Quality Time

Quality time is a concept that our family embraces.

Oxford defines quality time as: time spent in giving another person one’s undivided attention in order to strengthen a relationship. Quality time is obviusly a foundational building block of any good camp experience. It is worth noting how we intentionally work this into our camp… many of these things work at home too!

• Screens Off- Simply by removing the distractions of phones, computers, and TVs our relationships are strengthened. When everyone knows the rule, they embrace it!
• DMCs- Deep Meaningful Conversations usually occur because they have been requested. Don’t be afraid of asking your daughter to a “shop date” or free time DMC. Sharing a treat or taking a walk with the express purpose of having a meaningful conversation will likely be well received.
• PLAY- The benefits of unstructured play is widely understood but seldom encouraged. We program so much into our family calendar it leaves no time for our children to simply go outside and play. Next time the opportunity arises, play with them… get some yard games ready ahead of time and see if they don’t just pick up the beanbag and start tossing it… join in and let the quality time begin!
• Exercise- My grandparents always took a walk after dinner and required anyone who ate at the table to do the same. Never a long walk, never strenuous, but just a routine that provided a good opportunity to talk. Looking back, I see that we treasured that routine. At most other times any conversations with the grandparents felt more like a test to us children, but never at the after dinner walk!
• Mealtime- Sitting down at the table to eat together is low hanging fruit on the Quality Time Tree. Obvious, but true… come prepared with engaging subjects or table games to break the ice and keep it fresh. When the Bible describes our entry into heaven it is with the image of a banquet feast. Mealtime reflects such glory in a small way. Bonus points if you pray!
• Surprises- Our calendars are so fully booked we often do not allow for delightful surprises. We know exactly what we will be doing all the time and for some reason our anticipation of the next day wanes. Work surprises into your family life. It is fun and allows you to provide more Quality Time.
• Celebrations- Theme days are fun (when was the last time you did backwards day at your home?). Marking achievements with a nice dinner is fun. Birthday Parties are fun. Why not celebrate more things? Life is good… we are blessed… we should be grateful… so celebrate!
• Gifts- My father’s love language was gifts. He thus worked gift giving into various celebration moments in our family. Looking back, it certainly made such moments stand out. At camp we give away a lot of T-shirts, stickers, postcards, game sheets, food treats. Not a bad idea to duplicate at home.
• Skills- Consider learning a new skill with your daughter. Crafts, Knitting, Metal Jewelry, Glass Beads, Pickleball, Fishing, Riding, French Cooking, Bread Baking… whatever you both are enthusiastic about doing together.
• Devotions- Consider adding a devotion/tuck-in time to your nightly routine with your daughter. This is MUCH beloved at camp. Simply get a good devo book (we highly recommend “New Morning Mercies” by David Tripp or “Jesus Calling” by Sarah Young), turn the lights off and read by flashlight, then tuck-in with a quick affirming prayer of love.

Camp is a place that provides quality time all the time. The campers and counselors gradually find themselves enjoying quality time without even trying. It is the way camp works and CAN BE the way life works too!

Last night we enjoyed another one of those “can’t beat it” moments with our own private concert with Drew and Ellie Holcomb. Such a wonderful family, such incredible artists… we love them and kept the concert a secret till the last minute. The girls went crazy! It was a super night.

• Breakfast Waffles
• Lunch Shepherd’s Pie
• Dinner Pork Chops
• EP A surprise! We will be running around a lot.
• Weather High of 78, partly sunny, breezy.
• Sermon Listen to yesterday’s Sermon, you will be glad you did! Thirty Minutes well spent.

Thank You!