What do you get when you mix Amish work ethic with CLC fun?

Answer: Family Camp 2012 and a new porch for Weape!

Please forgive the hiatus between updates, as the year-round staff celebrated a staff wedding (Jeff Eckert’s!) and got ready to marry off our own Executive Director, (Nathan Bowen!), hosted several large groups after camp including two local college retreats and the annual Quaker reunion, and took a little vacation time.

Now we’re back! And very excited to update you on the first ever Family Camp with Amish. For those of you who donated – both your time and resources – a big THANK YOU. Your support was a tremendous help in making this event possible. The Amish cookbook for donors of $250 and up has been compiled, published and will be sent out soon and we are working on sending out a printed report with photos to everyone else who donated.

*For those of you just tuning in for the first time, this event grew out of a 7-year relationship CLC has developed between our local Amish community. Every summer our CITs do a cultural exchange with the Amish, but this is the first time we have invited Amish families to join us for part of Family Camp. Click here to learn a bit more: “Welcoming Amish Families to Camp this Summer”

For 2 days during Family Camp we played, worked and worshipped together with a lively group of Amish families. All in all, 40 Amish came to help us put an addition onto one of our cabins (Weape) and to participate in some family camp fun. But don’t take our word for it…see what some of the attendees had to say:

“Our family has done many things over the years, but we never ever vacationed together for two days. The prayers and singing in the dining room made us feel at home and created a closeness with everyone present. Ben and I enjoyed our early morning walk around the lake. We sat on the tee-pee logs to watch the sun rise. Usually that is the hour of the day that we would be busy milking cows, so it is a rare occasion that we get to quietly sit at such a lovely spot to see the sun rise. We felt inspired and renewed. I cannot express our feelings in words, it was such a precious time.” – Ben & Anna Lantz (Amish)

“I wondered how I would be able to connect with the Amish folks, but I needn’t have worried. I was walking by the bus just after the large group arrived, and Fannie stopped to say hello with a huge smile and introduced herself. We had a great talk, and then caught some moments during their stay to again connect. I just loved seeing the beautiful families…my goodness, they have such a pure sense about them. It was a terrific gift for us to be in family camp with such magnificent families! I’m so grateful we were here to be part of it.”
– Heather Woodman (Family Camper)

“Since we seldom eat out, being catered to was a rare enjoyable experience – a special thanks to the cooks (that chocolate mousse was memorable!). Two boys seeing a real bear, taking canoe and kayak rides, the evening around the campfire, the singing, food and fellowship were among the highlights of our stay with you. Those two days of experiencing camping with you all will long be remembered as very special memories. God bless you all. – Amos and Naomi King (Amish)

“I thought the Amish men really worked hard on the cabin. I had fun playing volleyball with some of the parents.” – Alex Trout (Family Camper, 10 years old)

With the first phase of the Weape porch complete, we are now working on phase 2 of the project: adding new counselor quarters. These renovations allow for this cabin to be used once again for campers and staff next summer. Your donations are gratefully accepted and will help cover the $2000 in materials needed for this final phase. All donors will still be receiving an illustrated report of the event, and donors of $250+ will receive an Amish cookbook.

To make a contribution, please visit our PayPal page:
Or send checks to: 1676 Crystal Lake Rd. Hughesville, PA 17737

Tremendous gratitude for your continued support of Crystal Lake and its mission “to promote spiritual growth in campers and staff and through them bless the world”!

Nathan