"New Everyday!White water rafting is not something that I have ever done, but Thursday we, the mission campers, rafted on the Wind River below the Boysen Reservoir for several hours in the morning.The river, I was assured was not as deep, wild and wooly as two weeks before when several fell into the river because of the waves in the rapids, had it challenges for me.Being my first time, I was not so sure about getting wet or having to swim if we tipped over.Nice to get the ripe old age of 64 and have an uncomfortable experience.The kids really enjoyed it, and our guide Candace was a hoot.We ended by splashing the other rafts and, of course, some kids just had to fall in and swim.Great experience." (I believe Russ Murphy from Buffalo)
A visit to Sacajawea Grave site.
Making a labrynth at St. Andrews as a part of the Leadership and Mission Camp 2009
Rising in the rain we headed out after a substantial breakfast at St. David’s, Shoshone Mission, for work detail at St. Andrew’s in the mountains at Atlantic City forty miles away. We painted, we chinked, we scrubbed, we layed out a labyrinth and a stations of the cross and we built a railing for the back steps of the parish hall. We ate lunch and we were impressed with the condition of St. Andrew’s. We showered at the community center back on the Shoshone Reservation and ate delicious fry bread at St. David’s. After dinner we heard John Washakie speak on Shoshone history and Manfred Guina tell traditional stories. Audrey Ward taught us bead work and we watched a video on the Indian and government schools of the 19th Century under the Reverend John Roberts and others.
Cierra Johnson, age 12, from Dubois, “I like the program. It’s helping me learn more about God and meeting new people and new friends.”
Anna Hoffman, age 14, from Douglas, “I’m having fun. I like learning about different cultures and my heritage.” Shilo Barnes, age 14, from Douglas, “This is probably the best thing I’ve done this summer. I enjoyed learning about God, different cultures and working with people and meeting new friends”
Stephen Hansen, age 15, from Dubois, “HR Camp is probably one of the best ways I have sent a summer. The program varies from rock climbing to whitewater rafting. It is a chance to meet great people, and create awesome friendships.”
Katherine Finley, age 14, from Dubois, “I’m so happy I went to HR Camp. I have done things here I have never done before. It has been an exciting experience.”
Pat Walsh, Director Marissa Cheney, Counselor Bethany Boyd, Youth Mission Corps Sam Singleton, Counselor Marshall Kelly,Youth Mission Corps Alli Strube, Counselor Mike Galm, High Ropes Director Shelby Talley, Cook Patty Perez, Cook Kaycee Perez, Assistant Cook Tyne Jackson, Counselor Tracy Jackson, Youth Mission Pam Irving, Nurse Steve Irving, Stewardship Director Ed Gamber, Musician Jenifer Gamber, Spiritual Director
This is the last full day of Adventure camp. The last full day with new friends and old. The last day to get in all the wonderful activities. As we have every morning, we began by singing Psalm 121 “I lift my eyes up.” It’s a great way to begin and the campers say the song runs through their heads all day.
After tidying our cabins, filling the water coolers and cleaning up the bathrooms, the Phenomenal Firecrackers went rock climbing. Whoohoo! Nearly everyone climbed. It was challenge of strength and wits—strength of arms and legs and wits to find the tiny hold for our hands and feet. Kaylee didn’t think she’d climb, but once she saw how much fun it was she climbed to the top four times! It’s a lot easier when your friends are cheering you on.
In the afternoon Steve taught us about forest stewardship—about the pine beetles, forest fires and how to care for the forest. We’ve enjoyed HR camp all week and now its our turn to give back to keep HR camp going. Steve cut down three sapling pines, cut off the limbs and cut the trunk into firewood. We dragged the limbs to the slash pile and the firewood to the firewood pile.
The 2nd Street Angels spent the morning with Steve also learning about stewardship and hauling wood to the pile. It felt good to give back!
In the afternoon the 2nd Street Angels tackled two high-ropes courses- the Two Line Bridge and the Giant’s Ladder. The Two Line Bridge is a high wire 30 feet up in the air strung between two trees. The high-wire walker walks from one tree to the next with a rope to keep their balance. The Giant’s Ladder is a set of 5 steps—too high for one person to climb, but possible for two people if they work together. Three teams of two made it to the top!
After dinner, beach games and a game of Zoom we cooked smores at the fire pit, sang songs and ended with worship. During worship each day we have been growing our mustard seeds with encouragement and self care. On this last night we added leaves, nests and birds to the now very large tree. On the leaves, nests and birds we wrote what seeds we will bring home to plant.
