Camping is an engaging way to enjoy nature and experience the many creations of God. The Christian Camping And Conference Association also believes it teaches Christian children and young adults five key values. Practicing good camping routines can help reinforce good traits in yourself, and improve the environment around you. And once you’ve prepared yourself for a fun time outdoors, there are some activities to try both in the woods and in the water.
There’s a difference between our everyday sense of community and genuine camaraderie. Telling stories around a campfire or playing games that teach you about each other can help campers bond, and form a sense of fellowship that comes from working together. They can also help you to learn new things about people you already knew. You shouldn’t try to force unwilling participants to join in, but rather try to understand their decision.
Try making a game out of cleaning up trash and finding litter around your campsite when you’re packing up to leave. Camping can be a great place to practice community service, and it can reiterate Christian teachings about charity and selflessness. Even if it’s not so obvious, a game that puts the emphasis on improving the area around you while in the wilderness can help your family or fellow campers to understand the beauty of God’s creations and how it’s all interwoven.
That’s not an assumption either; studies show that children who go outside more often tend to be more empathetic and mentally forgiving. Even casual outdoor activities like bird watching or searching for local flora or fauna you didn’t know existed can lead to an increased awareness of the different struggles and relationships creatures face to survive. They also teach us about the differences and similarities of creatures, so that we see more of ourselves in wildlife, and in each other.
Spending time in the great outdoors can be a humbling experience. Fishing, bird watching, and tracking down unique flora and fauna can teach us a lot about the beauty given to this world. Improving a local forest or clearing a campsite can teach us empathy, and that it’s more important to preserve and create than to destroy. And doing so with others can teach communication and cooperation that can help to improve our daily lives.
-Cassidy France
