Lessons from a Youth Group Camping Trip

I have just returned from a weekend in the woods with our church youth group. We spent the weekend camping. I’m ashamed to say that I went kicking and screaming this year. I kind of had a Jonah moment. It’s not that I mind sleeping in a tent or the fact that it always rains. Seriously, it rains every time I camp and this trip was no exception. It’s not that I am even horribly opposed to a weekend with no shower. Of course, the person who sat next to me at dinner on Saturday night might not have been happy with my lack of showering.

No, what I mind the most is the hours and hours of work required when I return home. The laundry alone, turns into a two-day chore, especially when everything you took is wet.

The laundry alone, turns into a two-day chore.

Then there’s the fact that you have to put up your tent again to let it dry in the driveway and we have two, along with blowing up air mattresses, and taking out folding chairs and cleaning coolers with bleach.

“Why do I always have to go camping?” I questioned God. “Why can’t some other parents go?” I got no answer to that, but I knew in my heart that I was supposed to go. I grudgingly went.

We planned something new this year. My hubby, our youth pastor and I, brainstormed on how to get more families involved and we came up with the idea that perhaps people who didn’t want to camp, might come for a family dinner.

Now, that you have heard my many objections to this trip, let me tell you how blessed I was for being a part of it. This group of kids was amazingly sincere and deep. Pastor Nikki asked them during devotion time on Saturday morning, to go and find something from nature that reminded them of a story or concept from the Bible. I was amazed at what they came up with. There were thirteen kids and each one had something different.

There was a stick that was Moses’ staff to part the Red Sea and a log used to build the Ark and a stone to represent the woman who the religious leaders wanted to stone before Jesus intervened. There was a tiny branch that represented the olive branch that the dove brought to Noah when he was searching for land. Another rock represented the one that took down Goliath. I was stunned at their Biblical knowledge and creativity.

Then there was an affirmation activity where three people had to say something well thought out, about the person standing up. Here again, the comments were just beautiful.

There was a family who I didn’t know very well who showed up to help with everything from meals to making a fire and it was a joy getting to know them. They were so much fun.

We had around thirty-five people for our family dinner and it was fabulous. My hubby smoked two Boston butts. One of the moms showed up and helped me peel potatoes and she brought my hubby a cake for his birthday. It was more than I could have ever hoped for.

When we started a worship time, it began to pour down rain. Everyone moved to the covered pavilion and squeezed in tight to hear the message. After the families left, Pastor Nikki had the kids sing Happy Birthday to my hubby and we all shared cake that another mom brought.

I really was moved by it all and I was ashamed for my reluctance to obey God’s calling. And on Sunday morning, as I trudged to the bathroom, God rewarded me with a gorgeous sunrise.

I would have never seen this masterpiece if I hadn’t obeyed God’s call to go camping.

To top it off, when we arrived home, one of the dads from the night before who had also come for Sunday morning worship, pulled into our driveway. He hopped out of his car and told us he knew that if he asked if he could help, we would have told him no, so he just came. He helped put together all of that stuff in the driveway. This is the community that I am always writing about, right here.

As I write this, I am humbled by the blessings I received this weekend and moved to tears at God’s desire to bless me as I serve Him, even when I do it kicking and screaming. I hope I will be more willing and enthusiastic next time.

How are you doing with obedience? I’d love to hear from you.

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