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.