Smiles and Hope on the Horizon

If there is one thing camp has produced in great abundance over the years it is smiles. Happiness is contagious at camp.

I remember years I longed for camp. I lasted through the agony of middle school just for a taste of camp. There were times when I knew I could make it because camp was on the horizon.

Sometimes happiness on the horizon draws one through that which is unbearable. Hope out ahead makes life worth living.

The hope that camp is coming is a metaphor of the hope we have in Heaven. Knowing what's coming, ultimately, makes what's coming between now adn then worth the effort.

Arise, My Love

Baptism is such a beautiful thing.

When one arises from the waters, it is a person rising from the dead. It is becoming one with Jesus. It is a new beginning.

I have seen tons of baptisms in Mirror Lake. Every single one of them is beautiful, special, unique.

Anyone out there got a Mirror Lake baptism story?

Summer Beauty in December

Children Matter

At Flaming Pine Youth Camp, children matter. It is the reason for the very existence for camp.

Children add to the beauty of the world. Their innocence, their sense of wonder, their unawareness to how horrible this world can be is what brings grown ups hope when we look at them.

We are to become like childen. Though we become initiated into sin, and darkness, and doubt, we can reclaim, or at least get a small hint into that childness.

We must strive to be like children as we grow older.

All Camp Reunion

Flaming Pine Youth Camp
All- Camp Reunion
July 20-22, 2007

Join us for an unforgettable weekend! The first All - Camp Reunion is an opportunity to reconnect with people from around the country who have touched our lives through this “Northern Woods” location. There will be something for everyone; including singing, fellowship, campfire time, “skit” night and time to reconnect with friends and family.

As camp continues its 31 year of traditions, please take this opportunity to relax, reminisce, and celebrate all the good things God has done through this unique setting!

Visit the camp web site for more information!
www.fpyc.org

Friends are Friends Forever

Capturing the Old Lodge

Lisa Ford has created this wonderful blanket. Most are sold, but some remain. I believe they are now at camp. If you want one, you'd better hustle and make a contact to Don or Becky in order to get one or contact Lisa Ford.

LeRoy adn Lisa are modeling this wondeful work. They are also representing a multigenerational connection that is more than a symbolic pose - it shows that much is shared between generations.

The multigenerational aspect of family camp is wonderful. Although I personally believe that we cpould do even better at intergenerational contect at family camp, it is good how it is done right now.

Tradition

In this postmodern generation it might seem like all of the moorings have come loose and we are floating freely into who knows where?

Now, as one who is friendly to postmodern philosphy, I am not afraid of change. I like it. At the same time, losing a sense of history is a serious mistake. We must not neglect the past as we venture into the future.

This is what I love about FPYC. As we go forward, we look back as well. There are signs of the past all over camp, and yet there are signs of progress as well.

One of the best ways to connect to the past is to maintain traditions. There are some great traditions at camp. The hike, crazy campfire, appreciation dinner, skit night, morning devo etc. These things connect us to the past, keep us grounded as we live in a world the seems to be coming undone.

What is your favorite camp tradition?

Camp Is Conversation

If there is one great thing about being with camp people it is the conversations that happen. Now, certainly camp is nature and fun and getting away, and of course it is freedom from the technology that so binds us (like right now). Yes, it's all that, but what would camp be without the conversations?

Think about the best conversation you have ever had at camp. Maybe the conversation occurred while gazing at stars or the Northern Lights. Could be it happened on the hike, trying to pass the time. Maybe you went deep during a Bible class. Lots of conversations happen at meals or during late night games.

Camp, my friends, is conversations.

Camp Dinner

Here's LeRoy, taking joy in the annual camp dinner and auction. From one generation to the next generation, the joys of camp are recalled, reaffirmed, are retold as this late Fall tradition
has come to us once again.

I have word that over $11,000 were raised from donations made during this exciting annual event. The food was great, the auctioneer was hilarious as usual, and the people were generous.

Now we look forward to the holidays, to Snow Days, and then to something very special this summer. There will be an all camp reunion. More to come on this event.

The Legend of Grizzly Ogren

If you are familiar with Flaming Pine Youth Camp, the you know Al Ogren. He was instrumental in founding the camp back in the 1970's along with some other visionaries. What many people do not know is that Al has a twin. Yes, it is true. Here is a picture recently released from the super secret Flaming Pine vault. It looks like Al Ogren playng guitar. It is not.

