Behold
Behold.
If you could narrow camp down to a single word, it could arguably be summed up by these six letters. “Behold” is the word that begins every Campfire, the cheer we yell at the end of group huddles, the word you whisper to yourself when you stand in awe at the Overlook, and the way that Psalm 133:1 starts out: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity.” The word evokes memories of campfires, brotherhood, and community, all things central to the Falling Creek experience, and all things that we get to enjoy on Sundays at camp.
Reading along during Church
On Sundays, everyone is back from trips, and we become one big community once more. We’re able to slow down the pace a bit and savor this brotherhood that has been created at camp, catching up with friends about all the trips, progressions, and fun that has happened throughout the week. Sundays offer more thoughtful moments, shared together during Church and Campfire, as well as exciting moments during afternoon special sign-ups and Cookout Supper. Plus, any day that begins with a late breakfast of Krispy Kreme doughnuts is destined to be a good day.
Kyle leading the discussion on anger at church
During Church, we gathered in the Campfire area by the lower lake, enjoying the sunshine and peacefulness. The program of today’s Church continued the week’s theme: anger. For the skit, Lochlan M. performed a solo monologue, in which he pretended to be two different people discussing how to deal with anger. Kyle spoke about our relationship with anger, and it was fitting that we followed his talk with the song “Peace Like A River.”
Our camp band leading the songs during Church
Lunch was our classic fried chicken meal, followed by Sunday Sundaes outside. The fresh strawberries on the salad bar were at peak flavor too, which was my personal highlight of the meal. Nothing beats a buffet line of ice cream on a hot summer day, and ice cream sundaes are eagerly anticipated all week! The top cleanest cabins from Sunday Inspection were the ones who got to get their ice cream first. In Cherokee, it was Cabin 8, In Catawba, it was Ishi, in Tuscarora, it was Little Raven, in Iroquois, it was Tecumseh, and in the Creek non-cabin counselor tribe, it was Ocoee. We also celebrated two birthdays at lunch, Coley H. and Charlie Pike!
After rest hour, the afternoon is full of exciting special signups, where the boys are able to choose activities that aren’t always offered during regular camp days. During the first half of the afternoon, the horseback riders were going to ride the horses back up to the barn from Fisher’s Field. Andy Killebrew was leading a casual hike on property, and Gabe was going to be at the riflery hut teaching how to sight a rifle. Boys could learn how to play basic poker, or trade Magic cards with Danny. Nic was hosting a “brisk walk” to Smith Pond, and everyone who joined would have to bring a water bottle and “the biggest hat they owned.” The docks were open if any boys wanted to cool off in the lake, or they could play flag football with Tre on the turf field. For anyone focused on progressions, the FARM and the climbing wall were both open. Pickleball games were happening on the courts, and Ian was leading a meditation session at the Overlook. Finally, if any counselors and campers were still competing in the Camper/Counselor Tennis Tournament bracket, the courts would be open for them to finish their matches.
During the second half of the afternoon, the fun continued with a host of different activities. Sam Limby was leading chess games and Yox was deck building with Magic cards at the old library. The finals of the basketball tournament were going to be played in the gym, and boys could learn how to make different paper airplanes and fly them off of the front porch. Alex was teaching boys how to make natural cordage from grass, and Parker Moon was leading a workout session in the Lodge (AKA, Frank’s Body Shop). CJ was leading a game of Manhunt, and Carson was taking boys creek-stomping to look for salamanders and other water critters. The climbing wall was open, as was blacksmithing, and boys could also choose to play Steal the Bacon on the landsports field. There was a plethora of options to choose from!
Pumping up his bike tire after practicing changing it during free-time!
Erskine beating everyone in “Knock Out” at the gym!
For dinner we enjoyed gathering on the field for Cookout Supper, and had char grilled hamburgers and hotdogs with cole slaw, baked beans, and the famous chocolate brownies for dessert. Our incredible kitchen crew even grilled corn on the cob, and boys could peel the corn husks back to dip the corn cobs in butter before eating them! Cheerwine is always a favorite during Cookout as well, and it’s fun to eat outside with friends on a nice evening.
To finish the day, we made our way to Campfire by cabin, quietly crossing Bain Bridge and taking a seat along the benches. Yates lit the fire from a single candle after everyone was settled. Tonight, Josh Cooey opened Campfire with that beloved “Behold,” welcoming us with Psalm 133:1. Beau read about “service”, introducing the final theme of the week for this session. He explained how service is only valuable “when rendered in the spirit of joy.” Kyle elaborated on this message when he spoke, sharing that “the spirit of Falling Creek is founded in the idea of service and unselfishness.” He told everyone that this week we would be talking about how to better serve each other, our responsibility to serve our community, and how to best serve mankind as a whole.
Lighting our candles to close out Campfire
The verse that Kyle chose to share during Campfire related to this idea of service in abundance. Luke 6:38 says, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” This week our Evening Embers and cabin discussions will be centered around the idea of giving service with joy, and giving it in great measure.
Before we closed campfire, several boys led their own skit about our emotions. Lachlan narrated, while three boys acted as the emotions. Jake H. was as the character, “joy,” along with Beckett as “sadness,” and Rusty as “anger.” The skit was funny and entertaining, but after it ended, Rusty and Jake shared the moral of the story. “Anger always starts the fights,” they explained, “but you don’t have to let it win against joy.” After the final song, “Carolina Calling,” the tribal leaders and directors went down to the fire to light their candles. From there, they spread the light to the counselors around them, letting the light spread throughout the whole camp. These boys have certainly let their light shine these past two weeks, and we are lucky to have them in the Falling Creek community. We’re looking forward to activities and trips starting back up tomorrow morning. Behold!
-Annie Pharr