Meandering Moose

Divine Coincidence; a Godwink

Those moments when things just seem to happen in the right way while we know that God is orchestrating the details. The Cambridge Dictionary defines coincidence as: an occasion when two or more similar things happen at the same time, especially in a way that is unlikely and surprising.

I have also heard it called a Godwink:

An event or personal experience, often identified as coincidence, so astonishing that it is seen as a sign of divine intervention, especially when perceived as the answer to a prayer. A sign of hope.
God wink n. something taken as evidence that a higher power is at work; a coincidence.
An occurrence so odd and out of the ordinary, it had to be put in place by God. A wink from God letting you know you’re in the right direction.
A coincidence that isn’t coincidence, but is thought to be of divine origin,” readers led [Squire Rushnell] to a second meaning for Godwink. It had never dawned on [him] that there was no word in the English language for “answered prayer”.
God winks are little things that seem to happen randomly, but some believers feel they are signals or winks from God to give them direction or reassurance.

Some great examples are in the books of Esther and Ruth.

In Esther we read in Esther 4:13-14 Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

In the book of Ruth: We all love Ruth and Naomi and their dedication to one another in the Old Testament. After the death of both of their husbands they move back to their homeland and in order to provide food for the two of them, Ruth is out in the field gathering grain that is left over from the harvesters. “Then she left, and went and gleaned in the field after the reapers. And she happened to come to the part of the field belonging to Boaz, who was of the family of Elimelech.” Ruth 2:3. She just happened to come to the field that belonged to Boaz… a man of influence and wealth who would soon fall in love with her and take her for his wife. But it doesn’t end there. We find Boaz and Ruth listed in the New Testament in a pretty important place. “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham…Salmon begot Boaz by Rahab, Boaz begot Obed by Ruth, Obed begot Jesse, and Jesse begot David the king.” Matthew 1:1-5. Surely you can think of times in your life when circumstances have come together that you knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that it had to be God! Some would have called it coincidence but you knew better. God had His hand all over it!

“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way.” Psalm 37:23.

I was adopted as an infant and I have been searching for my biological family for a few years now. I have found my birth mom’s family and been warmly accepted. My birth father was not on my birth records. I have done my DNA on two sites. I recently connected with a 2nd cousin in British Columbia who has been helping me track down my birth father’s family. He recently sent info to a group of relatives in Scotland. Here’s the divine coincidence, the day he sent the emails, a Facebook group formed for descendants of our common ancestor.

Albert Einstein said, “coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous“.

In Acts 8:26-40, we read the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. God sends Philip south and he goes. Without asking why by the way. By coincidence he meets the Ethiopian eunuch. They were traveling from different places and by different methods, but just happened to meet. The eunuch just happens to be reading Isaiah 53:7 & 8, a passage about Jesus. Acts 8:35, “Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus”.

A biblical definition of coincidence is; “what occurs together by God’s providential arrangement of circumstances.”

Consider the chain of events that started with Edward Kimball to reach Billy Graham for Christ.

Proverbs 19:21 Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.

Joseph. He was sold by his brothers to merchants on their way to Egypt (Genesis 37:12-36). He had gone to take food to his brothers tending flocks at the same time these merchants were passed through and willing to buy him and sell him as a slave, in Egypt. Ultimately, he became second in command to the Pharaoh and saved his own people from starvation. This was predicted in the earlier part of Genesis 37:5-11 when Joseph had two dreams and shared them with his brothers and father. This was an unexpected “reuniting” between close family members.

Finding Isaac’s wife. In Genesis 24, we read about Abraham’s servant being sent to find a wife for Isaac, Abraham’s son. Abraham also predicted that this wife would come from among his own distant relatives. The servant prayed to God that the sign for knowing who that woman was to be would be that when she was asked for water by the servant, she would also offer to water his camels (and there were many of them since he had a party of his own people with him). While this may be expected of anyone as an act of kindness, we see coincidence in the fact that it was Rebekah who was the first to appear right after the servant had prayed and asked to be blessed in his mission; she was from Abraham’s distant relatives; and even though she had some nobility in her veins, she took the time and effort to lug water for all the camels.

