Campus by the Sea Family Camp
I was so unplugged during our week at Catalina, that I've been quite slow to replug. But it's time. . .
Here's a picture from our boatride over to Catalina. We had such a great time out there. Even though I was "working" to some extent, the Lord used it in my life and the life of our family. I'm still processing, but here are some reason's I would highly recommend this Family Camp for families from Grace:
- The Intimacy: It's small and intimate . . . no more than 200 out there at a time. . . which allows you to get to know folks. We were blown away by folks who come back year after year for 5, 10, 15 years in a row.
- The Family Integration: This truly was a family camp, really nice mix of family integration and segregation. Paul & Virginia Friesen, the camp hosts for 31 years, are committed to the growth of families and they know what they're doing.
- The Pacing: Just a really neat mix of teaching, free time, fun and great planned activities. Bingo, Talent Show, Line dancing, snorkeling, kayaking, waterskiing, hiking.
- The Setting: It feels like you're a world away. The camp grounds were small and contained, so the kids could roam free without having to worry about them. The place was rustic. . . no electricity in the cabins. The whole program was sort of a "less is more" approach.
- The Service: No cooking and dishes for a whole week! The staff was amazing. The lived to serve in any and every way possible. Bunch of neat college students, most of whom grew up attending the camp with their families and now serve through the summer.
So check it out for next year at . . . . http://www.intervarsity.org/cbs/info.php?id=3057
(You're going to want to call and request to be added to their mailing list, as the information on the website is pretty slim!)
1 comment:
I have never been to a family camp before so I can't compare it. I do know that it sells out the first week of registration. The couple that led our small group learned about the camp years ago from some friends. They were told that they should send in their registration ASAP, which they did. They got in that year, but their friends who had been coming for years were too late and missed out.
For us it was a divine appointment. Every one at Campus by the Sea was great. They began praying for our family as soon as they got our registration and we were greatly blessed as a result. Behind it all are the Friesens (Paul and Virginia), who have a special gift of hospitality. They have created an environment where God can work in a family in just the way that is needed: healing, deepening relationships, growing spiritually, having fun. It is an amazing gift and they make it look so easy.
I got this off the web site for the family camp the Friesens are doing in August back east:
"The Friesens have a particular gift for encouraging families and individuals to stand for the Lord in the midst of life's challenges. You'll be blessed not only by their years of leadership experience, but also by their availability and insight into living as a family for Christ."
They have a web site at:
www.HIMbeb.org or
www.homeimprovementministires.org.
(both go to the same place)
Check out the letters Paul Friesen wrote to his daughters while they were in college. He read some to us during the week and they are just beautiful. They are on the web site under "Letters to My Daughters".
Also the description under "Special Reports" of last years family camp in NH captures a bit more of what they do. We are still singing "The Butterfly Song" and "I Am Somebody" at our house.
Under "Speaking Schedule" I noticed that after they wrap up the camp at CBS on Catalina Island they go up to Mt. Herman in August for a week of family camp there.
Also, I loved the Freisens book reviews and noticed that they have some of them posted on their web page too.
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