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Reflections on Connections 2006

By Trisha Elliott, Rideau Hill Camp, Ontario

Photo of Trisha Elliott and Mike Perrault

Trisha Elliot and Mike Perrault at Connections 2006

Laughing in the Presence of God

A couple of months ago I was invited to Rideau Hill Camp's year-end banquet. Before the meal I was asked to say grace. I did so, politely. Apparently too politely, because after I was done one of the counsellors stood on her chair and yelled, "Ready now? 1, 2, 3," and what followed was the loudest ruckus of a grace I've ever witnessed. People praying, stomping and jumping, screaming thanksgiving to God at the top of their lungs. I stood in the fray, laughing. It's not often I laugh in the presence of God. It felt good.

Learning the Unexpected

The National Camping Conference "Connections 2006" felt that kind of good. I went to Camp Chief Hector to learn about United Church camping, specifically about board structures, legal issues, and relationships with presbyteries, and with wise help my questions were answered. But I learned other, less expected things too, like how to launch rockets and wade through mousetraps. I did things I've never done before: meditate in a teepee, stack cups, canoe on Lake Louise, and sing a quirky and original ode to bannock (Saskatchewan fried bread) at the Saturday evening Coffee House.

Workshops and Leadership

Throughout the Conference a wide variety of topics were addressed. During facilitated workshops, participants explored a myriad of issues: board roles and responsibilities, bullying, management, programming, music, staff training, team building, leadership development, and more.

Keynote speaker Dr. Jim Cain punctuated Connections with engaging learning and team-building events. During his "talks," Jim gently facilitated group activities, masterfully lacing them with meaning. Without saying much, Jim spoke volumes about community formation and team-building. His leadership gave way to many light bulb moments.

Similarly charismatic and enlightening, worship leader Chris Giffen and the rEvolve band blessed the event with engaging and dynamic spiritual and musical leadership. Chris's embodied scriptural reflections and rEvolve's original music were highlights of the event. In all, gracious hosts, a phenomenal facility, inspired leadership, deep discussion, and terrific administration made this an event one I was glad I didn't miss.

A Place for Everyone

What moved me most about the Conference, however, was how it seemed to organically draw Christians of all ages together. From babies to teens to middle-agers to grandparents, everyone not only had a place but also occupied the same place. Different age groups didn't scatter and do their own thing, returning to report what they had done. We were together, engaged in worship, work, and play.

Perhaps part of the ageless appeal of camp is that it harkens back to a simpler time when life depended more on relationships, on the aptly named title of the event, "Connections." Cell phones and video games are left behind, and people are drawn together into intentional communities marked by fun rituals and routines, and a deep sense of belonging. Campers connect with new and old friends, engage and play in nature and hear a word from God. It's no wonder that, as one person strongly stated, "Camp changes lives."

Throughout the Conference, stories of changed lives, of Good News, teemed: a young man with cerebral palsy who experienced belonging at camp, a counsellor on the brink of termination who turned herself around to become one of the strongest leaders, a child who came to camp a bully and returned home with a new sense of a gentler self, another who as a result of camp turned his back on gang life, a tough and hardened camper who stood up at vespers the final night spontaneously exclaiming, "No one has ever loved me the way that you have loved me this week."

In the Presence of the Spirit

Perhaps young and old resonate with camp because all of us need to set aside demands, to be in the presence of the Spirit in nature, and to feel a sense of connection and belonging. If our world continues to become more and more individualistic and technology (as wonderful as it can be) increasingly imposes demands, camping ministry will become even more vital, even more necessary.

It seems to me that even now all of us need a place where grace isn't something we have to politely mutter, but where we can delight with others who make it okay to shout our thanksgiving, jump up and down hysterically, bob our heads wildly, laugh whole heartedly, and make genuine connections.

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