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| Our family’s first summer camp!! |
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Last week was amazing, as our family participated in Homeschool Family Camp at Camp Susque, PA. What a blast!! What great family memories! We were there with about 15 other Christian homeschooling families, all lovely people! Most of them were returning campers, regulars year after year. They were very accepting of “new” people though. (We were asked quite a few times, “Is this your first time?”, and at the end of our stay, “Are you coming back next year?”)
The accommodations were rustic (platform tent or wood cabin), the food yummy (we signed up for the meal plan), and the scenery beautiful! The camp is tightly nestled among the mountains near Williamsport, next to crystal clear Lycoming Creek. There’s even a queer looking little observatory in the center of the camp, though the telescope was broken.
Each day started with a chapel service, including worship and a message. The purpose of HFC was mainly recreation, with organized activities plus LOTS of free time. The funnest things were volleyball, mountain hiking, Ultimate Simon Says, square dancing, and the talent show! These are the five memories that stand above the rest:
Bullseyes
Our family signed up for archery class together. We all struggled to hit the target the first day, but on day two I actually hit a bullseye! Then, while my classmates were still congratulating me, Laura shot an arrow of her own right into the same hole I made with my bullseye! Reminiscent of Robin Hood’s arrow splitting shot! Talk about stealing the show! Though the next day I hit two more bullseyes for bragging rights in the family, I still lost to a 12-yr old girl in the class tournament, sending my decisive final arrow...into the ground. Ouch.
The Jump
Early in the week we experienced Rock Run, a nearby swimming hole with a 25-foot high rock wall on one side. (It's REALLY high!) Local residents do trick dives off the rock, visitors merely gather the courage to jump. Many people come just to watch others dive/jump. The jump was high (it's worth repeating), the water frigid, with onlookers aplenty. None of these things made me eager to try jumping. However, after watching Laura and my kids jump several times, my courage showed up and I jumped (along with my daughter and her best friend). Now I too can say I jumped!
The Volleyball Match
There’s church picnic volleyball, and then there’s real volleyball. The first couple days we played the picnic variety. No teamwork, young athletic guys spiking everything coming near them, unskilled players struggling just to get the ball over, players crashing into each other... But on Thursday, I received a personal invitation to play with an elite group of the best players! It was the best volleyball of the week! But I wonder if some people begrudged the fact that they weren’t asked to play? Ah well, they’ve got a year to practice before invitations go out again, lol.
The Talent Show
A couple months ago my oldest daughter taught herself how to play “Good Things are Bound to Happen” on piano. It’s a snappy number from a play she was in, Fee Fi Fo Fum. Her best friend at camp got wind that she loves to play the song, and volunteered all of us to sing with her in the family talent show. Yikes! And we didn’t actually discover this until half an hour before showtime, so no practice! Ugh!! Well, it actually turned out to be great fun, with a very encouraging and supportive audience. Here’s to show biz!
Climbing Lookout Mountain On the morning of our last full day, I decided to go up Lookout Mountain for my morning quiet time (silly me). It was still dark when I set out at 6am, Bible and flashlight in hand. I expected a leisurely hike. Being new to the camp though, there were a LOT of things I didn’t know about Lookout Mountain. Like how high it is, and which of the trails up is easiest. I ended up picking the steepest trail which basically goes straight up! An hour later, my achy, sweat-dripping 40-something year old body reached the summit. After a brief quiet time w/the Lord, I discovered the easy trail I meant to take before, and jogged most of the way down in time for breakfast. Later in the day, I volunteered to lead family and friends back up Lookout Mountain. Climbing a mountain twice in one day is among the silliest things I’ve ever done.
None of us will ever forget our first HFC at Susque. So much fun!! We’ve already signed up to do it again next year! (We reserved “Blackfoot” tent.) My son informed us, “You know, when you come back a second time people start getting to know you.” Indeed they shall!