Jesus Loved the 215

Every year for National Indigenous Peoples Day in Canada, I write a blog based on Widjiitiwin being an Ojibwe word meaning fellowship. There is such rich heritage in the teachings of our indigenous peoples. This year what stands out so clearly is the injustice of the discovery of 215 children buried in a mass grave at a residential school in Kamloops, British Columbia has come to a moment of reckoning. Now the number is almost 1300 and more yet to be found.

I have struggled to find the words, to understand, to know what to do. I don’t have any words to describe this crime. There aren’t any words that do justice to this situation. To say every child matters is too simple without the action to back it up. We can mourn for the children who did not receive the love, support and care they deserved when they were taken from their families and communities and forced to attend residential schools. The terrible actions of the church did not reflect the true teachings of Christ as presented in the Bible and we are sorry that was done in the name of Christ hurt so many people. The church needs to do better.

There needs to be an accounting held for the wrongs done to countless families. I believe ground penetrating radar needs to be used at every residential school and find all the missing murdered children.

I also believe that if the children had been taught the real love of Jesus they would have been better off. Did you know that Jesus paid attention to children? This was uncommon in the culture of the day and much of time before and after. Children are loved by God, accepted by Jesus, have guardian angels, are a gift from God and are precious in His sight. Check out what the Bible has to say about children.

Matthew 19:13-15 – Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these. (see also: Mark 10:13-16 & Luke 18:15-17)
Isaiah 7:14; 9:6 & Matthew 1:23 – The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means God with us.
Matthew 18:1-6 – At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: “I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoever welcomes a little child like this in my name welcomes me. But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. (see also: Mark 9:33-37 & Luke 9:46-48)
Matthew 18:10 – See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.
Genesis 1:26, 27; 9:6 – kids are made in God’s image, Jesus came as an infant
Luke 2:52 – and Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and in favour with God and man. This is a wholistic view of growth – mind, physical, spiritual and social
Psalm 8:2 From the lips of children and infants, you have ordained praise, because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.
Psalm 127:3 – children are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.

Read what www.facebook.com/Trish.Nolie posted on May 30, 2021 written to help us non Indigenous people understand the issues.

To all my non-native family and relatives far and near. I love you and know I need you you right now. I need you to understand and listen to us more now then ever. 215 children as young as 3 years old were found in a mass grave in Kamloops B.C on Thursday. Imagine that. Please imagine what you would feel like if your children were literally ripped from your arms and forced into a school and experienced every type of abuse. I mean every type of abuse. Sexual, physical, mental, emotional and told you are stupid because you couldn’t speak their language (English), dirty because your skin was brown.

I will share my grandfathers story. He was my hero, my man, the one who guided me. He is gone now and resting, but he lives through all of his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He gave me permission to share his story before he passed. When the settlements were coming for the survivors of Indian residential schools I had to sit with my grandpa through that process to help him understand what the government was offering. After I heard his story I applied for trauma counselling, because it was so heavy. It was to heavy for me to carry, I started drinking more and even attempted suicide after hearing his story. It effected my mom, my sisters and myself greatly. But now know it was not my grandpa’s or my granny’s fault. As she went to that school too.

He was 4 when he was first brought to St. Michael’s Residential School in Alert Bay. When he was 10 or 11 he said he was so hungry and starving. So he went to the garden in the back of the school and stole a turnip. He got caught and they dragged him to the chicken coop and tied him up. So flash ahead to when he was in his 40’s. He went to see a back surgeon to assess his back and prepare for surgery. When the Dr scanned his back and went back to see grandpa. He asked him, Mr. Nolie how old were you when you broke your back. He responded that he didn’t think he did. Well the Dr said “you have a big scar on your back bone that indicates that you have. Is there a time when you couldn’t walk in your life. That’s when he remembered. When he was tied to the chicken coop for stealing a turnip, they beat him with a 2×4. He was in the infirmary for around 6 months and couldn’t walk. So my grandpa didn’t even know his back was broken, all because he was starving. This is only one account of his time in that school. He also told me that lots of kids did go missing when he was in there. He often would pray for them that they made it home to where they were from.

