CampHappens

Last year, in 1848, a man by the name of John Sutter discovered gold at his mill on The American River in California. Now, it seems the whole world is on their way to California to strike it rich. It’s a difficult journey, but that isn’t stopping people in the least.

That’s where I come in. My name is Adam Jensen and I’m a trail guide. I help families make it across the mountains, rivers and seemingly endless plains that they must traverse to make it to California. It’s quite an ordeal, but the victory is mostly in the preparation. Once our families are organized, they have to carefully choose what supplies they need to buy with their limited money. Do they want bacon or apples? Should they buy an expensive extra wagon axel? Or maybe they should purchase a deck of cards or a banjo to keep from getting bored? And of course, what kind of weaponry will they need for hunting and protection. The men always get very excited about that part. Then it’s time to hit the old dusty trail.

Our families have to face many trials along the trail. Someone might come down with cholera, requiring fresh water from a water cask and some fruit to help with the recovery. Or a hunting accident might require some whiskey to sanitize the wound. Hopefully the family bought some! Other challenges including hunting animals with a bow and arrow and negotiating for passage across a river by bartering with the ferryman.

The families have to learn to work together, how the 49-ers traveled and a bit about the history of California. I love it, and the families do to.

So how about you? Have you ever gone on a difficult journey? What did you learn from it?

More about our Outdoor School program here.

Coming together as Outdoor School Staff has been so much fun. It seems as if we gelled instantly and have already formed bonds that will last a lifetime. Everyone has different strengths to bring to the table to create an amazing team. Staff training has so much to offer in a day’s time; good food, core classes, all camp games, community building, more good food, archery, work days, and of course HIKES!

As a staff we have completed many treks through the Los Padres National Forest. Coming to El Camino Pines from Chicago, hikes have become one of my favorite things to do! The mountains are quite the jaw dropping change from the prairie state or city life I would normally call home. Before last week, I had never gone on the Sunset Hike. So a group of us set out towards Frontier Pines on Saturday afternoon with hiking shoes and water bottles. Let me tell you, thank goodness I had that water bottle because my awesome coworkers failed to mention that the majority of this hike was UPHILL! After an hour of windy dirt paths, water breaks, positive “we are almost there” statements, and the last and worst uphill battle, we reach our final destination. Standing on top of this mountain, looking out onto the rest of the mountain range, was the most refreshing and breath-taking feeling. It felt as if the Earth could go on forever. We made it! I made it!

Camp is filled with these types of experiences every day. Whether it is adventures like the Sunset Hike, cutting firewood or singing camp songs, these opportunities are bringing our staff closer together, creating relationships with retreat groups and churches, and strengthening our relationship with God. Thank you LRCC! I need a nap!

- Joan, LRCC Year Round Staffer

Welcome to Camp! Day one, I arrived with a bit of nerves, anxious to see what it means to work at camp. After a two hour drive, and 45 minutes of traffic, I was greeted by gray and green A-frames, and the forest. Not a soul in site. Rumor had it I would be living in the front house, so I parked my car in front of the first A-frame I saw, a lucky guess. I walked around camp a bit to find someone, anyone who might be staff, to no avail. Then I checked the chapel and Lauri happened to be in there trying to fix the broken curtains. Perfect, I had met my boss. Funny thing was, she didn’t know where the rest of the staff had gone off to either, until a car came rolling down the road filled with Starbucks, and staff. This was my team.

Imagine working with 7 of your most outgoing, extroverted, high-energy friends… welcome to camp! As an adult, this is my first camp experience, and as a big kid, I have not been to camp since the fifth grade. We had been there going on a month, and are quite bonded as a staff, and as a camp family. The days are long, as I had expected, but ironically, when we are given time off maybe a few hours here or there in between training, none of us know what to do with it! It’s funny how quickly one’s body adjusts to a new lifestyle and the constant thread of activity. We are a loud group (thank you Lauri for pointing that out today), but I think we all already knew that. If breakfast and activities were not loud enough, just wait till lunch! The laughter could likely be heard at the Mil Potrero turn off. Outdoor school will not be easily forgotten this year, the group that is musically—well, disinclined save for three, and physically very capable. Lauri thanks the economy for the vast talents of our group.

When I wrote this in the Fall, we had one school come so far, and they were aware of their status as our first student group. We performed quite well, and the kids had a great time, splinters and all. One thing I can absolutely speak to is the leadership of this team. We are a low drama, no shenanigans group, and we take care of each other. We are complimentary in class teaching, and discipline to one another, and the students were quite responsive. We have had in addition to the students, two work parties, and a few retreats. So far, only men’s groups and a youth group, but the year is very young.

My favorite days thus far have consisted of the work projects. I would like to build my own house one day, and maybe by June I will have acquired some of the important skills necessary. So far after just under a month, I have done demolition on a wood shed, painted some furniture, tiled a floor, deconstructed an organ (for repurposing) cut a whole lot of fire wood, and eaten far too many flies for my liking. Don’t worry; they will die off come winter (I’m actually looking forward to the cold days for this reason). That’s about it! Dinner time is approaching, and I’d hate to be late for some of Mama Lynn’s good cooking, so I’ll leave you with this thought, how many people does it take to turn Chuchupate into a nurse’s station?

Come up and meet this amazing year round staff! We have winter retreats, family retreats and a women’s retreat coming up. We will welcome you and make you feel like part of the family!