A Day in the Life of Family Camp

A lot of people ask me what is Family Camp like.  There have been lots of metaphors tossed out, like a weeklong parish retreat where we create a parish.  Or like our keynote speaker shared this week, “This should not be called Family Camp, but rather Camp Family.”  And then he thanked us for making him a part of our family.  At meal times, we could easily be called Camp Gluttony because Shrine Mont feeds us too well.  But what exactly is it we do all day?

Our day starts at 8:00 am with breakfast served family style around tables, and then we head to the Rec Hall for a time of singing with our phenomenal pick-up band (many of these guys have been playing together for years, or minutes) followed by Morning Prayer.  Then adults have a speaker/leader, while kids and youth have their own programming.  This goes to about noon, when we gather for Noontime Prayers or Holy Communion.

Lunch leads to afternoons, where families go to the pool, on a hike, fishing, or maybe one of the programs we offer.  Many of us take much needed naps, too!  Dinner rolls around, and once again, we are well taken care of by the wonderful Shrine Mont staff.  Every evening we have a fun family activity.  A dance, BINGO, a carnival, movie night, and the beloved Talent Show are all ways to be together as a group, enriching and encouraging families.  

The days follow a leisurely pace, and people pick and choose what they will participate in.  Some people do everything, and some show up for meals.  The freedom and flexibility lets people do what they need to do for themselves and their families.   This experience is all about enabling you and your family having space to draw closer to God and to each other, and making lots of friends in Christ in the process.  Hope you will join us next year!

Note: This was a blog entry originally written for shrinemontcamps.net in my role as Director of Family Camp.

We All Need A Family Camp In Our Lives

In my short tenure as Director of Family Camp I have learned a few things.  Some of them were expected, the whos, the whats, the wheres, the whys.  That is the learning curve of any new job.   But in my second and third years, it was not the details that came out about family camp, it was the atmosphere that makes it so special.  It is not the trees, but the forest.

For many DECADES, yes decades not years, Family Camp was known as Family Conference and had a who’s who of speakers from around the Episcopal Church.  Presiding Bishop Elect Michael Curry is even among those that have shared their wisdom and love of God during our times together.  The Family Conference started at Shrine Mont in 1952, and its has gone through many changes and transitions, but at its core it is still about coming with your family to increase your love of God and love of each other.  Could anything be better?

Every year we gather from all over the Diocese, and some from further afield, to pray, worship, sing, grow, learn, and have fun.  It is Camp after all.  You have to have the fun.  What makes it wonderful is that we have fun while we pray, worship, sing, grow and learn.  The unique thing about Family Camp is that it is not age-specific.  The other camps are separated by age, but we are multi-generational.  The kids see the adults enjoying the same things and celebrating together, and vice versa.  Even more important, during this week we form a village where we look after and support one another.

This week, my daughter had a low moment, and someone reached out, processed the moment, and gave her space to talk and come to a better place.  It would have been different if I had done it.  Your dad has to love you, right?  But that an adult took her seriously and lovingly listened, she felt empowered, and I felt encouraged.  Of all the many things I have learned along  the way, this is the most important.  I need Family Camp.  

I think we all need a Family Camp in our life.  I have a space where I can care and be cared for.  I need a time when I can let go of the stuff I carry in my day to day life, and relax, rejuvenate, and just be.  I need a place apart, but I also need a space to be together.  Shrine Mont is the place apart, but Family Camp is the space to be together.  Thank you, God, for Family Camp.

Note: This was a blog entry I wrote for shrinemontcamps.net in my role as Director of Family Camp.