More Than A Camp

For many boys, Falling Creek begins as a place to spend the summer. Over time, it becomes something more.

Friendships deepen. Counselors become mentors. Traditions become part of who they are. Four weeks away from home slowly becomes a community boys can’t wait to return to.

It’s the kind of community described in Falling Creek’s guiding verse:

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity. — Psalm 133:1

Counselor Michael Mullen is spending his 12th summer at Falling Creek, first as a camper and now on staff. He’s watched that community grow year after year.

You can find these same kinds of activities in a lot of places, but you can’t find the same kind of people. The counselors and campers all buy in to The Code and like trying new things. I love coming back year after year to a place like this.

For Bo F. from Charlotte, North Carolina, coming back to camp starts with fly fishing.

I really like fly fishing and my counselors, like Zion,” he said. “There’s no fishing anywhere like they have it here at camp. It’s not normal! There are rainbow and brown trout. I love looking at their scales and seeing the fish swimming in the river. It’s so cool.

For Bo, fly fishing isn’t just about catching trout. It’s spending time in the river with counselors he knows by name and returning to a place that feels familiar every summer.

It’s a really good way to spend your summer,” he said. “It is so much fun.

Growing Up Together

For Brooks M. from Houston and Griffin K. from Palm Beach, Florida, camp has become much more than a place they visit each summer.

The two have been coming to Falling Creek for more than five years. They met here, became paddling partners while working through the canoe buoy course, and are now pursuing kayaking progressions together.

Having friends here is different than at home because you know you only have a month together,” Griffin said. “So you want to make the most of it.

Brooks agreed.

You really want to cherish it.

As they’ve returned summer after summer, their friendship has grown alongside their confidence.

I think camp has stayed the same since we first got here, but we’ve changed,” Griffin said. “We’ve become more adventurous and our friendship has gotten stronger, so we’re taking risks and doing things we wouldn’t have done on our own.

This summer, their goal is to earn a spot on one of the SKITA (Stylish Kayaking in the Appalachians) trips later this summer.

We push each other to work hard and have a commitment to each other,” Griffin said. “Even in the off-season, so when we come back we’re ready to get in the water.

Growing Up at Camp

Berkley W. is spending his eighth summer at Falling Creek and is now in the STEEL program (Summer Training Encouraging Emerging Leaders). Over the years, his reasons for coming back have grown.

When I’m here, I have real, authentic bonds with friends. I have friends at home, but it’s different at camp.

He says camp isn’t just about the activities.

I can do all of these activities at home, but camp gives me the help, guidance, and time to become who I am.

As he’s grown up at Falling Creek, he’s found that The Code has become part of his everyday life.

Camp has taught me how to contribute through The Code. How I want to live my life through hard work, good friends, and who I want to have in my life. Every year that I come back, that gets stronger.

When asked why he keeps returning, Berkley smiled.

Why wouldn’t I come back? I love the outdoors, community, and trying new things. I get to do that every summer. I’m always coming back.

Quote of the Day

Having friends here is different than at home because you know you only have a month together. So you want to make the most of it.

— Griffin K., Palm Beach, Florida

Around Camp

• Homesick letters–If you receive a letter around this time that sounds homesick, please know that’s completely normal — especially this first week when camp is still new to them.

These feelings are common for all campers at some point throughout the session, and we are prepared to work with each boy, as no situation is the same. Please be assured that if your son shows any continuing signs of homesickness, we will be in touch with you. A good rule of thumb typically is that no news from us is good news, and the homesickness usually passes quickly.

The boys are learning to be independent and resilient, and you are giving them a great opportunity to do that by allowing them to be at camp.