Folks, this is one of only three known pictures of Grizzly Ogren. Grizzly, Al's twin, filled in for Al one year while Al had some emergency duties as a school principal he had to attend to over the summer. Back in those days there were not a pool of camp directors from which to choose like we have today, so Al had to call on his competent, yet reluctant brother, Grizzly.

Before they could come to an agreemnt, there was a debtate betwee Al and Grizzly. Al asked Grizzly to shave his beard and thin out his hair. Al figured that since they were twins, no one would even know Al was gone. Grizzly, being the more principled of the two (though he himself was not a principal), refused. "If I am going to direct camp," said Grizzly, "I am going to direct it as Grizzly, not my little brother." Grizzly did precede Al in birth by a mere 13 seconds, but just enough to give him big brother status. Al, sometimes a little embarrassed at his brother for all of his facial hair and eating habits John the Baptist, was afraid that the camp might crumlbe under Grizzly's leadership, but Al was in a bind, so he gave in and let Grizzly direct as Grizzly.

The family camp session in which Grizzly Ogren directed was wonderful. There were actually some people who did not believe Grizzly was Al's twin, but was Al playing a joke one everyone. In fact, to this day many will deny the existence of Grizzly Ogren. Those of usmwho were there, those of us who know - we believe.

If anyone remembers Grizzly Ogren, feel free to comment.

Camp Dinner in Paris

The annual camp dinner is round the corner. Saturday, to be exact. It is also an auction. Bring your fat wallet adn get ready to bid, bid, bid.

Word on the street is that the dinner will include this tasty dish, Chicken Cordon Bleu. The theme will be Paris. This gourmet dinner will get you in the buying mood.

I'll be taking pictures at the dinner for the blog.

At the name of Jesus...

At the name of Jesus, every tree will bow.

OK, that was a little twist on scripture. These trees are fallen giants near the assembly of the giants near Thistle Dew Lake on the hike. These enormous trees are amazing. I recall first seeing these trees as a child. I was awestruck. I remember looking up and wondering what it would be like to be up that high.

And then one time at teen camp, we did the night hike. We left at dusk with our flashlights and water canteens - and faith in our leader. When we arrived at the assembly of the giants, we made a campfire and had a devotional. It was one of those beautiful experiences. Exciting, moving, and a little dangerous. Well, it probably wasn't all that dangerous, but it did feel that way.

When the devo was over, we put out the fire, but hung around a while. As the fire went out, the darkness of the night closed in. Then someone got the idea to shoot the beam of their flashlight up into the giant trees. Then everyone with a flashlight did the same. The beams of light shooting up through the lingering campfire smoke into the trees was beautiful. Somehow, it took us.

Sometimes when God wants to be a God of wonders, it's next to impossible to resist.

I thank God for wonders.

Tuggy: The New Log

Back in the day, there was no Tuggy in the lake. Tuggy, in case you didn't know, is pictured here and is the joy of young children at FPYC swim periods. It's really fun to watch a bunch of kids riding on this sinking ship into the 3 foot depths of the swimming area.

Sometimes they make their way near the water basketball court, and then it gets really interesting. SPLASH! Someone goes down. And there is Tuggy, half submerged.

When camp first got going, back before Al Gore invented the internet, there was no Tuggy. There was in its place a floating log. It resembled the kind of log lumberjacks might compete on in a log rolling event. Untold fun was to be had on the log. The log made swimming so much fun, especially for young children who were not able to swim way out to the raft.

It was way back in thoses days. Look at this picture of Tuggy here and notice the tree helf submerged in the water. Back then that tree was alive and merely leaning over the water, not touching it. "No climbing on the tree," was the mantra. And there was always climbing on the tree.

Anyone else have memories of the log?

Lodge moves Right Along

Wow, what a wonderful sight. The lodge is moving right a long. The new Lodge is going to be a a great addition to the camp.

I am getting pretty excited about this new lodge.

And hey, if you are remembering your great camp experience and want to connect with camp people and yuk it up some more, then the annual capm dinner and auction is coming up and it is a great time to rejuvinate your spirit.

Let's all go to the camp dinner and auction and have a great time. As has been the tradition for the past several years, the dinner is a themed event. The theme this year is Paris. You are going to love it.

