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Aug 21, 2018

End of Summer Update

We have been blessed with an incredible Summer Camp season here at Caroline Furnace! With the help of God, as well as the communities and individuals that support this ministry, we had eight weeks filled with faith, fun, and friendships that will last a lifetime. A total of 297 campers came to Caroline Furnace this summer! Of those 297, over 100 campers had financial support from their congregation, an outside organization, or from our camper scholarship fund. God's love and

It's Week Eight of camp,

Aug 9, 2018

It's Week Eight of camp,

It's Week Eight of camp, which is always bittersweet. We've already had our final Opening Campfire for the summer, our last Color Tag, our last time in St. John's for Wednesday Evening Worship. There are no more doctor skits, no more staff introductions, and no more nervous campers arriving for the first time. We only have one more Fancy Dinner, two more option blocks, one more game of Capture the Flag, and just a few more meals together. It has truly been an incredible summe

Exploring Nature changes everything

May 11, 2018

Exploring Nature changes everything

We have 257 beautiful acres of forest and fields, with a creek, lake, and extensive trail system. Caroline Furnace is surrounded by George Washington National Forest and is only twenty minutes away from the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. We enjoy taking the time to enjoy the incredible blessings of God’s creation, and we have a wonderful place to do so. Stay tuned to discover how this changes everything! Be on the lookout for a new post every Friday until summer camp! #a

A New Passion changes everything

Apr 27, 2018

A New Passion changes everything

Our counselors come to Caroline Furnace with a wealth of experiences that they love to share! Come to camp to explore your faith and the outdoors, and you may find yourself with a new passion, skill, or hobby as well! Learn to play guitar, build a fire, make a whistle with grass, create slag jewelry, paddle a canoe, bait a hook, use sign language, and make the best mac and cheese around! Stay tuned to discover how this changes everything! Be on the lookout for a new post ever

A Night Under the Stars changes everything

Apr 20, 2018

A Night Under the Stars changes everything

Rumor has it that Caroline Furnace has the darkest night sky within two hours of Washington DC. Join us for a night (or five) under the stars! Every camper gets the opportunity to stargaze throughout the week, and Outdoor Challenge campers get a special treat with a Cowboy Campout one night. Of course, out-trips such as canoeing and backpacking get to live under the stars for the week! Stay tuned to discover how this changes everything! Be on the lookout for a new post every

Matthew 25:40 Takes Me Home

Apr 19, 2018

Matthew 25:40 Takes Me Home

And the King will answer them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, so you did it to me." Christ loves and accepts all of us, encouraging us to come as we are. Camp has embodied this open-minded, welcoming atmosphere for me in a way that has allowed me to feel comfortable expanding my own faith. As we sing in the hymn, WE ARE CALLED to love tenderly. Never does He mention only loving certain neighbors, but Jesus ca

Camp Feature: Horse Camp

Apr 12, 2018

Camp Feature: Horse Camp

For Grades 4 to 6 and Grades 7 to 9 Campers: Saddle up for an exciting week! During your mornings at nearby Fort Valley Ranch you will learn to care for, saddle and ride a horse western-style. The wranglers will pair you with a horse for the week so you can build a partnership and learn your horse’s unique qualities. You will practice controlling your horse using your voice, reins and legs, and put your new skills to the test on the trails surrounding the ranch. Our 2018 Hors

Mar 29, 2018

Camp Feature: Crafting Camp

Are the craft options your favorite part of a week at camp? Do your friends and family describe you as creative? Do you enjoy making things for yourself and others? Does your room seem more like an art gallery than a bedroom? Would you like to learn to make cool things? Does Crafting Camp sound like a good time? If you said yes to any of these, join us for a week of limitless creativity! We'll play around with a variety of media (styles of art) throughout the week as we explo

Matthew 11:28 Takes Me Home

Julie Kroll, Director of Sales and Program

Feb 22, 2018

Matthew 11:28 Takes Me Home

“Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” If these trees could speak, I bet they would have quite a story to tell. I sometimes wonder: How many people have spent time here and left more rested, a bit more whole, feeling closer to God? How many campers have experienced God’s love through their counselors or a new friend? What is the magnitude of impact from this place hidden in Fort Valley? There’s no way of truly knowing th

Galatians 5:6 Takes Me Home

Feb 15, 2018

Galatians 5:6 Takes Me Home

"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself though love." Galatians 5:6 For me, this verse perfectly describes camp. It is a place and a space where people come together and share in fellowship and the love of the Lord. It's that very love that pours out all around us, allowing us to love and support each other, uplift each other in the Spirit, and to point each other to Christ. It is through faith that we commit to this beautiful ministry. And through the ministry

Psalm 121 Takes Me Home

Tom Powell, Executive Director

Feb 8, 2018

Psalm 121 Takes Me Home

Over the mountain ridge and into the valley I travel home to peaceful and natural surroundings where HIS Grace is abundant. Although the grace and peace of our Lord is everywhere... there is just something about the arrival into Fort Valley that relaxes the mind and opens the spirit. The cold flowing waters of Passage Creek awaken the thoughts of a baptismal cleansing while the open fields and endless natural beauty of the forests reveal the power of HIS creation. There are m