The Last Full Day

Everything about this last full day of family camp was fabulous.

Before the light of day the two of us roll out of our double bed/double sleeping bag so that we can get to the shoreline to watch for the first light and for the spectacular moment when the sun pops-up above the mountains on the mainland and on this Friday, we weren't disappointed and that can be seen in the photos.

The morning and the shoreline complement each other . . . it is a favorite part of our camp day and a favorite spot in the camp for us and this year marked our 30th anniversary of getting up very early and together going to the shore to wait for the sunrise and to do our daily bible reading.

The Friday morning activities keep the same schedule as the other days of the week, but the afternoon brings lots of excitemet and a change of activities.

This last afternoon is the traditional event -- the "milk carton boat race." With a combo of milk cartons, sticks, twigs, plastic for sails, and lots of duck tape -- the designs are unique. Usually the dads swim out to the float with the boats to the starting line and then the "start" is called and the rest is left to the action of the waves. The first three boats to the shore are the winners. This race is considerably more exciting than my words are conveying.

After the boat race sometimes there is a baptism service. This year seven of the campers had decided they wanted to be baptized in the ocean and they ranged in age from a young father to little Zac who is 5 years old and the son of Jessica who is the daughter of our friends Bob & Cheri; they are all here from Texas. The water is so cold, it just gave me the shivers to watch each one walk out into it (but most of thm had been out swimming earlier).

So after the boat race and the baptisms, everyone begins the process of getting ready for the big event of the week: the banquet. It begins at 6:00 p.m. and the camp staff does a marvelous job of converting the dining hall into a beautiful banquet facility. The meal is always comparable to a meal in the finest of restaurant. I've included a photo in the collage of the first course, the salad. When the meal is concluded there is always lots of "telling" as everyone has the opportunity to go to the microphone to explain what was a highlight of camp for them. This is always a wonderful moment of reflection.

The banquet usually lasts several hours and all the kids and youth are having their own age-graded banquets in other camp buildings. It is a grand evening and really the grand finale of our week at camp.

Even though we did nothave the pleasure of taking our little five-year-old great grandson, Tristan, with us this year, we still had an absolutely wonderful week at family camp.

From Southern California's Catalina Island,
Rosie (& Mr. Fun), aka Carol