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Home Camp News A Fall 2008 Welcome from Camp Hanover
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A Fall 2008 Welcome from Camp Hanover

Mountain Group
Part of the Camp Hanover family
Hello to the Camp Hanover family. We have just finished a very full and meaningful summer season, our 52nd! We spent the summer learning about what it means to “Handle with Care” each other, God’s creation, and ourselves. We learned how Jesus handles us with care and calls us family. It is that family feeling that makes camp so special for me. You have your counselors who serve, in a way, as your mom and dad; and then the other members of your group are kind of like your brothers and sisters. You do things together as a family: you laugh and cry and work and play and worship and grow…just like a family. Your family may not agree with everything that you do but they still love you for who you are. Just as we are unconditionally accepted into God’s family, we hope that each of you felt accepted into your camp family.

I like to think of the “Camp Hanover family” as all those persons whose lives have been richly touched by this ministry over its fifty plus years. That family continues to grow and the ties that bind us together grow stronger and stronger. Each one of you who were part of our summer of camping is now part of that Camp Hanover Family.

This sense of family has been particularly acute for me recently. Earlier this week, I was asked to write a college letter of recommendation for a young lady who has been a camper with us for a number of summers. I have watched her grow up as she progressed through our camping programs, culminating in a Pathfinder session two summers ago. She has, in a sense become part of our family. I have the joy and privilege of being part of some of her life decisions…just like in a biological family.

I have had recent visits and phone calls from persons that I worked with on staff here in the 60’s and 70’s. We share that common bond called “Camp Hanover” that makes it easy for us to pick up where we last left off and relate in a meaningful way. We’ve been through thick and thin together. We celebrate life’s joys and support each other through life’s trials. We are family for each other.

Jesus says, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” (Matthew 12:48). He suggests that our family is much larger and greater than just those who grew up in our household. They are all those who seek to do God’s will. Camp is a place where I have certainly found those persons who are striving to be Christ’s followers. I am blessed to be able to call them my family. I hope that you feel the same about your Camp Hanover family, those persons with whom you shared so much this summer. Please make the effort to stay in touch with that part of your family throughout the year.

Visit the photo galleries to see pictures of some of your camp “family.” And start making plans to meet your camp family at Winter Camp (look for the 2008 Winter Camp Flyer soon on this website) this December. And start planning for the 53rd gathering of the Camp Hanover Family starting next June 15th…it’ll be a great family reunion.

Peace and Joy
Bob

 
Last Updated on Thursday, 25 September 2008 13:02
 

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