One of the highlights of the year for some of our Church youth is the Adventure Camp we hold each summer. This unique and challenging camp offers our teens the opportunity to do something that they would probably never be able to otherwise. The youth in the Church are very important to us, and we want to do all we can to help them to develop—both physically and spiritually.
Preparation for this camp begins months in advance, as all who participate must physically prepare themselves for this challenging adventure. By the time they arrive for camp, all must be in top physical condition to be able to complete the challenges they will face. This year, after weeks and months of preparation, nearly 40 enthusiastic campers and staff arrived in Oakhurst, California on July 9, excited and ready to go!
Each day, adult staff started things off for the youth with both physical and spiritual food. After breakfast the first morning, Mr. Sheldon Monson gave a Bible Study on the important and timely topic of “Preparation.” We then loaded the vehicles and hit the road. As we entered the spectacular Yosemite Valley, many of the youth could be heard “ohhh-ing” and “ahhh-ing” at the majestic views of Half Dome, El Capitan and Yosemite Falls. This is a valley unlike any other place in the world, and can only be truly appreciated in its fullness by being there. We then hiked about two miles up the “Mist Trail” to the top of Vernal Falls. This hike was a good warm-up for what we were to begin the next day. After the hike, we stopped for lunch and then drove for about three hours, going out of the east entrance of the Park over Tioga Pass (elevation 9,945 feet), then south to the town of Mammoth, California.
Mammoth Mountain is a popular ski resort, and was where we would begin our backpacking trip the next day. After checking into the hotel, we held an orientation meeting with everyone, and went over what we would be doing on the backpacking trip. Needed equipment (such as cooking stoves, water filters, dishes and tents) was handed out to each group and packed into backpacks. We then weighed the backpacks to make sure all were carrying their fair share. The weights varied from 25–40 pounds for the women, and from 40–60 pounds for the men. Some of the strong young men like to prove their strength by carrying more, which is perfectly fine with us “old guys” on the staff. We all then enjoyed our last “real food” for a few days, having pizza and salad.
That night would be our last night of good sleep in a real bed for several days. The next morning, we again started the day off right with breakfast, followed by my Bible Study on the timely topic of “Perseverance”—something all of us would need over the next five days. Now it was time to begin the adventure! We all loaded onto a bus at the main lodge at the Mammoth ski area and were driven up to the trailhead. The bus stopped along the way and let us walk up to see the “Devil’s Postpile National Monument.” We then put our backpacks on, and began our hike into the wilderness.
Park regulations required that we split into three groups for hiking and camping, so each group headed out on its designated route in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. We would be on the famous John Muir Trail and Pacific Coast Trail much of the time, hiking at elevations from 8,500 feet to more than 11,000 feet. After more than six hours of grueling hiking, my group made it to our campsite—the beautiful Thousand Island Lake, at an elevation of 9,833 feet—shortly before sunset. We had just enough time to set up our tents before the sun dropped over the mountains, along with the temperatures.
To run an efficient camp, everyone in the group must work together to do all of the necessary chores. While some of the guys pumped water through the purifiers (all drinking water must be purified, even in the wilderness), some of the girls quickly prepared dinner. We then cleaned the dishes and packed the food into the bear barrels that are required by the Park Service when hiking in the Sierra Mountains (and many other state parks). By the time we had everything done, it was quite dark, which afforded us an amazing view of the night sky. On a clear night at that elevation, the view of the stars and planets is spectacular! Shooting stars could be seen streaking across the night sky many times—God’s vast universe seemed a little clearer than usual. After the long day, and due to the cold temperatures, everyone went to bed fairly early.
Friday morning was another beautiful sunny day, but we did notice that the water was frozen in bottles that some had left outside of our tents overnight, indicating that the overnight temperatures had probably dropped into the 20s. But the sun warmed things up quickly, and we had our morning breakfast of coffee or hot chocolate and oatmeal with nuts and dried fruit. After a Bible Study, we took down the tents, packed everything up and headed up the trail. That day, our route would take us over Island Pass to Waugh Lake. After spending Thursday night at different lakes, all three groups would stay together at Waugh Lake over the Sabbath day. The hike for my group was shorter that day, and—due to starting the hike earlier in the day than Thursday—we were able to make it to our campsite by mid-afternoon. After setting up tents and the campsite, the hearty hikers had time to wash some of the trail dust off and take a swim in the refreshing (and very cold) lake. The warmth of the sun felt good after getting out of the very cold water, and it was wonderful to be clean once again. We were then able to enjoy a relaxed Friday dinner, and to get all of the clean-up done before sunset. Once again, we had an incredible view of a star-filled sky before heading into our tents for the night.
Everyone appreciated being able to sleep in on Saturday morning. After two hard days of hiking, all appreciated even more that the Sabbath is a day of rest. Sabbath brunch consisted of cheesy eggs, sausage, Mexican rice and beans and pancakes with syrup. Everyone enjoyed the brunch, and no one left hungry. After a leisurely morning, we walked a mile or so and met up with the other two groups that were camped farther down the lake. Sabbath services were held sitting in the woods on logs and rocks in God’s awesome creation. We all sang hymns, followed by a sermonette by Mr. John Robinson on “The New Normal,” special music by Molly Forrestier and a sermon on wisdom from Mr. Darrell Lovelady. Not forsaking the assembly of ourselves applies in the remotest of places, and the fellowship was abundant as campers compared stories of their experiences. After the closing hymn, Mr. Monson made a surprise announcement—everyone was invited to walk down to the lake and witness a baptism. One of the older campers had been counseling for baptism with Mr. Monson and requested that he be baptized at the adventure camp. So, we all went down to the lake and watched as this young man was baptized and had hands laid on him by the ministry present. Congratulations, Jake Hunter! Jake was the first person to be baptized on one of these camps, and it was an inspiration to all. The remainder of the afternoon was spent enjoying the scenery, swimming in the lake and resting for the next day.
