Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - July/82

Contributor - Mr. John DeJong

Title - Summer Camping

Topic - Leisure

As I look out into the backyard and see the ducks and Canada Geese swimming in the pond, and all the flowers bursting into colour, I feel the old familiar itch to get outdoors and enjoy the summer sunshine. We can thank God for his wonderful gift of creation, which He renews every spring. Everyone is obliged to be happy and smile in appreciation of God's great gift.

This is the time of year that parents and children together make plans for their holiday activities. Summer is a great opportunity for family sharing; and what better way is there to enjoy the season than to go camping?

Boys and girls will go back to Camp Shalom to renew the friendships they made last year, to visit their counsellors, to enjoy all the daily activities, and to try to avoid ending up in "Kangaroo Court for hopping out of line, for unacceptable behaviour at meal times or for trying to stay out of the boys' and girls' cabins, all of which is almost impossible to avoid and stay ',clean". How can they resist such temptation being in a holiday mood? Speaking of "clean", when you are camping for a week and Mother is not looking over your shoulder, you can even put the same clothes on every morning, or use the same towel every morning, or don't wash at all (the water is so cold and you really can't be bothered). When you come home, Mother is all ready with the washing machine, because you had three sets of clothes to get dirty, but when she opens the suitcase, there is everything neatly folded. She had no idea you were trained so well!

But, of course, you will not get away with this all summer. After a week at camp on your own, Mother and Dad are taking you for a week's holidays. For the first time you are going family camping. Now Johnny can tell Dad how to set up a camp site, since he has a camping badge from Cadets. Even Susy knows all about camping - the Calvinettes earn camping badges too. She can help Mom with the cooking, identify poison ivy or poisonous snakes, apply first aid and follow all the important rules, such as: don't wander off alone; don't play harmful tricks; don't go swimming alone; don't store food in your tent or anywhere in the reach of animals; clean up the campground; put out all fires; don't pick wild flowers; and so on. Susy can hardly wait to get to the camp site!

While the family drives to the part, Johnny and Susy compare what they have learned about camping at Cadets and Calvinettes, while Mom and Dad enjoy the countryside and God's wonderful creation. After a long drive, they finally arrive at the campsite, and now the skills come into practice. Johnny had no idea how little Dad knew about camping - but then Dad never went to Cadets! Johnny remembers in order to choose a campsite you must consider drainage, protection from the wind, location for the tent, location for a fire and location for garbage disposal. When everyone had done their share, they had set up an excellent campsite together.

The whole week was a great sharing experience for everyone. Mom and Dad kept the children busy everyday with swimming, canoeing, hiking, exploring and, of course, at the nightly campfire, when Dad would tell stories about his life as a teenager, or Mom would tell Sunday School stories. What a great time they had together. Mom and Dad thanked God for that wonderful week; and Johnny and Susy thanked God for their Christian parents, who are concerned about church activities, Camp Shalom and doing things as a family to honour God.

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