MEMORIES THAT LAST A LIFETIME

          Over the last four decades my wife and I have lent assistance to every one of our summer youth retreats.  Perhaps I feel so strongly about the value of this important ministry to our youth because I never attended a summer camp as a youth.  I know now, first-hand, what I missed out on. Henceforth, I am ever so eager to urge young people to take part.  In the forty years of our summer youth retreat things have changed.  We have now experienced three different venues:  Judson, Elliott and Blue Rock.  We are now on our second director.  While the list of teachers, counselors and cooks has fluctuated from year to year, A SENSE OF CONTINUITY PREVAILS.   A total of thirty-five men and women counselors now have their names etched on the Ten-Year Whistle placard that adorns our church foyer.  Mark Lombardi has been a mainstay, having logged his twenty-eighth year as a counselor and “chief medic”.  Although not able to attend this summer, Deb Rossi has served as a church camp cook for thirty-six years. 

          Our focus has been constant - - with Christ and The Word being front and center.  Camp is not just about fun and games, it is about learning The Way  in order to be more like our Lord Jesus.  It is about becoming rooted in the living word of God.  Children come from various backgrounds:  some from stable and loving environments; others from turbulent and harsh households.  We have been blessed by three congregations who have worked tirelessly to provide leadership, manpower and fundage to help our camp continue seamlessly throughout the years.  This good work has flourished in making memories that will last a lifetime.  Children are a gift of the Lord (Ps.127:3).  As a church family, there is no greater good that we can do than to give our children memories that last a lifetime - - MEMORIES ANCHORED IN THE LIFE AND TEACHINGS OF JESUS THE CHRIST.