Since the news I haven’t been ok. This isn’t ok. 215 kids and that’s just one school. There were 139 Indian Residential Schools across this country, the last one closing down in 1996. So this isn’t even that long ago. Imagine… please try. We are tired, we are strong but we are tired of fighting a system that was built to break us. I have cried so many times in the last few days thinking of those children, and how scared they were in those last moments of their lives. How far from their families and home they were. Please light a candle for them and their families. Please listen to our stories, cause it’s real. And we are still living it. I love you Grandpa and thank you for being so strong and resilient.

Father’s Day – Sunday, June 20

I’m quite certain that I didn’t I fully understood my Dad until our first child was born… but in that moment, I realized my Dad had spent my entire life protecting me, providing for me, teaching me, guiding me, exposing me to different experiences, people, places and the world. We did things together, made things, went places (trips and camping).

He taught me that hard work, honesty and integrity pays off. He shaped me into the man I am today. He loved me unconditionally, no matter what antics (and there were antics) he had to put up with. There was this one time with the snowmobile…

He supported me, and prepared me to go out into the world with confidence, while knowing someone would always have my back no matter what – and he still does. He taught me how to use the BBQ (charcoal by the way) and then never did the grilling again. He taught me how to change the implements on the garden tractor and then pretty much let me keep going.

He taught me to be kind and fair to people, no matter where they come from, what language they speak, what they look like, who they love, or what they believe.

My Dad is my voice of reason. My Dad is my hero… It’s an amazing thing to be a Father, and a huge responsibility not to be taken lightly. Our kids study and absorb our every move, and hang off every word – even when we don’t think they’re listening. And then repeat them out loud at the most inopportune moment.

As we approach Father’s Day, maybe we can all learn a few parenting lessons from the only perfect Father. Matthew records the astonishing moment when God the Father showed up at his Son’s baptism. “A voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.’” (Matthew 3:17)

The Father’s example provides four powerful lessons.

Identity – This is my Son. I can see the Father smiling and announcing, That’s my boy! Proudly affirm your family bonds.

Love – Whom I love. Expressions of love, especially publicly, cement the relationship. Tell them often, I love you!

Approval – With him I am well pleased. Affirmation goes beyond our shared genetic bonding. Approving of choices, character development, and performance encourages more of the same. When deserved, lavish approval.

Attendance – The Father made sure He attended His Son’s baptism. Showing up for our children’s big moments are powerful expressions of identity, love, and approval.

This Father’s Day, take a page from God the Father’s playbook. Affirm your children’s identity, tell them you love them, express your approval for the good things in their lives, and spend time with them, especially during the significant moments of their lives.

Thank you Dad, for everything.

Happy Father’s Day!!

**Some content borrowed from Dan Bolin, President, Refueling in Flight Ministries

Edward Kimball Who?

Once of my favourite quotes has always been, “you can count the number of seeds in an apple, but you cannot count the number of apples in a seed” or trees for that matter.

I have often used this quote to talk about the potential of our camp ministry to campers and staff alike. We never know who will be listening and who they will affect in ministry later on. Every once in a while you get to see the results of the ministry we do. I call it getting to peek behind the curtain (like in the Wizard of Oz).

Consider the story of Edward Kimball…

It was the year 1858 in the city of Boston. Edward Kimball was a young Sunday School teacher who made it a habit to personally give each student in his class an opportunity to accept Christ as their Savior. He was concerned about one of his students who worked in a shoe store. One day, Kimball visited the young man at the store where he found him in the back stocking shelves, and led him to Christ. That student was Dwight L. Moody who eventually left the shoe business to become one of the greatest evangelists of all time. As well as founding Moody Bible Institute and The Moody Church in Chicago.

Moody became an international speaker and toured the British Isles. He preached in a little chapel pastored by a young man named Frederic Meyer. In his sermon, he told the story of his Sunday School teacher. That message changed Pastor Meyer’s ministry, inspiring him to become an evangelist like Moody. Meyer eventually preached in America, in Northfield, MA where a young preacher heard him say, “If you are not willing to give up everything for Christ, are you willing to be made willing?” That remark led J. Wilbur Chapman to respond to God’s call on his life.

Wilbur Chapman went on to become an effective evangelist. He enlisted the help of a volunteer named Billy Sunday, a former professional baseball player, who helped him set up for his crusades. Billy Sunday learned how to preach by watching Chapman and eventually took over Chapman’s ministry, becoming a dynamic evangelist. Billy Sunday’s preaching brought thousands to Christ.

