Prior to saying yes to speak at the Ozark Conference Center, I knew next to nothing about Family Camp. I’d heard my friend Julie mention Family Camp, but figured it was just an outing her church did. Boy did I have a lot to learn!
Our friend John Thomas provided the perfect opportunity. He asked if we'd like to spend Labor Day in Solgohachia, Arkansas, talking to 20 families in the mornings, then spending the rest of the days doing Family Camp.
Not only is Family Camp bigger than one church and even one denomination, it's a fast growing, nation-wide phenomenon. (Ok, maybe not a phenomenon, but it is popular!)
Our induction to Family Camp was here, in Solgohachia, AR, at the Ozark Conference Center (OCC).
In it's early days, OCC's mission was to bring inspirational speakers such as J.I. Packer, Jerry Bridges, and Elisabeth Elliot to the spiritually hungry in Arkansas. We were humbled thinking about the speakers who had come before us, but we felt God's anointing in presenting the things He's been teaching us about fruitfulness, God-oriented parenting, and living intentionally.
It's not a ritzy getaway. (This tractor was our transportation. And that's John--Camp Director, pastor, and chief tractor driver.)
But that's the point. Instead, it was a long weekend of making new friends
alongside swimming,
games,
archery and turns on the zipline and scream swing,
meals in the mess hall,
morning devotions and worship, evening prayers under the stars, and more.
We played a Family Camp version of Survivor.
We painted our faces, gave ourselves a name (Rockin' Dynotastic Anacondas), and competed hard for the prizes. (Not sure what they were, but we had fun trying!)
Most importantly, we enjoyed it all together as a family.
We sure hope to do it all again next year...and maybe even meet some of our readers there.