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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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