food). There were speaker sessions for the adults to attend during the week, and the kiddos went to their age appropriate programs. Kara was in the baby room/nursery where they played, sang songs, went swimming, took pony rides, and other fun baby things. They even kept the kids during naps so we could have some free time. During that time we had tons of fun activities to choose from like horseback riding, water rockets/skiing, paintball, zip lines, skeet shooting, arts and crafts, chilling out at the coffee house, swimming, bike rides, fishing, etc. If you couldn't find something enjoyable to do, you weren't trying. Lee and I did some of those activities, but we also rested and read our books.

The counselors at Pine Cove are amazing, not only because they spend their summer running around in 100 degree weather, sleeping in tiny bunks, and getting meager pay. But they serve with a holy dependence and joyfulness that is uncommon anywhere else. They provide rest for us, but they also provide an example of sacrifice and devotion.

Kara also loved Pine Cove. She thought it was fun to jump around with the counselors and do the cheers, she was fairly obsessed with watching the fish in the lake, and if there was a stage she was on it babbling into the microphone or dancing. By the end of the week she began to prefer the counselors to us which may have been my favorite part. There is something so special about seeing someone caring for your child with such love yet setting boundaries for them so they can feel secure. This means my kid had a great time and didn't become a crazy, whiny monster. Makes a mommy's heart smile.

OK. Picture time.

Kara playing on the top bunk bed.

Super hero theme night. We dressed up as Mario Bros. characters. Luigi, Mario, and Princess Peach. I got a hug from a little kid who thought I was really Mario. She was disappointed when I took off the mustache.