Day One at Harvest Camp: Look Up
There is nothing better than the first day at Harvest Camp.
Today we began our camp with Psalm 121:1–2:
“I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come?
My help comes from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.”
Psalm 121:1–2:
Psalm 121 is a Song of Ascents. It reminds us to look up. The mountains are beautiful, but our help does not come from them. Our help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.
We kicked off Harvest Camp with camp songs, motions, and dances. With this year’s theme, “Look to the Mountains,” we began by learning about Howard’s Knob, the mountain overlooking Boone. Each time we look up at this peak, it reminds us that God is near, faithful, and always our help.
We also learned about a mountain animal—the mountain lion. The campers learned that mountain lions have a unique roar (kind of sounds like a scream) and can jump as far as 40 feet in a single leap. We had a few campers give their impression, lots of screaming like a mountain lion. Ask them to demonstrate it for you.
Next, we headed into the woods for our traditional fort building. In over 20 years of Harvest Camp, I can honestly say this may have been our best first day of building yet—the forts were already impressive. Campers carried logs, constructed walls, laid down “grass carpet,” and worked together to create incredible structures. One camper even made a seesaw for ants, perhaps one of the most creative inventions we’ve ever seen at camp.
Seriously, these campers are the best.
It was good to see kids reconnecting with God’s creation, playing in the woods, using their imagination, and working together. Big logs, great walls, lots of laughter, and plenty of creativity made for a great start.
During craft time, we focused on two projects: painting canvases and decorating rocks. Each camper created a rock to take home and another to be sent to Ukrainian soldiers on the front lines. Some of these prayer rocks featured Ukrainian words and symbols of hope. These small rocks will be taken back to the front lines when we return to Ukraine in August through our Frontline Hope Ministry.
Some campers also took prayer rocks home. They can keep them in a pocket or somewhere special as a reminder to pray—whether they are having a hard day or a good day.
Then we were on the way to the “books” section, as we continued to “look to the mountains.” The campers explored topographic maps and learned how they reveal the shape of mountains.
They discover why some slopes are steeper than others, and even build their own mountains out of clay—a wonderful, hands-on way to appreciate the land God created.
Next came pool time. After a swim test and some quick instructions, the campers were ready to jump in. Yes, the water was a little cold—but not too cold for mountain kids!
And of course, we had to do the traditional Harvest Camp whirlpool. If you have never been part of a Harvest Camp whirlpool, you are missing out. It is a camp favorite for a reason.
All in all, Harvest Camp is off to a fantastic start.
Today, we learned to look up and remember that God is our help. We played in the woods, built forts, painted prayer rocks, studied maps, swam, laughed, and celebrated the world God made.
Thanks for joining us, and make sure you check back each day for a daily report.
Harvest Camp is a ministry of Harvest Equippers Ministries. Feel free to browse the stories section to read about our work around the world, but especially in Ukraine, where we will be returning in August.
Want to know more about our Frontlines Hope Ministry (Click here) and read the next blog.