The Lodge is Coming

The lodge is coming. Well, the old one is going and the new one is on the way.

Thanks to Dale Ogren for this photo.

Great Counselors

What would camp be without the terrific counselors we have each year? I am grateful now more than ever for great counselors as my daughter (featured here) is camper age.

If you were ever a camper at FPYC, then you had an experience with a counselor. Usually they have made for good memories. I am grateful for Richard Houle, Chris Shanks, Brett Osborne, Paul Maynard, and many others.

Anyone else have a counselor they would like to honor here on the camp blog?

Camp Fire

Campfire has been the one of the most fun, crazy, and meaningful times of camp sessions. If ever there were a place at camp where traditions were perpetuated, it is the campfire.

B-u-bb-l-e g-u-m spells bublegum bubblegum.
John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt
There's a hole, there's a hole in the middle of the sea
Three blue pigeons
Myrna

Oh the pines are ablaze...

What are your favorite moments around the campfire?

The Sandpit - only a pit stop

When I learned that the sandpit was no longer and interactive event with nature, but was a relic that inspired nostalgiac storytelling, I became sad. My children will never have the joy I did of managing their way down the precarious sandpit.

Yes, it's steeper now, but good grief. I wanted to join my kids in a trip down the sandpit and I couldn't.

It kind of felt like being in school and the whole class getting punished for the misdeeds of the one punk in the class.

Yes, I understand the safety first thinking htat goes into deciions like this, but in my not so humble opinion, the decision stinks.

On the other hand, my kids will never miss it like I would, never having tasted the joys of the sandpit.

Too Cute

I am not sure what is going on here in this picture. Could it be a gopher in pink? A cute pose? Who knows? All I know is that cuteness seems to emerge around the campfire every year.

Fun in the sun

Camp was hot this year - Texas hot. With highs soaring into triple digits and no AC to be found, smart campers headed to the lake for a wonderful cool down.

I found the lake 5 times this summer during the session I attended - a personal record. I was not alone.

Water basketball games broke out daily during boy's swim period. I do not know what happened during girl's swim period, but I heard reports that it was quite busy as well.

I was grateful for a beautiful, clean lake for a refreshing dip. No weird green color, no poisonous snakes, and no creepy cloudy opaque am-I-gonna-catch-something color to the water - like I have seen in so many lakes in other states.

Anyone else enjoy swimming this summer?

The Lodge

This is one of the last pictures of the original lodge. It was taken July 2006. In fact, next visit to camp will reveal a new lodge.

The lodge has been one of the spiritual centers since Flaming Pine Youth Camp was purchased from the boy scouts back in the 1970's.

I have had so many deep and influetial spiritual experiences in this old lodge - too many to recount.

The lodge, back in the day, had three rooms on the end opposite the main door. My first night ever slept at Flaming Pine Youth Camp was in the center room of these three rooms in the lodge. I was too young to be in a cabin group, which would have actually been in a tent. I remember the cots that folded down from the wall. The director's "office" was next door and had one of those old mimeograph machines in it printing out those purple colored copies.

What have you experienced in the old lodge?

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The Cross

What does this symbol mean to you?

This life sized wooden cross stands over the campfire ring near the lake. It was probably used during one session over the summer in a dramatic representation of the crucifixion of Christ. Summer camp events like this can serve to provide color and life to the story of God's redemption of his people.

At the same time, Christians can get too comfy with the cross. We must never forget that this is a tool of cruel death. The cross is just a tool. It was not the cross that did anything for us, but rather what Jesus did on that cross. He changed the course of history, brought hope, fulfilled the law of Moses, and provided opportunity for life to the full and life eternal.

Jesus was certainly concerned with our life after this life and that is important to dwell on. But we must not neglect that Jesus had a mission that was more than what happens after this life. Jesus invited into a life within this life. We becomes tools for the advancement of compassion in this life. We are to spread love and forgiveness and redemption. We must go about our lives as if the purpose of our lives were to love God and love people because that is just what it is.

Your thoughts?

Flaming Pine Men's Retreat

Click here to learn about the Fall Men's Retreat at Flaming Pine.

By Example

Al Ogren is one of my favorite people in the world. There are many reasons. This picture, however, symbolizes one of the top reasons I like Al.