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| To add a comment to "Our family’s first summer camp!!" |
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| August 22, 2009 |
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We returned a week ago today...I had intended to post this sooner, but had trouble finding time to finish writing it. Debating whether to post the longer version, and if so, where...(here or Facebook). |
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| August 22, 2009 |
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Sounds like a lot of fun.. Glad you guys had a great time.. I don't suppose there's any video you can post of the family in the Talent Show? I bet you guys did awesome!! |
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| August 22, 2009 |
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| [star!] |
I am thriled to hear about your impromtu musical preformance! Sounds like a blast! And since I don't have you as a friend on Facebook I hope that this is the longer version posted here!!!!! Wonderful to hear you had a great time! Stay blessed Brother :- ) |
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| August 22, 2009 |
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Maureen, sorry, no video :( ..we have pics which oughta be posted on Laura's FB page. Maybe I'll stick a few here. :) Jade, thanks! Though we couldn't hold a candle to you, we did the best we could under the circumstances. :) |
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| August 22, 2009 |
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| [star!] |
That sounds Awesome Mike!!! I was not aware of Home-school camps, will have to see if we have something like that around here!!! |
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| August 23, 2009 |
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| [star!] |
That was the most AWESOME vacation ever!!!! Great blog!! I liked the Family Skit Night too. It was fun watching everyone display their various talents. :D P.S... Dad, It's "FEE Fi Fo Fum". Two E's. lol ;) P.S.S... Here's to show biz! Reminds me of Doctor Warfield... hahaha! |
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| August 23, 2009 |
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Heya Mike, It looks like you had a great time. The old English proverb says "Charity begins at home", meaning, when we talk about the Love of Christ to others, we must make sure that we begin the Love at home. It is very important that we have a harmonious home first and then we go on to share our Love, Joy and Peace with others. You have been a wonderful husband ( as always you are ) and a wonderful father ( I can guess this much from the comment posted by Sherlock) Keep up the Good work, You are the ideal person to share gospel with others! |
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| August 23, 2009 |
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| [star!] |
That sounds awesome, Mike! Really awesome (I love cliff jumping and actually got to do it a few years back in mission! Woot!). And BTW, you think there's a spiritual parallel there in your hike up the mountain using the hardest path? Hmmm???? lol Welcome back! |
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| August 23, 2009 |
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| [star!] |
I MISSED YOU MIKEY n LAURA.
SO GLAD YOUR BACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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| August 23, 2009 |
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| [star!] |
sounds like a great time in a great place. Family Camp is a fun way to go. Hope to see a few pics. |
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| August 24, 2009 |
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| [star!] |
great life story, loved it very much... |
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| August 24, 2009 |
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Always fun to get away from the normal life and have a good time relaxing and doing other things that you don't always get to do. I used to be a camp counselor and director. That's where I got my feet wet in ministry. I miss it! |
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| August 24, 2009 |
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Todd, that isn't surprising. You're obviously a fun-lovin guy, young at heart with a talent for connecting w/youth. (from what little I've seen, that's my take)
Lara, you strike me as a cliff jumper! :)
Thanks Marilyn, Crystal, & Gary!
Rag, your comment means a lot to me! |
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| August 24, 2009 |
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| [star!] |
Sounds like loads of fun... Those rare moments when family and friends can get together and just enjoy each other is so precious. Glad to have you back my friend... |
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| August 24, 2009 |
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| Thanks Mary! Perhaps tonight I will dump a few pics on here. I just looked through the ones Laura posted on FB, they are a delight! |
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| August 24, 2009 |
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| Oh, I was scared but I'm a show off and I was one of the oldest ones whereas most were teens, so I just HAD to cliff jump. Hehe Although done that stuff growing up. You get wimpy as you age. lol |
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| August 24, 2009 |
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| get wimpy as you age....my kids are starting to point that out, lol |
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| August 24, 2009 |
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| LOL!!! |
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| August 24, 2009 |
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| speak for yourself buddy, washed up is where i'm at!!!! |
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| August 24, 2009 |
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| I believe in you, Crystal! |
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| August 24, 2009 |
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Sounds as though you indeed had a wonderful time. So glad for you & your family. |
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| August 24, 2009 |
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WOW Neato time with new experiences and friends Mike n Laura... PTL!
Blessings In Him... :o)
Herman |
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| August 27, 2009 |
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Can Greg and I go next year? Well... he might not be into that, but I would love that kind of stuff!!!!
Will you let me go with ya????? Pritty pleeze with suga on it? |
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| August 28, 2009 |
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Panda, Herman, Marcella......lovely people, lovely responses....thank you! Joey, we would WELCOME you and Greg. There is no TV, and you would have a mighty BLAST!! I'm serious! |
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