Retreat stories – So much to be Thankful for!
On an unseasonably cold and rainy day last September, a wonderful woman named Sharon came to Vanderkamp for a tour of the retreat facilities. She lives just a few miles away from our retreat center, and wanted to take a look around and see the different buildings around camp.
I asked Sharon if she had ever been up to Vanderkamp before.
“Oh, yes,” she said. “Many times. In fact, last year my family rented Frank Lodge for Thanksgiving. We weren’t going to do it this year, but I think we have to.”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Well, times have been tough around here, and we were just going to do Thanksgiving at home. But the other night I was spending time with my family, and we were going to watch Wheel of Fortune. But before Wheel of Fortune, they do the Lottery drawing, you know?”
I nodded.
She continued, “So we were going around, saying what we would do if we won a million dollars. Then it got to my grand daughter, and she said, ‘If I won a million dollars, I would pay so we could go back to Vanderkamp this Thanksgiving.”
“Wow!” I responded, a little dumfounded.
“Yes. So, I talked to my children and we decided we need to make it happen. We just want to figure out which lodge we want to use.”
“That’s great!” I said. “My wife and I are thinking about inviting our families up for Thanksgiving this year, but we weren’t sure if they’d want to drive all the way from New Jersey and Connecticut to central New York.”
“You should! It was just wonderful,” she said. “We had time to just sit and be with each other. No television. No video games. No computers. We hiked through the woods, the kids played ‘Ghost in the Graveyard’ at night, everyone had such a nice time. I couldn’t believe my grandkids could go that long without TV!”
“That does sound great,” I responded. “I think you’ve convinced me. Our families could use some time to just be with each other and take a retreat from our crazy lives.”
And come up for Thanksgiving, we did. Our joint families rented Oscar Lodge and spent our days playing bocce ball, hiking, playing with the chickens, enjoying the fire, playing all sorts of silly games, and just taking time to really talk to one another. My one and a half year old spent the next several weeks signing “where?” and saying his version of the names of the different people in our family. It was easily the best Thanksgiving we ever had, and it gave me a great perspective on what it is like for our retreat guests when they spend a weekend here!
As for Sharon’s family? I caught up with her on Sunday, after their four night stay.
“How was it?” I asked.
“Everyone had the best time. And for next year, my kids are all saving up the money so it won’t be an issue. We can’t wait to see you then!”
And with that, Thanksgiving weekend was over. Around 45 people went back to their day to day lives, but feeling restored after a wonderful four day retreat. Feeling restored and rejuvenated, and most of all, thankful!
Merry Christmas, everyone! We have so much to be thankful for, and hope you do as well! Call 315-675-3651 or Contact Us today!
With love,
James, Taylor, and Oliver Davis
James is the Director of Program and Marketing at the Vanderkamp Retreat Center and Christian Summer Camp.