If anyone could claim a certain elevated status at Flaming Pine Youth Camp it would be Al. I mean, he's certainly paid his dues. Not only that, he has been at camp since day one. And finally, let's just say he's a seasoned camper. If Al didn't want to wash another dish at camp, who would say anything?

And yet here he is in summer 2006 at the helm of the dishwasher.

This is the kind of example I need, mentor I need, leadership I need.

Here are the lessons contained within this picture:

1. Leadership means never requiring something of someone else you wouldn't require of yourself.

2. Service is for everyone.

3. Working across generations can be fun.

4. No one is too good for anything.

What do you see in this picture?

Yes, Kathy Can Sing

Brett and Kathy Osborne have been married 20 years. Once upon a time, early on in their romance, I was treated (as a teenager) to a duet by them called, "Surround Me With love." It was a song that resonated with my heart because I felt like camp was the only safe place on the face of the earth. It was camp that got me through the awkward teenage years, through difficulties at home, through my "I hate everyone and everything" days. Although I spent at most 3 weeks a year at Flaming Pine Youth Camp, songs like, "Surround Me With Love," lasted the other 49 weeks.

Kathy retired from camp performances years ago. A loss, in my opinion. Well, this year at the second family session, Kathy came out of retirement and treated us (with brett of course) to that same duet, "Surround Me With love."

Kathy, thanks for coming out of retirement to bless us (me) once again with that song. It triggers something deep within me.

And, if I can find a way, I might upload a recording of that song from 1986, I believe.

Ice Cream At Camp

One of the great treats every year at Flaming Pine Youth Camp is ice cream night. It happens every year, but it is the seldom remembered treat. So, it is like a new little surprise every year:"Oh yeah, ice cream night."

With, shall we say, generous portions of heat this year, ice cream night was extremely popular.

Don't you think that there is something special and innocent about a child enjoying an ice cream cone? The amount of happiness extracted from such a simple pleasure must be part of what the heart of a child is like. There is certainly something to learn from children who enjoy ice cream cones.

Another Great Year At FPYC

It was another terrific year at Flaming Pine Youth Camp. I attended the second Family Session at the end of July - yeah, the hot one. Besides the heat and the annoying splinter I received (flip-flops at camp is a bad idea), it was great.

Just like last year, I took a bunch pf pictures and will do my best to create camp cards. I would love to receive some pictures from you all. Please e-mail pictures that you would like to become enshrined eternally as camp cards.

Include name of person/people/scene with the session. If you ahve a caption that you think fits, send that along as well.

gonza181@umn.edu

Can't wait to see what you give me. And hey, if you don't send in the picture you want to be in a campo card, then don't gripe that it's not a camp card :-)

Finally, if you have old camp photos, send those, too. If I get enough from years gone by, I'll make some special "Turn Back The Clock" cards. I would especially like to see a photo of Al Ogren's twin brother Grizzly Ogren, I believe, with the full beard.

Camp Cards

There will be Camp Cards Available at flaming Line Youth Camp soon.

What are camp cards? Well, imagine Yu Gi Oh or Pokemon cards (OK, for you old people Like me, think baseball cards), but with the picture of real live Flaming Piners or various places around Laming Pine Youth Camp. These are full color, high quality pieces of memorabilia. Oh yes, there will be a cost. But 100% of hte cost is a donation to camp. So, gather up the memories by gathering up camp cards.

OK, you might not see yourself in the pictures in camp cards. You know why? Because I don't have pictures of you. Whe I get pictures of you or pictures you've taken, then they will become a camp card. OK, it's not an absolute guarantee, but it is a huge likelihood.

So, here is what I am looking for to build the Camp Card 2007 Series:

1. Pictures of people from 2006 sessions. Please include name of person/people in picture and the session.

2. Vintage pictures from years ago. I need name of person and the year the picture was taken.

3. Scenary, current and vintage. Please indicate what is in the picutre and the year it was taken.

I want to make the 2007 series incredible. I can only do that with your picture help. I only attend one session, so if I don't get anjy pictures, then we wil ahve to rely on the pictures I take. Guys, that's a mistake. So, give me a little love and send me pics.

gonza181@umn.edu

or snail mail to :
833 Greening Drive
Apple Valley, MN 55124

The 10 Mile Hike #4 - The Meadow

When arriving in the meadow, you know that you are close to home. Not close enough that you feel confident you could get there on your own, but close enough to feel the ache in your knees blended with the anticipation of "home."

