Camp 1 Recap
WEEK 1 -
PALMER HOME AND STILL CREEK RANCH
IDAHO / JACKSON HOLE/ GRAND TETONS
Campers atop Rendezvous Mountain in the Grand Tetons
What an incredible week with Still Creek Ranch (TX) and Palmer Home for Children (MS). Week 1 of On River Time camps just ended. Camp 2 with Big Oak Ranch begins tomorrow. Because of you, lives are being impacted at camp.
On River Time exists to end childhood trauma by bringing about generational change. We serve children living in group children's homes. Through your support, we are working to help them understand they are not defined by their past experiences of abuse and neglect but can "break the cycle" and have a future filled with hope. Here's a recap of Camp 1:
Day 1 - Fly Into Jackson Hole Airport
A majority of the kids have never been on a plane or out of their home states before. Imagine what it's like for them to get a bird's eye view of the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone while flying into Jackson Hole Airport. Once we greet the campers at the airport we head to our home base, The Lodge at Palisades Creek, in Irwin, Idaho. TLAPC is an Orvis endorsed fly fishing lodge that is so kind to open it's doors to us for the first two weeks of their season. It's located right on the Snake River. Several of the campers are repeat visitors and they love to see Justin, Shayde, Charles, Tonia and the rest of the staff!
Day 2 - Fly Fishing on the Snake River, Small Group Devotions, Burning Our Fears
Day 2 is jam packed with an early start to our first day of fly fishing on the Snake River. Our guides are incredible, as they teach each camper how to cast, mend, and set the hook! Altogether the kids caught almost 200 trout! Mr. Steve shares important life lessons related to fly fishing, including letting go of what was lost and looking ahead to the future as well as trusting our Guide.
Later, we held our first of several small group devotions. The girls were on the porch of the A Frame overlooking the Snake River. That night, we gathered around the fire pit to "burn our fears". A few tears were shed and hope was renewed.
Day 3 - Day Trip to Grand Teton National Park and Jackson Hole
Day 3 we loaded the vans to head to Grand Teton National Park. Our first stop, was Teton Village to take the tram to the top of Rendezvous Mountain (elevation 10,455'). At the top, we headed to Corbet's Cabin for their "Top of the World Waffles". The kids loved the view and even threw a few snowballs! We then hiked from String Lake to Jenny Lake. The Grand Tetons are a perfect way to see the world from a new perspective! We toured the park the rest of the day before heading to the square in Jackson Hole and a pizza dinner.
Day 4 - Second Day of Fly Fishing, Small Groups, Scholarship Presentations
Day 4, was back on the river! Another great day of fly fishing and huge catches. The kids are becoming pros! Later we held another small group, this one about Gratitude. That night during dinner, we presented scholarships to all of our recent graduates and surprised Jaiden from Still Creek with a second scholarship, The Lance Cpl. Rylee McCollum Memorial Scholarship. On River Time Scholarships are one more way for us to do life with and stay connected to the kids we serve. We're so proud of them!
Day 5 - Whitewater, Small Group, and Pinning Ceremony
Day 5, was an adventure! We faced our fears through whitewater rafting. One of our rafts had more difficulty than the others but they all pulled together to help each other. We couldn't be more proud of the kids for their strength and how they took care of one another. Later in small groups, we talked about overcoming adversity, resilience, and trusting God in every situation. That night during our closing ceremonies, Mr. Steve presented stones from the river to each camper. Each stone he wrote kind and affirming words specifically to that child. It's always a powerful moment for the kids to hear the good that someone else sees in them. The affirmation then continued in our pinning ceremony. A powerful opportunity for each kid to recognize someone who made a difference in their life that week at camp, tell them what they meant to them, and ask them to pin them.
At camp, the kids are able to be their true selves as they build relationships with teens from other children’s homes who are just like them. Walls of fear or shame come down. Older, more experienced campers come back as peer mentors and act as role models to the younger ones.
And our work isn't over when camp ends. Far from a one and done experience, we stay involved in their lives through year-round programming, mentoring, and scholarships.
We look forward to welcoming Camp 2 tomorrow, Big Oak Ranch from Alabama. As always, we appreciate and welcome your support. Give today and help us achieve generational change in the lives of these beautiful children.