Inspired by a Billy Sunday Crusade in Charlotte, NC, a group of Christian men dedicated themselves to reaching their city for Christ. They invited an evangelist Mordecai Ham to come and hold a series of evangelistic meetings. The year was 1932. A local farmer loaded his pick-up truck with neighbors and brought them to the meetings. One was a 16-year-old boy who sat in the crowd each night spellbound by the message. Each evening the preacher seemed to be shouting and waving his finger at the young man. Night after night, the teenager came and finally on the last night, he went forward and gave his life to Christ. That teenager was Billy Graham.

Billy Graham has communicated the gospel to more people than any other person in history. And it all started with a Sunday School teacher named Edward Kimball who cared for the souls of his students to personally make sure they knew and understood the gospel of Jesus Christ. Only eternity will reveal the impact of that one teacher who invested his life in the lives of his students.

This fascinating chain of events was triggered by a Sunday school teacher’s concern for his boys.

Don’t. Give. Up!

Psalm 23 Explained

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

The Lord is my Shepherd (that’s relationship)

I shall not want (that’s supply)

He makes me to lie down in green pastures (that’s rest)

He leads me beside the still waters (that’s refreshment)

He restores my soul (that’s healing)

He leads me in the paths of righteousness (that’s guidance)

For His name sake (that’s purpose)

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death (that’s testing)

I will fear no evil (that’s protection)

For You are with me (that’s faithfulness)

Your rod and Your staff they comfort me (that’s discipline)

You prepares a table before me in the presence of mine enemies (that’s hope)

You anoints my head with oil (that’s consecration)

My cup runs over (that’s abundance)

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life (that’s blessing)

And I will dwell in the house of the Lord (that’s security)

Forever (that’s eternity)

Amen

What Would First Century Christians Say About the Church Today?

After the stoning of Stephen (the first Christian martyr), Acts 8:1 goes on to explain that “On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria”. When persecution (v.4) broke out, “Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went“. It seems like the first century Christians talked about Jesus and the Gospel like some people talk about the weather today. Talking about Jesus naturally exuded from them.

“Preached” here does not mean a Sunday morning pastoral sermon, but the telling and retelling of the Good News of Jesus Christ. The mystery of the Gospel that God loved us so much that he sent His only Son to earth to be sacrificed for our sin to bring us salvation from our sin (John 3:16). This is evangelism. It’s about YOU and ME talking with others about our faith. The impact of our salvation on our lives. How it has changed us. We naturally talk about what excites us. Why do we get so afraid of talking about Jesus to others?

The first-century Christians had a very different kind of foundation for their faith than many of us have. What they based their faith on was an event; specifically the resurrection of Jesus (which many of them witnessed personally), and this should be the reason we choose to follow as well. It is said that once upon a time, members of a Jewish cult called The Way, against all odds, captured the attention and, ultimately, the dedication of the pagan world, both inside and outside the Roman Empire.

The first century church was a communal oriented community that was very dedicated to the teaching of the word, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer. It was this norm that kept the church strong spiritually, socially and economically throughout its formation.

The testimonies of Peter, Luke, James, Paul, and others provide ample explanation for why the Jesus movement not only survived the first century, but eventually overcame the very political and religious machines intent on destroying it. The apostles all died for their faith, some of them very violently (see below).

Peter and Paul were both martyred in Rome about 66 AD, during the persecution under Emperor Nero. Paul was beheaded. Peter was crucified, upside down at his request, since he did not feel he was worthy to die in the same manner as his Lord.
Andrew went to the “land of the man-eaters,” in what is now the Soviet Union. Christians there claim him as the first to bring the gospel to their land. He is said to have been crucified.
Thomas was probably most active in the area east of Syria. He died there when pierced through with the spears of four soldiers.
Philip possibly had a powerful ministry in Carthage in North Africa and then in Asia Minor, where he converted the wife of a Roman proconsul. In retaliation the proconsul had Philip arrested and cruelly put to death.
Matthew the writer of a Gospel ministered in Persia and Ethiopia. Reports say he was stabbed to death in Ethiopia.
Bartholomew had widespread missionary travels to India with Thomas, back to Armenia, Ethiopia and Southern Arabia. There are various accounts of how he met his death as a martyr for the gospel.
James the son of Alpheus is believed to have ministered in Syria. The Jewish historian Josephus reported that he was stoned and then clubbed to death.
Simon the Zealot so the story goes, ministered in Persia and was killed after refusing to sacrifice to the sun god.
Matthias, the apostle chosen to replace Judas. Tradition sends him to Syria with Andrew and to death by burning.
John, the only one of the apostles generally thought to have died a natural death from old age. During Domitian’s persecution in the middle ’90s, he was exiled to the island of Patmos.

