Words from Camp

This entry was posted on Feb 08 2013, by Tina and is filed under Family Camp, The Family Camp Blog


We anticipated going to Family Camp with our two boys for months in advance. We talked about all the activities – especially the cool river and the zip lines – to help get our boys, 11 and 7 years old, excited about the week. More quietly, my wife and I anticipated building friendships and providing a spiritual retreat for the family. From the day I signed up, I sensed Camp would be special, but it became special in an unforeseen way. On night three of our week, our younger adopted son, came running over holding his zig-zagging right arm. With lots of comfort and support, the Camp doctor splinted the brake and sent us to the hospital. Though his older brother was fearful for his brother, we felt it was best that he stay at camp and go to the rodeo night. An hour after we got to the ER, we received a call from camp; our older son had broken his left arm stepping over a chain in the dark. That night, two broken arms became the opportunity for our boys to begin overcoming tensions that had kept them from becoming “brothers.”

For the next two days, both boys wanted to leave. It was hard for them to see the activities and not be able to participate. However, they soon found that they could still have fun with calmer activities. As the camp continued, my wife and I found ourselves a little distanced from the mainstream of camp life as we focused on helping our kids. In spite of our pre-occupation, the “Couples Night Out” and the “Talent Show” were lots of fun. Perhaps we missed some of the relaxation we had anticipated, but we saw God’s beauty, were supported by caring people, and made some wonderful friendships.

Through all the dynamics of Camp, God helped our family grow closer together. Centrally, our older son, who had always been resentful at his brother’s “intrusion” into our family, found himself sharing the ordeal of a broken arm with his adopted little brother. This softened him. For the past month, everywhere the boys have gone, people asked how they both broke their arms. They look at each other, smile, and retell the story. Sharing pain and discomfort has brought them together as nothing ever has. Now they can even play the Wii together!

Camp was a huge blessing to us. Thank you so much to everyone who helped make it possible. We cannot promise that every family will get to come home with two broken arms, but we do believe that God anticipates meeting the deepest needs of each family that attends the Laity Lodge Family Camp!

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