If it has rained any that day, the grass has gathered much water and waited for your jeans and socks to pick it up. The tall grass reminds you that God is keeping the lawn and he likes it tall. Besides FPYC campers, few people walk here. The old logging road is abandoned and slowly being taken over by nature's way.

As you look at the birch trees, you remember that its bark can be used to start a fire - oh yes, campfire tonight. You might even prepare for silly campfaire songs, talk with cabin mates or friends about what silly song you might sing tonight.

"There's a hole in the bottom of the sea," is sung along the hike more than in any other place besides the campfire itself. Lots of jokes have been told in the meadow. Lots of friendships made as well.

It is at this point in the hike that the conversation with the person you are hiking with has gone beyond the surface recapturing of a year apart or the gettting to know you and deeper into the stuff of life. Problems and failures, successes and lucky breaks are more easily shared by the time you get to the meadow. The meadow offers a sort of metaphor for the depth conversations take at this point, a brief coming out of the woods to openness. No longer shielded by the forest canopy, you are open and exposed - but usually pretty safe.

The 10 Mile Hike #3: Berries

After the Sandpit you walk down a dirt road for a while until the hard left back into the woods. It feels like a real hike again.

Not long after the path leads the hikers up a slight hill. Atop the hill ther is usually a brief stop, unless Al is leading, then there is no stop here. Either way, there follows a path that does a couple switchbacks down a slight hill. This is one of the best berry picking places in my memory. There are certainly others, but this one sticks in my memory as one of the best.

These raspberries and blueberries provide a much needed pause of tasteful delight. There is still sand in the shoes at this point, despite strong efforts to rid them of sand. The canteen might be empty of water by now, or is at least getting close to empty. These little snacks remind us that there is provision, free of charge, available to us all along this journey home.

Not only is there provision, it is wonderfully delicious. And there is enough for everyone. Not once has there been a time when there were no berries to be found.

The 10 Mile Hike #2 - The Sand Pit

Talk about getting a rock in your shoe. After surviving the Fire Tower, hikers travel on a short distance (although when you are a kid it is really long) to the Sand Pit, another dangerous endeavor.


Oh, the feel of adventure and danger, how intoxicating. Although I have seen a few Evil Knevals hauled off to the camp or hospital after doing flips from the top or getting a little too much speed on the way dawn, I have seen legions more filled with joy and excitement descending the Sand Pit. No where else in their lives were they able to adventure like this. The coddled suburbs or vast farmlands from where they came did not offer such an excitement.

The Sand Pit is entertainment unplugged. It is engagement with the earth far, far from the virtual world of Ipods, Playstations, and internet.

It is also the traditional half way point of the 10 mile hike. An important emotional shift happens after the brief rest, water break, and unloading of the shoes after the Sand Pit. A sense of "we're headed home" begins to invade the psyche. This is an important feeling for someone to have. It is similar to the feeling one gets when they contemplate their faith journey.

We're not home, but we're headed there - what a hopeful feeling. A few times here and there, we get a little glimpse of the elevated tree line that we know is the place where home is located. Then we wander back into the forest not seeing much but the next step immediately ahead, trusting that what we saw in the glimpse really exists.

The 10 Mile Hike #1 - The Fire Tower

For Flaming Pine veterans, the fire tower holds a special place in our memories. Once upon a time, the "10 mile hike" inlcuded a stop at the fire tower. Just after a stop for water at Thistledew Lake, we would make our way up to the fire tower. Not only would we go to the fire tower, we would ascend to the top of the fire tower.

As a parent of two kids , the thought of sending children up to the top a rickety old fire tower always in need of repairs kind of puts a shiver up my spine. At the same time I really wish I had the chance to take my kids up to the top and see for miles and miles the expansive deep green forest broken only by the occasional blue of the lakes.

I remember the feeling as a kid climbing the stairs (there was always one or two missing requiring an extra big stretch of the legs), a feeling of adventure, fear and excitement wrapped together. The sway of the tower in the wind could not be avoided. The best part was finally getting to the top platform and standing to see the view that was so much earned for the long and winding climb.

There must be some kind of life lesson in this experience. Hard work toward an exciting and rsioky goal reaps great rewards - something like that.

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