October Camp Re-Cap

October gave us the kind of camp weekend everyone hopes for: the perfect weather for spending hours outside and a cool night. This camp was special before the first game even began because it became our first ever sibling camp, with four siblings joining in for the weekend.

That small but meaningful first shaped the whole experience. It gave the camp a family feel, added extra laughter to the games, and made every shared meal, trail walk, and campfire moment feel even more memorable.

We also had our first weekend with camp counselors. Ella and Denise were a huge blessing to us and to the kids. The kids loved hanging out with them and even convinced the

m to get into the gagaball pit!

The weather could not have been better. October brought a refreshing chill that made sweatshirts feel right in the morning and campfires feel even better at night and the morning too. It was the perfect temperature to spend the days outside.

The weekend had a simple, happy flow:

• Lots of gagaball games

• Table games for quieter moments

• Crafts that gave everyone a chance to create

• Trail walks in the fresh fall air

• Fishing at the front pond

• Campfire time with s’mores

• A hearty breakfast to start the day right

  
  

Each activity had its own place, but together they created the feeling every good camp aims for: relaxed, active, welcoming, and full of connection.

Gaga ball quickly became the game of choice and one of the favorite parts of camp. It is the kind of game that gets everyone moving fast, laughing loudly, and jumping back in for another round as soon as the last one ends.

Gaga ball gave the weekend momentum. It helped break the ice, filled the day with movement, and gave campers a shared activity they could return to again and again.

Not every camp memory comes from running, jumping, or competing. Some of the best moments happen around a table, when everyone slows down a little.

Table games gave campers a chance to sit together, laugh, think, and enjoy a quieter kind of fun. These moments are easy to overlook, but they matter. They give campers time to connect in a different way, especially after a busy stretch of outdoor activities.

Crafts added another layer to the weekend. They gave everyone space to make something with their hands and use their imagination. For some campers, crafts are a calm break. For others, they are a highlight. Either way, they help make camp feel well-rounded.

A great camp day needs both high-energy fun and peaceful time. This October weekend had plenty of both.

Walking the trails was another highlight of the weekend. The cool weather made it easy to enjoy being outside, and the trails offered a change of pace from the games and group activities.

Trail walks do more than fill time. They help campers notice their surroundings, talk with one another, and enjoy the simple feeling of being outdoors. The campers also took part in a blindfold partner trail game designed to build trust. One person depended on their partner for guidance, while the other had to communicate clearly and carefully.

That kind of activity can be fun, but it also teaches something lasting. Campers practice listening. They learn how to give helpful directions. They see what it feels like to trust someone else and to be trusted in return.

Those lessons often stay with campers long after the game is over.

Fishing added a slower, peaceful rhythm to camp. After the movement of gaga ball and the focus of the trail game, time by the water gave everyone a chance to settle down.

Fishing teaches patience in a natural way. Sometimes there is action, and sometimes there is waiting. This time was mostly waiting, but worth every minute.

No camp feels complete without a campfire. As the evening cooled down, the fire became the natural gathering place. Campers could warm up, relax, and enjoy one of the classic camp treats: s’mores.

There is a reason s’mores never get old. They are simple, messy, sweet, and fun to make together. Toasting marshmallows gives everyone something to do, and the finished treat always brings smiles.

After a good nights sleep in the crisp fall air, the next morning brought a breakfast worth remembering: pancakes, sausage, and bacon. After a cool night, a warm breakfast by the campfire was exactly what the campers needed to jumpstart their day.

Pancakes, sausage, and bacon are the staple camp breakfast. It is something familiar. It was the kind of meal that fits perfectly with cool weather and happy tiredness from the day before.

This October camp will always stand out because it marked a first. Having four siblings attend made the weekend feel meaningful in a new way. It added family connection to the fun of camp and showed how special it can be when siblings get to share the same experiences together.

From gaga ball and table games to crafts, trails, trust-building, fishing and campfire s’mores, the weekend was full without feeling rushed. Every part had a purpose. Every activity gave campers another way to connect, play, learn, or rest.

The best camp memories are often simple ones. A cool morning. A good game. A trusted partner on the trail. A marshmallow over the fire. A plate of pancakes shared with friends and family.

Our first sibling camp gave us all of that, and it gave us memories we will be glad to carry forward. This camp was the perfect way to close an amazing camp year. We are so blessed to do these camps and spend time with these kids. We now enter a season of rest to re-charge for next year!