It was the summer camp we both worked at for numerous summers. Before working there, I was also a camper for a few years. They were holding an event called Camp Big Kid where former staff members could come up for the weekend and play like a kid at camp.
It was a glorious three days. I'll get into more details about it in a moment.
After I left camp, I went to Sunday Mass with my parents at their Parish for the Solemnity of the Ascension. It was a beautiful Mass, unfortunately the homily was just sort of ho hum. Nothing earth shaking for me.
After a couple hours of driving and a random search at the border where I was detained, (yay, thanks border security), I got home and happily listened to a great podcast homily from my good friend and old College buddy Father Bryan Ochs out of St. Rose in Longview, WA.
You can listen to the homily here.
In his homily he speaks a little bit about how we can have glimpses of hell and of heaven on earth. He talks about isolation from others being a sort of hell. He then talks about how being in communion with others gives a glimpse of heaven and the communion of saints.
I found this part of the homily particularly pertinent to my experience that day and that weekend. I had just come from camp and all of the words said, things experienced, and people I love were still close in my mind. The goodbyes were still fresh and I was still in disbelief that camp was over.
No other place, (outside of Mass) makes me feel closer to God than Evans Lake. This fact in particular is one reason I have been going there in my mind for the last few months in my daily meditations. I have been spending time with Jesus in prayer at the rockslide, at campfire, on chimney rock, on the lake trail, etc.
I got the feeling last weekend that a few of my friends felt close to the eternal there too. One of my friends Steve said, "Evans Lake is my religion, and I haven't been to Church in a while". My other friend Kalen said something like feeling like he was in heaven while we were on a hike in the Evans Lake forest. Why? Why does being in this particular forest with these people doing crazy things make us feel this way?
I think there are a few things to note here.
First let me point out, Evans Lake is not affiliated with any religion. It is a secular camp. The staff comes from all different backgrounds, liberals, conservatives, Christian, Atheist, Pagan, Jewish, Buddhist, Gay, Straight. You name it. Everyone is represented.
Second, I have not seen these people in several years. Some of them ten years or more. Some of the newer staff I had never even met.
I think that being in a place outdoors speaks to our hearts of the divine and the eternal. In the Catechism it says that through seeing the beauty of creation we can come to a knowledge of God. So while admiring the beauty of nature, our hearts immediately turn to thank God for that beauty.
I have also noticed that at camp, even though we have such different world views and political leanings outside of camp, when we are at camp we just love and respect each other. There has always been a great deal of emphasis on respecting the people you encounter at camp. So in this effort to be respectful I find that we have often been able to love each other for our little quirks and special qualities. I think we feel so loved for just being ourselves. I heard that a friend said, "I can be my whole self at camp". We feel free. We act weird. We dress up like crazy people for themed lunches and breakfasts and we don't feel self conscious because there's just this knowledge that we will be loved through all of it.
Some of these people who I haven't seen in maybe 14 years since I last worked there immediately gave me long happy hugs when I arrived. It's like we never skipped a beat, friends for all this time.
It reminds me of a part of the Theology of the Body (Pope John Paul II's book) where we speak about mankind before the fall, where there was original justice and harmony. People could love without fear of risk or rejection. They were free to be their whole selves without fearing abuse from the other.
Coming back to camp felt like coming to a wedding reception. Everyone you know and love is there and everyone is happy to celebrate! It reminds me of how heaven is described as the wedding feast of the lamb in the Bible.
Lastly, while we are at camp we're goofing off. The weight of the world seems far away. We trust whoever is the COD (coordinator of the day) that whatever comes next will be amazing and hilarious. We act like kids, playing crazy games, knowing what to expect and accepting whatever is given to us. We return to a sort of innocent and playful childhood.
Wouldn't it be amazing if everyone's experience of Church were like this?
Seeing God everywhere we look, feeling loved by everyone we meet, feeling free, confident and trusting WHO is in charge?
The reason my friends feel God in this place is because He is there. Through the beauty of his creation, through the love of the people present, and through the joy in the heart of being childlike again. God was there. It was beautiful.
I pray that everyone find a community like this. I pray that my own church can grow more communities like this. And I pray for all of my Evans Lake buddies and their beautiful lives, spouses, and children.
To my friends at camp, you are amazing. The weekend in our forest home was unforgettable and I thank you all for being there and bringing all of yourselves out to play. It was good for my soul.
Keep being amazing human beings.
Remember, (like Mer said) where we're all supposed to go if a zombie apocalypse breaks out...bring food and supplies and we'll blast the road. LOL!
I love you all. Big hugs.
