M and I arrived at Lake Champion, a Young Life (YL) Camp (resort) located near the junction of PA, NJ, and NY near Port Jervis, NY, on August 6th after completing an 11-day anniversary trip to parts north (see previous blog). Click on the links for specific information published by these institutions. The camp offers a week-long camp experience for teenagers from all over the US and YL has a number of these camps in the US and abroad. In addition to a variety of fabulous camp activities and entertainments, the campers have the opportunity to hear about Christianity, in particular, the person of Jesus described in the Bible.
For this particular week, the campers consisted of teen moms (or expectant ones) and their children as part of YoungLives, a specific ministry under the YL umbrella. Our mission was to care for the children during the day and evening so the moms could be liberated to experience the camp program. During specified periods of the day, the nurseries would be open and moms could drop off their children. M's job was to take care of children in the 6 months old nursery along with some other women. My job was to be a "runner", someone available to go get the stuff the nurseries needed, like diapers, wipes, formula, snacks, and to deal with other stuff to support the care-givers. This often resulted in an ad hoc child-care assignment (we all were trained accordingly) when things got dicey (more unhappy babies than care-givers could handle at one time).
So for 6 days M spent a significant amount of time holding babies, and doing all the other things to keep them happy, which included a fair amount of pushing a perambulator. Most of these moms are from urban environments that differ drastically from the beauty and serenity of the camp, so this environment was also new to the tots as well. I spent 6 days hoofing it around camp making deliveries and just taking care of whatever business was pressing. My center of gravity was Ferndale where M and her group were stationed; this was her dorm space and mine as well (all the women stayed in several rooms and since there were so few guys we took up one room on the top floor of the same dorm). I spent literally hours pushing a stroller with a small one who was somehow placated by the motion and scenery, thank God!
All in all the experience was quite rewarding; we were not campers but workers so there was little time for us to enjoy the activities available at the camp, though I did have a spur-of-the-moment opportunity to take on the challenge of the ropes course since we were there child-minding and some participant slots were unfilled. As a runner, I did have the opportunity to take in the beauty of the out-of-doors more than the others and for that I am thankful, and I did walk my fool legs off as I criss-crossed the camp. Having a small backpack was convenient and M suggested I dig out my old Boy Scout canvas backpack from 45 years ago (that boy smells good!) and use it to hold the stuff I needed with me. We also had limited interaction with the girls since our job was to free them for activities, but we spent many hours with their children, getting to know them quite well. There were moments where we observed the girls, such as exiting the bus on arrival (a wide variety of expressions manifested themselves from fear to exuberance), delivering and picking-up babies, meal times, and free time when they had responsibility for their children. We often made ourselves available so they could, for example, go on the ropes course or zip line. Most rewarding was to see the effect of the camp on them: many hearts were softened toward God and a number of girls expressed a commitment to follow Jesus more closely in their lives.
Another thing that was amazing was to see the transformation of the camp from its conventional set-up (no small ones, just teenagers and staff) to a multi-nursery enterprise geared for child-care at its best and then back again. An army of high school and college staff descended on the nurseries and the stuff hauled in at the beginning of the week (an sea of strollers were positioned beside the cabins) and taken away on the last day to be stored for the next year. Young Life is an amazing group of people in amazing surroundings at camp and at home and God is using them in an amazing way to draw young (and old) folk into relationship with him. Pretty important stuff, in fact, I cannot think of anything more important: broken lives made whole for eternity.
M and I marked 40 years of marriage at the end of July with an anniversary trip. We decided earlier in the spring to be volunteer staff at a YL Camp in NY in August (next blog) which galvanized our summer plans. We then planned of a 11 day (7/27 to 8/6) adventure dans la voiture with our northernmost destination being Quebec City in the province of Quebec (which some say is in Canada and others say is a different country altogether; we'll see) to proceed our mission at camp.
Day 1 to 3: Left Richmond for Lancaster County, PA; we had always wanted to visit the Amish Country, so we spent two nights near Bird-in-Hand. We enjoyed most traveling in the countryside and were overwhelmed by the magnitude of the farming enterprise - a tribute to the work ethic of those buggy-driving clans. Highlights included a mega-meal at a traditional Amish smorgasbord, a farm produce auction that was not on the tourist map (100s of Amish and otherwise buyers and sellers showing how farm produce moves from here to there in a hurry, horse-drawn wagons amid produce trucks and literally tons of produce), the best ice cream we have ever consumed at the Lapp Family Farm, the purchase of a new belt at the Village Harness Shop and a trip up to Lititz. That harness shop posted a sign out front, No Tourists, but John our host said to go in as long as you bought something. Amish owned and operated for 90 years with a fabricating shop in the rear with a ceiling mounted drive shaft out of the Industrial Revolution that powered the individual work stations by pulley and belt drives. To the unfamiliar eye they had everything needed for a life that appreciated and utilized horses as they were intended; the smell of leather and hardware was mesmerizing. I bought a sturdy brown leather belt for an extremely reasonable price but it will take a bit of breaking in. Lititz was a quaint town, home of the Wilbur Chocolate Company (we got more than samples). It was a bit rainy so we walked about a little and took refreshment at a local Pub and Cafe. Next morning we were off to Pulaski, NY at the eastern end of Lake Ontario to moderate the long trip north on I-81.
Day 3 to 4: Arrived at Rainbow Shores Hotel in rain to an amazing camp-like atmosphere. After the rain moderated we enjoyed sitting by the lake shore (a bluff) waiting for dinner (a delicious seafood platter) and an amazing sunset. Up early to an exquisite breakfast; we left well-fortified for our trip into Alexandria Bay, NY. We took the Scenic Highway to get the feel of the country alongside the lake, such as the Tibbet's Lighthouse.
