Home Away from Home
The above picture is of Windy Gap in 2005. Within my four years of high school I went to this camp for four campaigner’s weekends, three weekend camps, two weekends for work crew, and two weeks of camp work week (a plus to being homeschooled 😊). This was a home away from home for someone who did not love being away from home at all!
The first time I went my brother was a leader, so I said sure I’ll go, knowing that he would be there if I needed some comfort of home. And I did, but I made it and I loved it! Whenever someone mentions Windy Gap my mind and heart go to a place of deep peace and simplicity. Do you have a place like this?
I’ve been to Rockbridge and Sharp Top, and don’t get me wrong they are amazing! They just aren’t my Windy Gap. My brother has been to Frontier Ranch by bus, Crooked Creek, Sharp Top, and Saranac (i think). I have spoken to many people that have said it’s often the first camp they go to that is “their place.” And yes, I am speaking of Young Life/Wyldlife/Young Lives/Capernaum Camps, but this could be any kind of camp. My nephew just went to Carolina Pointe. My niece has been to Windy Gap and Rockbridge. It is kind of fun to see and hear the “why” behind what makes each camp special to each person.
For me, I don’t have any grand testimony of finding Jesus at camp. Although He is very much there! I had been walking and talking with Jesus since I was young, which sounds silly as I type, but is true. I just knew he was real because of the sickness I had been through and the way he met me in it, with peace and hope. It is something that my adult brain cannot wrap my brain around, but my child brain and heart was certain what I read in His Word, and what I was taught, and what was being prayed for was real and true.
However, if the Gospel ever stops having a shock and awe response in our hearts, then we need to reevaluate where our hearts belong. There is always more to examine and lay down. More to learn. Places to dig deeper. Questions to ask and walk through together.
Some of the great things that Young Life brought to my life:
- I absolutely loved being homeschooled in high school. It allowed me to knock out school work – needed to get a HS diploma, while also freeing up most of the day for either babysitting, hanging with leaders, making art, etc. I loved helping with little things that needed to be done around the YL office- things that no one else wanted to do- mailings, packets of info, etc. And even was able to help set up multiple banquets. Even one day during setup for a banquet a student decided they were not up for speaking, and everyone else was in school, so it would be short notice for them, so I was asked to prepare and give speech in about 4 hours. Fun stuff! The freedom of not being tied down to a school was also to my advantage. I did attended Young Life for the school I was districted for, but the friends I had was much greater than if I would have to attend school with my grade, and then have to do homework. So the argument that homeschoolers don’t have a social life, big bad myth. I did work crew training, but I never did a summer work crew assignment, I just liked doing the weekend work crew 😊 Again, a homebody. Through work crew training this group broadened even more throughout our county.
- My parents, three friends and I survived an arson hotel fire my sophomore year of high school. This triggered many things inside me, that would take years to understand everything that it triggered, but depression hit hard. Anxiety started creeping in to places I never felt it before. But when it came to Young Life club or Camp, it was time I could be silly, myself, and hear real stories about how Jesus had met my leaders right where they were.
- Before I was even in high school, my brother is five years older than me and was involved in Young Life, and my parents were on committee. We had leaders in our home, we took them out to eat, we had club in our barn, leaders would come do laundry at our house, you name it- they would come. I absolutely loved this! And I still keep in touch, thanks to social media, with some of these leaders- even some that were my brother’s leaders! To watch these leaders get married, have kids, adopt, parent, advocate, grow, it is a true blessing!
Now to watch my niece and nephew enjoy some of the same things is pure joy! Of course, it is different for each person. I was an avid attender to weekly club and eventually helped with campaigners. I went to one week camp- not really my thing- and not ashamed to say I called my parents two days in and asked if they would come stay in adult guest lodge. And they did 😊 And they loved every minute of watching camp happen! My dad even had to carry me part of the way up the hike. That’s a good dad! My leader did too! It was either asthmas attack or carry me or not make it up the mountain top. I am very thankful we made it to the top!
Do you have a place that a picture or just the name can take you back in an instance? A overwhelming peace floods your soul. It doesn’t have to be a perfect place with perfect experiences. Young Life is not perfect, no ministry is. That’s why I love Windy Gap. They have done some renovations, especially because of Helene, but it is still good ‘ole Windy Gap. A little rough around the edges, but beautiful all the more.
I have a special something to share with you today. Maggie Greenway is an artist from Chapel Hill, NC who has been painting Young Life inspired prints. The profits from her sales will pay for the camp transportation cost, which lower the cost of camp for families. You can find her at : Instagram @maggiegreenwayart
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MaggieGreenwayArt?ref=shop_sugg_market Wonderful Prints and Stickers! LOVE the shoes print!!!!
She is also launching a monthly print club today! If you love Young Life, you will not be disappointed! https://www.posthou.se/takemeback
Life Book of the Week: The Blue Book, by Jim Branch
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-blue-book-jim-branch/1126453963
