Miles of Smiles

I love Christian Camping in the summer. For that matter I love it anytime. But what makes me enjoy it so much I believe is seeing the miles of smiles as the campers arrive. The campers are so excited to see one another and to see the returning staff. They are sometimes disappointed when past staff have failed to return, but for the most part the miles of smiles continue throughout the week.

I have seen this for over twenty-five years of camping. I have seen those smiles on women who are now married with children coming to camp. I have seen those smiles on men who were campers and now preachers and youth ministers. I have seen it on staff members who are now grandparents bringing their grandchildren to camp. It is a wonderful scene each and every year.

I am proud to be associated with Christian camping. It is one thing I believe all Christian young people should do each summer. I will pray that my grandchildren will be involved in Christian camping and their grandchildren as well. I am a firm believer in the spiritual strength that can be gained by being a part of Christian camping. I know it made a difference in my life in two ways.

First, in a spiritual way. I found that I could be a Christian around people I didn't know well. I did not have to fit the mold of the world. I could stand up and be counted for Jesus and know there were others who felt the same way I did. It is awesome.

Second, in a physical way Christian camping made a difference in my life. How, you might ask? I found my wife while Christian camping. I found the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I have thanked God over and over and over again for that little spot in East Texas called Camp Deer Run so many times that I believe He might know how I feel by now. Lisa has been a wonderful help when it comes to camp. She loves it almost as much as I do.

Now, I am the camp director of the Central Texas Christian Camp at Camp Hensel outside of Austin, TX. It is a beautiful place and parked right in the middle of the hill country of Texas. Every year on Father's Day I have the opportunity to see the miles of smiles line up and check into camp, and for the most part they wish me a "Happy Father's Day." They are all my children. I love them all and can not wait to see them each year.

However, at the end of the miles of smiles there comes a difficult time we usually don't like talking about. It is the River of Tears that flows as camp ends. No one wants to go home. Everyone wants to stay. That has been going on since before my camping days as well. The good thing is that the River of Tears always turns into a Mile of Smiles.

I'll see you later, maybe at camp!