What a blessing that we have so many good and pleasing stories that reflect the perfect will of God. As we enjoy the beautiful fall weather

Originally written in 2015 by camper parent and former camper, Jelise Ballon, for her blog, Neither Height nor Depth, here's a glimpse of the magic of summer camp from a camper and parent perspective. Summers may come and go, but these memories last well beyond. Here's a huge THANK YOU to all of our counselors, past and present, for sharing the magic of camp with all of our campers! Dear Camp Counselor, September is here. Backpacks are packed, pencils sharpened, and yellow

But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. 1968 was my first summer as a counselor at Caroline Furnace, and I returned in August to serve as chaplain for the last week of summer camp this year. Many people asked me about my reactions to the camp then and now. The Hogan Village is now only a dim memory at Caroline Furnace. People with names such as Pet

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, 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

This summer has been such an exciting one so far! We can't measure the amount of fun that we have had, the smiles we've seen, or the joy that has filled our hearts. Each camper has brought so much delight into our camp, sharing their stories, experiences and faith with us in their own unique way. Recently, our campers have enjoyed cowboy camping during Outdoor Challenge Camp, practicing canoe skills on the Shenandoah River, learning how to use kitchen equipment in Culinary

We are nearing the end of Week Four of summer camp and are overwhelmed with the joy, fun, and faith-forming experiences that the Lord has granted us. Through activities such as canoeing, singing, crafting, fishing, and archery, our campers and staff alike have explored the grace that God freely gives to each and every one of us. Together, we are learning that this is in fact not of our own doing but is an incredible gift from the Lord. As a community, we have committed our

Come to camp and watch the clouds move around you on top of a mountain, make an absolutely perfect mint chocolate pancake, canoe by turtles and jumping fish, hit a bullseye, build a fire, sleep in your hammock, find a massive piece of slag, and grow closer to Christ. You’ll daydream about these moments for the rest of the year! Stay tuned to discover how this changes everything! Be on the lookout for a new post every Friday until summer camp! #friendship #adventure #memories

Parents: Have you ever heard the same “funny” story for a year straight? No? Send your kid to camp and you’ll find out exactly what we’re talking about! Campers: Remember that one time when that person did that thing?! Yeah, that was great! Many more memories are waiting for you at camp this summer! Stay tuned to discover how this changes everything! Be on the lookout for a new post every Friday until summer camp! #friendship #adventure #memories #experience #love #grace #ren

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

All are welcome here at Caroline Furnace, especially YOU! We maintain an inclusive, positive Christian environment at camp, founded upon the fruits of the spirit. As the song goes, the fruit of the spirit is not a [insert favorite fruit here]; it’s love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-contro-o-o-l! Stay tuned to discover how this changes everything! Be on the lookout for a new post every Friday until summer camp! #community #welco

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

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

Summer camp is a big sleepover and dream vacation rolled into one, and packed with fun! You’re sure the leave the week with many new friendships, as well as countless memories and funny stories. Together you will explore your faith, set out on new adventures, and enjoy all of your favorite camp activities. Stay tuned to discover how this changes everything! Be on the lookout for a new post every Friday until summer camp! #adventure #memories #share #serve #experience #growth

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

Our counselors may be good at many things, but they’re the best at having fun! Join us for surprise dance parties, midnight gaga, camp legends, and other shenanigans! A fun counselor is a friend, mentor, mischief planner, caretaker, and leader. Stay tuned to discover how this changes everything! Be on the lookout for a new post every Friday until summer camp! #adventure #memories #serve #experience #community #love #grace #fun #faith #fellowship #leadership #learn #praise #ca

At Caroline Furnace, faith is central to the fun and adventure that forms our community. Join us in discovering God through morning worship, Bible study, Faith5, and our friendships. We’ll explore a new theme and story each day, and together we’ll find out how God’s love changes everything! Stay tuned to discover how this changes everything! Be on the lookout for a new post every Friday until summer camp! #adventure #memories #share #experience #valley #fun #camp #nature #cre

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

Are you ready for a new adventure?! Choose between activities such as spending a week canoeing down the river, learning archery, going rock climbing or caving, trying out horseback riding, experiencing camp at night with night camp, setting out on a backpacking trip, or even traveling to West Virginia for Whitewater Camp! Stay tuned to discover how camp changes everything! Be on the lookout for a new post every Friday until summer camp! #memories #share #experience #growth #c

Our explorer camps get into all kinds of shenanigans! Explorers stay in our centrally located Cabin Village and get to explore everything camp has to offer! The schedule is a bit less structured, so the group can decide together which activities they want to plan for the week. Explorer campers go creekwalking, play games, explore the furnace ruins and hunt for slag, sing silly songs, play gaga ball, make crafts, and have their own small group Bible study. They also join the r