No one is willing to die for a lie. The early Christians in Rome did not have it easy. They were persecuted, blamed for crimes they didn’t commit and even fed to lions.

Is our version of Christianity worth that?
Is our version of Christianity worth dying for?
Is the way we live worth the price they paid?
Have we watered the cross down to jewelry?
Will our version of church/Christianity today carry Christianity forward 2000 years from now?

Enamoured by Current Culture?

Don’t be enamoured by the current culture. This feels a lot like the issues the church is facing today. We seem to want to be so close to what the world does without crossing whatever the line is at the time.

Have we forgotten what the standard is for the Christian life? I don’t mean the do and do not list of a couple generations ago. I mean the part where Jesus said LOVE one another. He meant that. The part about showing grace to our brothers and sisters in Christ. He meant that too. The parts about honour, live in harmony, stop judging, accept, love, forgive, do not deceive, serve, encourage, be kind, patient, be compassionate, gentle & humble, do not slander, show hospitality, submit, speak with psalms, be at peace, do not deprive, wait for, do not lie, build up, live in peace, don’t grumble against, pray for, confess to. God meant all these too! These are all verbs, actions to be taken!

This pandemic has SO divided many people in the church. It will ruin our witness if we don’t get our collective act together.

2 Timothy 4:1-5 – In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect

“Be not conformed to this world,” says Paul. What characterizes this world?

Pragmatism (Does it have utility? Does it make me money? If not, then I have no time for it).
Materialism (I need promotions to be the best and get the best. Multiple cars, nice home, etc.).
Naturalism (Every cause has an explanation in nature; nature has no purpose and neither do I).
Acceptance (I must accept and approve of everything that everyone does even if I don’t believe it is right. And if I don’t accept it ALL, then I am labeled a bigot or worse).
No absolute truth (you do you and I’ll do me even if they conflict. Even this statement is an example of absolute truth).
And much more…

We all live in this present age. We do not often, however, question the big picture values of our culture. The simple decision to choose a job for the sake of money instead of a job that pays less but perhaps provides non-material rewards (more time for leisure, family, ministry, purpose, etc.) participates within “this age.” It may be the right decision. But the decision is not neutral.

Don’t be enamoured by the current culture. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things Colossians 3:2. No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:24

Happy Mother’s Day!!

Moms are a very important person in our lives. Show your mom appreciation & honour this Mothers Day. Exodus 20:12 says, “Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”

Here are a few ways you can honour your mom this mother’s day.

First, remember to call her on the day, which for 2021 is Sunday, May 9th.
About a week before buy, write and send her a card in the mail. Yes, snail mail. She will love it. Home made cards are also a bonus.
Make her a special meal or take her out for dinner.
Be good and don’t bother her during the day.
Give a bouquet. Bringing a lush Mother’s Day bouquet beautifully arranged in a vase adds to the sweetness of the day.
Add to her garden. Give her a new flower, plant, or tree to add to her garden.
Create an herb garden.
Book her a spa day.
Design a photo collage.
Write a heartfelt thank you.
Time with family. This is a big one for my wife.
A Day Free Of Duty. Our wives and moms handle a million details every day.
To Be Pampered.
To Do Something New.
Acknowledgment of what she does for us every day.
Treat Mom to Breakfast in Bed. Get Mother’s Day started right with chocolate for breakfast.
Finish Her To-do List.
Recreate Her Favorite Meal.
Mother’s Day Dessert.
Help her relax with an At-Home Spa.
A gift from the Heart.

One note for Dads. If your kids are young, you will need to help them with these ideas for Mothers Day. Saying, “she’s not my mother” will only get you in trouble. Likely lots of trouble. Trust me on this one. I have had that experience.

