Family

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Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Family Camp But Were Afraid to Ask

We joined our local church about nine years ago. Shortly thereafter we heard that “Family Camp” was coming up soon. Curiosity and lots of encouragement from faithful “family campers” eventually led us to the North East Maryland camp for a Sunday evening service.
As we pulled into the camp I realized that I had seen this place before. It looked like a migrant workers camp. Imagine my surprise to find out that people came here voluntarily and actually loved it. We kept an open mind, walked around to soak up “camp culture” and enjoyed a wonderful evening. We returned a few more evenings and decided that camp was o.k.
A year or two later, I was offered the opportunity to stay overnight, in a cabin (no cable, no Jacuzzi) with some friends. I’m sure that many guests have stayed in that same cabin through the years. The rustic tiny house had everything you could possibly need… if you were staying in a prison camp.
It didn’t take long; however, to see why everyone was glad to be there. The camp offered a respite from our crazy world. Groups of busy people turn back into families, friendships are born and more than a few romances began there. Where else can you turn a seven year old loose all day and not have to worry about his safety?
I think the main reason to go to camp is to rekindle your relationship to the Lord. Inside the camp we are free to be people of God with no apologies. I like that. While at camp I talked to old friends and made a few new ones, ate some great onion rings and awesome tacos, rode a borrowed bicycle and did a great deal of walking.
Front porches are much in style and they are well used. The best times are had on the front porch with family and friends just laughing about silly things. Our generation has lost the art of porch sitting and I’m glad to see it preserved at family camp.
Don’t think that camp is without excitement though. We saw the maintenance truck back over a red bike. Some mischievous young people put the children’ tabernacle chairs on the roof and red dye in the fountain. And, after the evening service, the snack shack really cooks.
Camp also offers some incredible miracles. There was the little boy with a high fever who left in an ambulance and returned good as new the next day. The greatest miracles, however, took place in the Tabernacle. I remember the sight of a bear-like man in tears at the altar with a grateful wife and kids crying in their seats. What an embrace when he turned to them. I can only imagine that a great healing in his heart had taken place. Night after night, I saw an altar lined with people eager for God to intervene in their lives. Tears of release, freedom, repentance, and joy streamed down their faces. I’m sure that I witnessed God’s call to some future missionaries, teachers and pastors.
I am convinced that something happens when you get away from your world with it’s time clocks, bells, overdue books, traffic jams, telephones and microwaves (well maybe not microwaves). There is a peace and contentment that you can see. When you walk through camp you notice that everyone has a smile on their face, a spring in their step and no one is in a hurry…. because they are already here.

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