Indeed our tiny mustard seeds have grown a giant bush of community. We are ready to go out into the world spreading seeds of our own, with God’s help. (Jenifer Gamber, Spiritual Director for Jr High Adventure Camp)
2nd Street Angels hiked in the morning to Pineapple Rocks. Along the way, Pam talked about the importance to a sustainable environment of leaving no trace behind. Along the way they noticed a rusted truck and a cement truck that was left after it had broken down. What will people say about us in 50 years? What trace will we have left. Along the way they ate wild raspberries and noticed the beautiful mountain flowers—the saego lily, harbell, flowering prickley pear cactus, Indian paintbrush and wild blueberries.
In the afternoon the 2nd Street Angels biked to Esterbrook church. It was a hot afternoon to be biking, but everyone had a great time (especially since they began their bike ride a the TOP of the hill).
The Phenomenal Firecrackers biked the HR Camp road and down around toward horshoe creek, along the ridge and back into camp, 10 miles in all and a lot of uphill. There was downhill too. No broken bones, but one biker biffed and skinned her knee and hand. In the meadow, some of the bikers rode through cow pies. It was hard to miss them!
After lunch everyone took a nice refreshing swim in the swimming hole. It’s been beautiful weather—in the 70s today. The swimming hole has a new bridge and floating deck.
In the afternoon, the Phenomenal Firecrackers took to the high ropes course, crossing a high wire on the Two Line Bridge from tree to tree 30 feet up in the air. Quinn took the additional challenge of climbing the rope up to the high wire. Way to go Quinn! Their second challenge was the High Multi-Vine where two people cross the high wire with the help of a few ropes hanging down along the way. Of course everyone remained safe in their harnesses and a belayer. Three teams of two successfully crossed the wire. Whoohooo!
After playing live clue and watching a live production of Punchinella, we walked to the outside chapel with a superb view of Laramie Peak for chapel. The Aspen girl’s cabin led worship—the prayers, songs and lesson. The lesson was their own retelling of the Parable of the Sower (see the story below). It begins with four seeds being sown at HR camp.
Another beautiful day in God’s kingdom. The community has really come together for learning, growing and challenges. The entire staff is really something! (Submitted by Jenifer Gamber, Spiritual Director for Jr High Adventure)
Narrator: One week a sower went out to sow. He sowed four seeds on the soil of HR camp. The first seed landed on the high ropes course. As she grew she began to lose her balance. The seeds around her weren’t very helpful. Narrator: She lost her balance and fell to the ground. The second seed fell on the seat of a bicycle. As she started to grow, her feet reached the pedals and she pedaled down the road. This was fun she thought. But when she got to the hill, the road became rocky and she began to be afraid. The seeds around her weren’t very helpful. Narrator: The seed became more and more unsteady and the bike flipped over. The seed fell to the ground and skinned her knee. The third seed landed on a horse and the horse began to gallop. This seed had never been on a horse before so didn’t know what to do. The seeds around her laughed. Narrator: And the horse bucked the seed off to the ground. The fourth seed fell at the bottom of the rock face. As she began to grow tall, she reached her hands to climb that rock. Climbing was hard. She began to lose her strength. The little seeds around her didn’t believe she could do it. And the little seed lost her grip and slid down the rock face back to the bottom. All four seeds failed. What do you think would help them succeed? Narrator: Let’s see what happens when you encourage and support the seeds.The first seed got back up on that high ropes course. Again, she began to lose her balance. Narrator: This time, she kept her balance and walked to the other side and down the tree back to the ground. The second seed thought, “I can do this” and got back on the bike. She still had the hill to go down but this time she has us to encourage her. Narrator: And she made it down the hill and back to the HR camp. After lying on the ground for awhile thinking about how much fun it was to ride a horse, the third seed got back on that horse. Again, she began to get afraid. Narrator: With new confidence she took hold of the reigns and the horse galloped back to camp. The fourth seed, after a little rest began to climb that rock again. Yes, it was hard work and sometimes her feet slipped. But with our encouragement she made it to the top and put out thumbs up for success, ready to belay back down to HR camp. All four seeds continued to grow at HR camp, returning to the ropes course, bikes, horses and rock climbing every day. And they grew strong.
Everyone woke up at 7 AM and at 7:45 Counselor Tyne read Psalm 121 and a reflection about the mountains and God. It was the beginning to another wonderful day.