Day 4 to 6: Arrived at the Channelsyde Motel just east of Alexandria Bay on the main channel of the St. Lawrence River. After a short rest we headed into town and took the long river cruise of the 1000 Islands scattered throughout the headwaters of the St. Lawrence River, a light dinner and a visit to an island park. We thoroughly enjoyed learning about this part of the world unknown to us until now. Next morning (our anniversary) being Sunday we worshipped at the local Episcopal Church (amazing architechture and craftsmanship as well as a welcoming and genuine community of faith). Then a morning trip to the Bolt Castle and another walk-about. We had a special dinner up on the bluff overlooking Sunken Island Lighthouse and the Bolt Castle. Up early the next morning for the longer trip to Sainte-Anne-de-la-Perade, the Tommy Cod ice fishing capital of the world.
Day 6 to 10: We again took the Scenic Highway south of the river and crossed over into Ontario, Canada from Ogdensburg on the US side. We bypassed a congested Montreal on the north over a ferry then through Oka, known for its Trappist Monastery which produces fragrant though delicious cheese (we got more than a sample). Back on the main highway in Quebec and onto our B&B. We spent the next four days exploring Quebec by visiting Quebec City, Trois-Rivieres, and Montreal. We enjoyed the cities but we know we are not urban folk so the small villages and byways were enjoyable in and of themselves. Few native English-speakers but we were graciously received and when language was a barrier the natives did all they could to welcome and guide us, so to us we experienced a warm and inviting place. A former colleague of mine from my engineering days lives in Montreal and his wife's father owns and runs the B&B were we stayed along the Ste. Anne River where it flows into the St. Lawrence. We received royal treatment in quiet and beautiful surroundings. The river is life in this part of Quebec and all revolves around it to some extent. In winter between December 26th and February 14th when the Ste. Anne River is frozen, hundreds of little houses are formed into a small town on the ice with light poles driven into the ice and stores offering their wares to comfort the thousands of ice fisherman (and a few women) who brave the cold (though the shacks are heated) to catch some of the massive numbers of Tommy Cod that live in that particular part of the river at that time of year. Some say that there is more interest in camaraderie and good cheer than fishing.
We took the scenic route into Montreal and were rewarded with magnificent river views and indigenous countryside. Our last day was in Montreal with my colleague, his daughter and wife. We strolled around the riverfront, did a little shopping, and had dinner in a trendy part of town. In the morning we were off again headed for the good ole USA.
Day 10 to 11: We enjoyed a lovely drive south of Montreal, across the border and down through Adirondack Park (we need to come back here someday) to Albany, NY. This was our transition day to wash clothes and car, and to reset ourselves for the drive tomorrow into Lake Champion near Glen Spey, NY. We stayed in an Econolodge for not much money, but it was fine and everything we needed was within a short distance including an eatery with a not so fancy name or exterior but wonderful food for a reasonable price: the end of an anniversary trip with lots more memories than I could possibly write here. We had a good plan (reasonable driving distances and expectations for how much we could experience in the time allotted) and we executed well, thanks as much to that fine driving machine of M's as anything else. We picnic well so lunch was usually anywhere that seemed pleasant and convenient. We met many delightful folk and experienced cultures and climes new to us while enjoying just being together. Life is good; living is better, especially when you have someone to share it with.
M and I arrived at Lake Champion, a Young Life (YL) Camp (resort) located near the junction of PA, NJ, and NY near Port Jervis, NY, on August 6th after completing an 11-day anniversary trip to parts north (see previous blog). Click on the links for specific information published by these institutions. The camp offers a week-long camp experience for teenagers from all over the US and YL has a number of these camps in the US and abroad. In addition to a variety of fabulous camp activities and entertainments, the campers have the opportunity to hear about Christianity, in particular, the person of Jesus described in the Bible. 
So for 6 days M spent a significant amount of time holding babies, and doing all the other things to keep them happy, which included a fair amount of pushing a perambulator. Most of these moms are from urban environments that differ drastically from the beauty and serenity of the camp, so this environment was also new to the tots as well. I spent 6 days hoofing it around camp making deliveries and just taking care of whatever business was pressing. My center of gravity was Ferndale where M and her group were stationed; this was her dorm space and mine as well (all the women stayed in several rooms and since there were so few guys we took up one room on the top floor of the same dorm). I spent literally hours pushing a stroller with a small one who was somehow placated by the motion and scenery, thank God!
All in all the experience was quite rewarding; we were not campers but workers so there was little time for us to enjoy the activities available at the camp, though I did have a spur-of-the-moment opportunity to take on the challenge of the ropes course since we were there child-minding and some participant slots were unfilled. As a runner, I did have the opportunity to take in the beauty of the out-of-doors more than the others and for that I am thankful, and I did walk my fool legs off as I criss-crossed the camp. Having a small backpack was convenient and M suggested I dig out my old Boy Scout canvas backpack from 45 years ago (that boy smells good!) and use it to hold the stuff I needed with me. We also had limited interaction with the girls since our job was to free them for activities, but we spent many hours with their children, getting to know them quite well. There were moments where we observed the girls, such as exiting the bus on arrival (a wide variety of expressions manifested themselves from fear to exuberance), delivering and picking-up babies, meal times, and free time when they had responsibility for their children. We often made ourselves available so they could, for example, go on the ropes course or zip line. Most rewarding was to see the effect of the camp on them: many hearts were softened toward God and a number of girls expressed a commitment to follow Jesus more closely in their lives.
