Dunlap, CA B [Kathy Pieracci] - Our summer camp was held in the beautiful foothills of Dunlap California at St. Nicholas Ranch. We began each day with morning prayers and celebrated vespers under the swaying branches of trees on a patio located in the center of camp. While praying and singing we were often visited by humming birds, singing sparrows, gorgeous butterflies and the occasional wild pig and her babies. We were constantly reminded of God’s creation at every hour of the day.

Our theme for camp was “My Church, Our Home” and so it seemed fitting to begin our week with a walk to the Life Giving Spring Monastery to visit with Sister Fevronia, who shared with us stories of the lives of Saints and their families. We continued this theme in our Christian Education sessions with the 12-20 year olds discussing the relationship between church and their homes in the first section of the class and the second section was dedicated to them constructing a church model.

The younger campers started their Christian Education with making lists of “things” that can be built and the tools needed to build them. By weeks end they painted smocks and filled their pockets with the tools they need for their faith. They realized how much our church and our homes have in common and how important it is to always use their tools to develop and enhance their faith.

While half the campers ventured out to the mountains and lakes of the Sequoias the rest of us stayed behind and assembled boxes of personal hygiene items and school supplies for the “Gift of the Heart” kits in hopes of helping those less fortunate than us.

Our campers created all sorts of interesting figurines with molding clay, made picture frames and paper mache’ masks in arts and crafts. They also mastered the craft of pysanki making.

In the constant heat of 100 degrees or more we took turns by cooling down each day splashing and playing in the swimming pool, we also played games of basketball, ping pong and volley ball. We even had evening fun by playing a round of Bingo and a game of Bunco. As evening fell upon us we spent an evening star gazing with the help of a telescope Not to be forgotten were also the daily bible questions given to campers and staff alike.

Our week ended with the entire camp attending confession and celebrating Divine Liturgy in the chapel at the Monastery, followed by our traditional “Camp Olympics” and “Camp Fire”.

The greatest gift I received this week was having so many people to share our Orthodox Faith with and the pleasure of seeing so many children and staff members creating new friendship and maintaining existing ones. No one wanted it to end.