The 2nd Street Angels took their turn with Carole and Ord to learn about caring for horses. The horses got another wash-down and brushing in the morning and riding in the afternoon and evening.
The Phenomenal Firecrackers hiked 4 miles-–up the northeast face of Rock Mountain and down into upper horseshoe creek. The scenery was beautiful at the top of Rock Mountain. The day was so clear we could see Nebraska. Down in the valley we crossed the creek in our bare-feet and then made our way around rattlesnake ridge and back into camp. On the way we found deer antlers—the tips had been eaten away by rodents who use antlers to sharpen their ever-growing upper and lower teeth and for the calcium.
In the afternoon the Phenomenal Firecrackers gathered at the low ropes course to test their team-building skills by crossing Esterbrook Island. After over an hour of trying over and over again and some tension within the group, the group pulled together figured out the problem wasn't necessarily logistical, but maintaining focus on the task and listening. In the end, everyone got over the islands. Bravo!
In the evening we played electric pig (aka electric chicken). It’s pretty difficult to explain, but lots of fun. The night ended with worship led by the Ponderosa girls’ cabin. They told the Parable of the Sower with great theatrical talent using bubbles for sowing seeds. Together we shared how we care for the soil of our hearts so that the seeds sown within might grow strong and yield much grain.
Before turning in and between showers campers played Frisbee. Another day and looking forward to a restful night…. (Submitted by Jenifer Gamber, Spiritual Director for Jr High Adventure)
We began the day singing psalm 121...."I lift my eyes up to the mountains, where does my help come from?" Everyone has such beautiful voices! By beginning the day singing we breathe in the fresh mountain air, welcoming it deep into every cell and breathe out praises to God.
The Phenomenal Firecrackers (Quinn, Abby, Joey, Natalie, Catherine, Kailee, Shelby, Ben, Bailey) worked with Ord and Carole Buckingham in the morning grooming the horses and getting to know their temperaments. Every creature has its own gifts to offer, and it takes time and care to get to know them. The same is true for us! Carole also taught us how care to care for the saddles and reigns. Caring for the horses and equipment is a way to give thanks to God. After grooming the horses, we were ready to ride! Here are pictures of Abbey and Ben cleaning the saddles and Carol and Ord.
Counselor Sam challenged the 2nd Street Angels (Lindsey, Ella, Liberty, Stephen, Sam, Chelsy, Shalee, Chandler, Grant, Ashlyn) to work together on the low ropes courses. Campers brainstormed how to solve the problem in a way that used everyone gifts and included everyone. In the afternoon they rock climbed--working as a team to belay and climb.
At evening worship, the boys’ cabin presented a modern telling of the parable of the mustard seed with a skit that explored something we wondered about the night before: what does the seed need to grow? The story is of four bean seeds. The first was watered. The second given sun, the third soil and the fourth all three—water, sun, soil. The first three grew a little and the fourth grew tall. Everyone offered what they need for the seed of faith to grow inside them. We need families, the Lord, friends and affirmation. The day before we wrote our names on the roots of a growing mustard seed bush drawn on large paper. Each day this shrub will grow. So today, we added a trunk and each of us wrote something that happened during the day that has helped our seeds of faith grow. (Submitted by Jenifer Gamber, Spiritual Director for Jr High Adventure)
Today 20 Jr High youth from Powell, Casper, Baggs, Douglas, Dubois, Basin, Laramie, and Glendo and staff gathered for the first day of camp. After a tour of the camp and getting settled, we played group games to get to know one another and divided up into two program groups--the Phenomenal Firecrackers and the 2nd Street Angels. We ended the evening with worship, which included a telling of the Parable of the Mustard Seed and wondering together about the kingdom of God together. We wondered, "where did the seed come from?" "who nurtured the seed?" "did the birds in the tree get along?" "why did the birds choose that tree to build their nests?" As we journey through the week we will wonder more about God's kingdom and what our contribution is to building that kingdom.
We sang a song based on the 121st Psalm (I lift my eyes up to the mountains, where does my help come from?). We will begin each morning with this song and a reading that challenges us to consider life in community.
Breathe deeply and take in all of God's wonders. HR camp is simply beautiful!
(Submitted by Jenifer Gamber, Spiritual Director for Jr High Adventure)
The Youth Mission Corps is a new program, at the Wyoming Wilderness Camp, created by Pat Walsh to connect the camp to the surrounding area.The YMC travels to surrounding communities building connections through community service projects.