On Sunday morning, we got up early in order to start on the trail before the temperature grew too hot. That day’s hike would be the hardest day of the trip, in that we needed to go over the 11,056-foot Donahue Pass. After our normal breakfast of oatmeal, and our Bible Study, we broke camp, packed up and hit the trail. God gave us another gorgeous sunny day, and everyone was feeling strong after having the Sabbath off to recuperate. High altitude can be a real challenge to hike in if you are not used to it, and a few of the campers did have some trouble going over the pass, but they persevered in spite of how they felt. Everyone made it over in good shape. The view from the top in all directions was spectacular, and some of the girls were even doing a dance of joy for having made it up there. As we came down the other side, we could see the length of Lyell Canyon, where we were going to spend the night. After more than seven hours of hiking, we found a great campsite across the river from the trail and pitched our tents. Because we had left our previous campsite early, we were able to get the new camp set up by 4:00 p.m., which gave us extra time to clean up in the river and relax.
At previous lakeside campsites, we had tried to do some fishing, but to no avail. That Sunday was different, as some of the guys were able to catch some fish in the river, which we all enjoyed eating as a supplement to our dinner. Another difference that night was that, since we were now in the Yosemite National Park, we were able to have a campfire—something everyone really appreciated. After dinner and dishes were done, we sat around the fire, and we talked until much later in the evening than we had in the “cold camps” the previous nights. It had been a long hard day of hiking, but everyone was happy to have made it over the mountain in good shape.
On Monday morning, we had our usual oatmeal for breakfast, followed by a Bible Study on “Adversity”—a topic everyone could relate to. We then packed up the tents and backpacks, waded across the river and headed down the trail. Monday’s hike was a relatively easy 8–9 miles along the river, and was fairly flat. We finished the hike at Tuolumne Meadows in the early afternoon, loaded our gear in the vehicles and drove to a campground in Groveland, California. Everyone enjoyed swimming in the campground pool, playing volleyball and taking a warm shower before eating dinner—hotdogs never tasted so good!
After a sumptuous breakfast of scrambled eggs, pancakes and turkey bacon on Tuesday morning, Mr. Lovelady gave a Bible Study on “Kindness.” We then packed our tents, loaded our gear and headed just down the road to the rafting company, where we boarded buses that took us down to the Tuolumne River where our next adventure began. After being outfitted with life jackets and helmets, we climbed in the rafts and began our 17-mile journey down the river. Seven hours and many rapids later—one class five, thirteen class four and countless class three—we completed the journey. We were wet, sunburned and tired, but excited and full of memories. This rafting trip was probably the best rafting trip we have done at any of the Adventure Camps and everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. We then drove back to Oakhurst, where we had begun this trip. After dinner we showered and had a good night’s rest. What a treat it was to sleep in a bed after five nights on the ground!
On Wednesday morning, we once again needed to get an early start, but we still had time for both physical and spiritual food with Mr. Monson giving the final Bible Study of the camp on “Achievement.” The day was spent driving to Sequoia National Park where we saw the giant Sequoia trees. Standing at the foot of the General Sherman tree makes one feel quite small. It is the largest (by volume) living tree known of on the earth today, and it is thought to be more than 2,000 years old! Perhaps they should have named it Methuselah? After seeing these trees, we made the long drive back to Oakhurst, where there was still work to do. All of our camping gear had to be taken out, cleaned, organized and packed back in the tubs in which they were brought, then loaded back into Mr. Monson’s trailer. Everyone pitched in and got it done with enough daylight left for a few volleyball games. We all enjoyed a final dinner of spaghetti, after which we packed up to head home the next morning.
This year’s trip was yet another epic success, and everyone who was able to participate in it loved it. This year we had to turn down more than half of the people who applied to come—we are clearly seeing the popularity of these trips grow. The Church wants to help our youth to grow spiritually and physically, and this camp is a perfect opportunity for both.
If you are interested in attending the Adventure Camp next year, you need to be preparing for it now. Since we can only take a portion of those who apply, we will be looking at the applications and ministerial recommendations carefully. Being chosen to attend this camp is a privilege and a reward for those who are dedicated. If you are setting a good example and serving in your local congregation, attending Sabbath service with the Living Church of God every week, participating in the regular teen camp and serving at preteen camps, your name will be at the top of the list.
We look forward to another great Adventure Camp trip next year, and are beginning to plan it now. These camps do require a lot of planning and expense for the Church. The camp tuition does not begin to cover the actual cost of the camps, so if you would like to help and contribute to this and any other camp, we would appreciate it very much.
In addition to the photos on these Living Church News pages, there are many more incredible pictures and videos of Adventure Camp posted on the LCG Living Youth Facebook page as well as on the LivingYouth.org Web site.