Camp Metigoshe has always been a strong tradition in our family, even before I was a part of it! My husband, Daryld, attended camp when it was at the original site. Our two children both attended each summer and looked forward to that particular week every year. I attended scrapbooking retreats at the Christian Center and have worked for Metigoshe Ministries for over 14 years, and finally in the summer of 2024 I was able to attend my first camp at Camp Metigoshe: Grandparents Camp!

As the camp registrar, I know the ‘behind the scenes” activities of camp and how we work hard to prepare for campers and get everything ready for the summer camp staff. I see how the Executive, Program and Outreach Director all work together to make sure that everyone who attends camp has an extraodinary Adventure Anchored in Christ. It was exciting for me to become an actual camper and see how the other side of camp works.

Our time at Grandparents Camp could almost be described as magical. From the moment we drove to the front gate and received Hershey Kisses to the closing worship at Koiny, it was definitely three days of enthusiastic singing, fun-filled games, creative crafts, sunny days of swimming and meaningful faith-filled moments. Our grandchildren, Brody and Annika, never stopped smiling the entire time they were at camp. I think they even were smiling and giggling in their sleep.

The camp staff were so great to work with…from Emanuel’s infectious, non-stop smile, Kia’s enthusiastic energy and Adamas’ ability to always include everyone…the counseling staff made everyone feel at ease. God has blessed Camp Metigoshe with these young, faithful servants.

As a grandparent, it is something special to watch your grandchildren grow in their faith right in front of your eyes. The one day, our Bible Study (SWAT) had all the grandchildren in our group act out the story of Daniel in the Lion’s Den. It was amazing to see how they all worked together and played their parts, telling the story through their actions. It led to meaningful conversation and questions, which led to a better understanding of how God is with us and we need not be afraid. It was also meaningful to us to be able to spend time with our grandchildren in the setting of camp. We were free to have fun with the kids and not be distracted by other outside influences that happen in life. Camp was the perfect place to just be us and to make life-long memories with our grandkids.

The kids weren’t the only ones to have fun at camp. Adults had the option to attend an adult Bible Study or to participate in High Ropes, while the counselors took the grandkids for fun camp games. Daryld and I opted to give the High Ropes a try and it was a blast. Climbing the rock wall and overcoming my fear of heights was something I never thought I would do. The facilitators that day gave us the confidence and trust to meet the challenges that we faced, and they made the entire experience fun and worry-free.

When we asked Brody and Annika what their favorite parts of camp were, they couldn’t come up with just one answer. They loved the garden activities, trading post time when they picked out favorite snacks, crafts and games in Luther, swimming and taking saunas at the waterfront and of course, s’mores and music during campfire. We can safely assume they loved every aspect of camp.

The three days at camp flew by and soon it was back to reality for all of us. Before we had left camp, both Brody and Annika asked if we would take them to camp again next year, and our answer was a big, resounding YES! When we did get home, the kids couldn’t get their words out fast enough when they were telling their parents all about Grandparents Camp. They truly did have an Adventure Anchored in Christ.

If you have ever contemplated coming to camp as a grandparent or as a parent to Family Camp, I want to encourage you to register for camp this summer. It is a time that you will always remember and a time you will build countless memories that will last a lifetime with your children/grandchildren. It is also a perfect place to get away from all the noise, the distractions of life, and just spend time with the people you love and experience building your faith together. Registration opens on January 1, 2025…make sure you look at the schedule and be ready to register for your Adventure Anchored in Christ. Take it from me, you will not regret it, and like me, you will become a return customer as well.