This year they have devoted their time painting, raking, landscaping, indoor and outdoor housework, and volunteering at Laramie Peak Humane Society.The YMC group is eager to continue throughout the camp season, because of the great joy it brings, not only to them, but the people they assist.
“I am very appreciative of the YMC, of all the years she has needed help this seems one seemed to have worked the best.”Jeannie Sherman, Esterbrook resident.
“The YMC are very conscientious and hard working, I could not have completed this project without their help.”Martha Beardin, Esterbrook resident.
“They did a great job!”Director of LaramiePeak Humane Society
During camp season they devote two of their working days in Esterbrook, and one day in Douglas.The remainder of their work week is spent at the Wilderness Camp, helping to plant mustard seeds of faith.
Here is what they have to say about their experiences so far.
“The YMC is a new adventure everyday we go out, and every day I look forward to it.I enjoy helping others who need a helping hand.It is a great thing for a young person or older person to be a part of.”MarshallKellyPeruState College
“YMC is a complete blast.” Cody Floyd Wheatland High
“I enjoy working hard to help people out, its very fulfilling to see the joy it brings to those we have helped.”MarissaCheneyUniversity of Wyoming
“I love helping people and this is just amazing being able to keep it going at camp. I really feel that any act, no matter how small, matters.”Bethany Boyd of Wright High School
“ It may be hard work, but when we see the looks on the faces of those we help, it makes it all worth it.”AllisonStrubeUniversity of Wyoming.
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we reap a harvest if we do not give up” Galatians 6:9Tracy Jackson
oCamp is the most exciting thing we could do, there’s art, rock climbing, swimming, music and games. – Michaela
oI think it’s lots of fun for anyone who enjoys music and art. – Ryan
oThis camp is great because it helps you experience new stuff. – Kalie
oCamp is really fun! It lets you expand your horizons. – Gracie
oCampRocks! – Stephan
oI’m having so much fun playing music and learning lots of new things about art. – Clay
oWhat a great bunch of kids! It’s wonderful be around young minds that are open to learning and experiencing all aspects of art. – Channis Tagart – photo instructor
oWow, so many talented kids! – Jeramy Miller – music instructor
Wyoming Wilderness Camp is alive with the sound of music! Youth from around Wyoming, Nebraska, and Colorado have gatherd together to experience the outdoors in a different way. For the past eight years, youth have come together to draw, paint, and play insrtuments, adding prayer and laughter into the mix.
Allison Arnold, St. Matthew's, Laramie has been teaching art to youth at WWC for 8 years and also teaches home school youth in art at Hunter Hall.
New to the camp this year is Jeremy Weaver teaching music and Chanis Tagert teaching photography. The couple live in Esterbook but hail from Riverton and Douglas.
There has been a couple of major improvements to the grounds of the camp since I was here last year (2008). The biggest one was the swimming hole. Last year there was a major flash flood that came through the area before camp opened. The road into camp needed some repairs, but the major damage was the swimming hole. The entire platform was taken out and they had to close it for the year. Through a Mustard Seed Money contribution from All Saints Episcopal Church in Wheatland the swimming hole was rebuilt with some improvements. The bridge connecting the platform to the path is removable now and so when camp closes for the summer it can be taken down and stored. It looks really nice.
Another improvement was the work shed. This was built this year and now stores equipment that is needed to keep the camp running in tiptop shape. Such items like chainsaws, a small tractor, and other various pieces of equipment are stored there. It also serves as a workshop area to build more elements for the rope course. It fits right into the overall landscape of the camp.
This year a tree was cut down. A person would think it would be a simple procedure but it was not. The tree was rotting at the bottom and it was about a 150 feet tall. Not only that it was on a side of hill, between a couple of buildings (bathhouse, dinning hall, and the new shed) it was also in a major traffic area for people. Two companies would not even touch it. The person who did the job had to climb up the tree and cut it down in stages. It was a dangerous job because of the base of the tree being is such poor shape. Thankfully the tree was removed and nobody was hurt and the buildings were not damaged.
Looking at the tree before cutting it down.
The base of the tree. Not in good shape.
This is the final step. The guy was praying the entire time he was up there. They could not move a boom into the area to cut it down. I was told later that the tree almost split out at the bottom as the guy was cutting up at the top!
And last but not any less important is the rope course. This year Wyoming Wilderness Camp has added another "element" to the course. This was possible due to a contribution from a Mustard Seed Project from All Saints Episcopal Church in Wheatland. The pictures below reflect the higher element as it is being build along with the effort of the campers. In some ways those campers are planting seeds for future generations.