What Is It About Bubbles?

bubbles glistening in a sunbeam Who doesn’t love bubbles? There is something inexplicably joy bringing in the act of blowing and popping bubbles. Whether big or small they always draw us in. There’s something about the iridescent colours as the lights shines on and through soap bubbles.

Usually it seems when there are bubbles around there are usually children (except for weddings). Personally, I love watching my grandson run around and around in wonder doing all those things. It’s also interesting at a wedding with bubbles to see the little kid come out in the adults.

Whether as a child, teen or adult, it brings a wonder-like joy and fills the heart with excitement. Some want to pop them. Some want to keep them up in the air. Some want to watch as the kids (and adults) run around and try catching them. Some prefer to chase them. Some want to catch them, even on your tongues. I have it on good authority from my grandson that they do NOT taste good.

Ever wondered about the science behind bubbles? The outside and inside surfaces of a bubble consist of soap molecules. A thin layer of water lies between the two layers of soap molecules, sort of like a water sandwich with soap molecules for bread all held together by surface tension. They work together to hold air inside. Whoosh it through the air so that the bubble follows and grows behind it. Try liquid dish soap for good results.

God is so incredible to build in us a simple but intricate curiosity to bring happiness to our daily lives through the smallest things, like bubbles. We serve a God of details.

And don’t even get me started on bubble wrap… that cracking sound is irresistible!

Anatomy of Our Summer Camp

Summer camp is often thought of as a whole, a single place where campers convene for several weeks each summer. Few think of summer camp in the context of its smaller parts. Yet, for campers, the special memories that make up “summer camp” in their minds are not merely the product of a whole, but a collection of memories related to its various parts. The overall experience of summer camp not only comprises a special place in the heart of campers, but the memories connected to favorite spots on campus. What are these parts, and why would do campers find them so dear? They’re places that, without, summer camp just wouldn’t be summer camp.

Cabins & Bunks: What they have in common is that they are private spaces that a handful of campers at each camp have in common. They live in their bunks, sleep in their bunks, and attend activities with their cabin mates. Every cabin has its own playlist, inside jokes, special nicknames for each other, and unique games that it enjoys. And campers leave their mark by signing their name for future campers and future generations of campers. We have had a mom show her daughter where she slept in the same cabin when she was a girl. A very cool memory at Widji!

Dining Hall: At home, the dining hall is just a place for campers to eat or maybe even a place where parents host special guests. But at camp, it’s such an important place that it’s spelled with capital letters. The camp dining hall is not only a place where the camp convenes for meals, but a place full of song and cheer and mail call and silly announcements.

The River: The river is the hub of our summer camp waterfront. It’s the place where campers go to swim, blob, fish, canoe, and socialize. It’s so special that, at most camps, every camper goes there at least once a day. Lots of friendships are formed and memories are made on the docks and sand of the camp waterfront.

Campfire: Every camp has a special place where the entire camp convenes in the morning and/or evening to officially kick off or end the day. This is where sports and competition wins are celebrated and special occasions are marked, and each camp does something just a little bit different to inflict personality into its assembly location to make it a memorable place for campers.

Longhouse: This is another building that goes by a different name from camp to camp, but is home to memories of camp shows, sing-alongs, all camp games, challenges, indoor campfires, evening activities, and just about a million other activities. For all intents and purposes, it’s camp’s all-purpose building, the place where the entire camp gathers to celebrate activities that are as indispensable to the camp experience as to the camp itself.

Activities: from the waterfront to high ropes to beach volleyball, the climbing wall, canoeing, archery and so MANY more, these are the places campers make memories and friendships, learn skills and life lessons like challenging yourself, pursuing getting better, leadership and being better.

Traditions: a camp is not just defined by the places around camp, but be the people and traditions that carry over for years. Check out these Widji blogs about our traditions & culture – blog 1, blog 2, blog 3 and blog 4.

Of course, as merely building and places, these locations make up just a fraction of summer camp. But they’re so full of literally decades of memories that the spirit of the camp emanates from them, and every camper has a nearly endless list of memories that involve them. Not just summer camp, but the anatomy of it is essential to the summer camp in the making of camp memories that last a lifetime.