Who done it?

It’s Halloween and no campers are around, so what does Prescott Pines Camp do with a day like today? Well, we work a little and then we prepare for a party of course!  Our very own Paul Clark wrote his own Murder Mystery Dinner Party script inspired by the movie Murder by Death.  Last year, we also held such an event in Groom Creek Lodge- and true to camp form- every staff member was quite into their character.  The baker ended up being the murderer. (Please don’t let that deter you from tasting our delightful desserts when you visit though!) We can’t wait to share this year’s pictures with you but here are few from the last party.  You may also wonder what the town of Prescott does on such a holiday.  The road up to camp, Mount Vernon, is closed off by the city and big portable lights are rolled onto the street. Thousands of people – young and old alike- walk the highly decorated row of historical houses.  With the coming of fall, the trees drip with golden yellow and orange and the children run with delight in their colorful costumes as they collect their candy.  Check out our facebook page for more pictures of our Murder Mystery Night. Any suspicions of who the murderer may be?  

  

Soap, Shoes and a Dialysis Machine

Frontier Village Campers 2011

It’s a common question. What should I pack for camp? Just this morning, a man from the men’s retreat found himself in such a packing quandary. He came to the office looking for the laundry facility since his wife only put one pair of jeans in his bag (though my husband wonders why that is a problem). So clothes, yes, you pack clothes, shoes -suitable for the woods, toothbrush, soap, etc… But what about a nurse? A doctor? A dialysis machine?  Last week we hosted Phoenix Children’s Hospital where all of the children who came to camp have kidneys that are no longer doing an effective job. Periodically, they receive dialysis treatment so packing for them required more, much more.  The Phoenix Children’s Hospital bought many staff and volunteers as well as a U-Haul full of equipment and medicine. For many of these children, this was the first time they were away from home and family. And because of that, they were able to be – in a sense- away from the limitations of their illness.  Here at camp they could be children! They could explore the woods. They could go on the zip line. They could play on the low ropes. They could dance the night away in the MAC. They could be campers. 

A teacher from one of our participating Outdoor Education schools wrote the following in an email to us:

“I personally believe that camp changes lives. Really. Whether it is a church camp or a school camp, this might be the first time for some of them to shine outside of the classroom or athletic field. What if you aren’t the brightest or the fastest? Maybe you can build a mean shelter, or get us out of a dangerous situation with your compass skills…I am tearing up as I write this because we need so much compassion this year. After the 8^th grade suicide on our campus this year we are more aware than ever of the need for acceptance and guidance. I want everyone who touches their lives to believe in kids and want to be with them…”

And Prescott Pines does believe in kids and we believe in camp! No matter where you come from or who you are, here at camp you can soar across valleys, face your challenges, and –quite literally-climb over walls- all with a big smile on your face.  When it is time to go, you leave with so much more than you came with, a moment in life packed full of lasting memories.   

Sobriety Coins and Branches

A single mother of two spoke of the recent transition in her life- her first born was leaving for college.  A twenty-two year old full time nursing student shared her thoughts about her relationship – they had been together since they were sixteen, have they changed too much to be right for each other now?  A retired school district employee wonders if her social security check will be enough.  No matter what stage of life we are in or what we are in the midst of - be it joy or pain- we were made to share. The women’s retreats were full of such moments. What a month September was!  As we entered into October this past weekend, we hosted a different kind of women’s retreat. Members of Alcoholics Anonymous came to gather around one another in celebration and support, new participants discovered that they were not alone and sponsors passed on encouragement and wisdom.  In the MAC, they journeyed through the Angel Walk where the blind-folded woman would be guided through obstacles advised and supported by mentors on the outside. At the end of the crossing, they received their sobriety coin. It was an emotional time.  We are glad that Prescott Pines Camp is a place of gathering, sharing, and realization that we are not meant to go at this life alone.  He is the vine and we are the branches and those branches work together to support one another.  May you see such branches in your life and may you be such to others!  Who is someone in your life that you share with like this? Thank them today by leaving a comment below.