Our Last Sunday. Wow.
It seems like camp has been going on for years now… I mean, it seems like this summer has been going on for years: and that is a GOOD THING. This community, this place— it is heaven. I love the mist in the morning, the anticipation of the day, the muted conversations of breakfast, the sounds of the tables being cleared while we sing songs, the bustling days of activity, the quiet moments of conversation, the preparations for EP, the laughter, applause, and especially the quiet that envelopes camp in an instant as taps plays softly and we go to sleep. This is an amazing place to spend the summer. It just gets better and better. I really do think that heaven will be a lot like camp. Full of praise, worship, conversation, joy, laughter, and wonder. How good God is…
Sundays begin with the “optional” 3 mile run… Greystone Stumblers. At August Camp every camper (almost) takes advantage of the opportunity to “Pay the Price for the Prize”: Price is 3 mile run/walk; prize is a cool T-Shirt. This tradition was started by my father about 25 years ago and is a wonderful way to start the day. The air is cool, we are mellow from our slumbers, we run, get the endorphines flowing, have a lot of “talk time”, and then go up to the dining hall to enjoy some Banana Bread and juice.
We don’t have classes today: Sunday School, Church, Lunch, Rest Hour, then free activities this afternoon. The waterpark, pool, and canoes will be very popular. So too the Scavenger hunt, ladder ball, kick ball and frisbee… mostly it is a fun day to hang out and do anything you like!
Our Worship Service will be led by our resident camp minister Tim Udouj, an RUF (Reformed University Fellowship) minister at Furman University. Our camp ministers are all RUF ministers, they have the flexibility and the temprament for the job. They are amazing… I especially look forward to Tim’s return at August Camp. He has always been the final minister, preaches just one time, and it always feels very poignant.
The weather was perfect for carnival yesterday: cloudy, no rain, perfect temperatures. Today is sunny and mild. The rest of the camp session promises to be the same… just a chance of scattered showers every afternoon, otherwise sunny skies! The moon is going to be full this week… the perfect way to end the summer.
I am glad you are with us!
Jimboy