My favorite story from the past seven months comes from the Backpacking crew on the last night of their out-trip this summer. Five middle sc

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

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. We all have those special moments in our life that make us stop and truly appreciate what is surrounding us. Because we have all been blessed, we most likely have experienced one of these "ah-ha" moments on the 250 acres of Caroline Furnace that we all call home. I'd like to share two of mine: The first comes from when little me stepped foot on camp property as a timid 7-year-old. Not entir

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." About 29 years ago, I went haphazardly along with a friend to spend a summer working at this camp in Virginia called Caroline Furnace. I was between jobs and she really wanted to have someone she knew with her at this camp, so I went. I was fairly new in my faith and was still figuring out what God wanted for me in my life. Little did I

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

"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." "Mommy, can we come back to camp?" The question is posed by my 4 year-old last week during Family Camp. We weren't getting ready to leave - in fact, we'd only been at camp for a few hours! But this is her 3rd year as a Family Camper, and those summers plus the many other visits to camp have already made an impression on her. She k

Let your light so shine before all, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven - As nobody lights a lamp only to cover it up, but places it so conspicuously as to give light to all who need light, so Christians, being the light of the world, instead of hiding their light, are so to hold it forth before all. At Caroline Furnace, you learn of the light and how the light can bring you through the darkness, and into a place of hope and life and

Caroline Furnace is a place that’s filled with comfort and acceptance. Love flows all around us because of one simple reason - we are surrounded by God’s love in every moment and we get to experience it in a beautifully unique way while we’re at camp. Come feel it for yourself! Stay tuned to discover how this changes everything! We’ll see you soon! #friendship #adventure #memories #share #experience #growth #community #alleluia #welcome #love #grace #faith #family #fellowship

And this is my prayer, that your love may overflow more and more with knowledge and full insight to help you determine what is best, so that in the day of Christ you may be pure and blameless, having produced the harvest of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ for the glory and praise of God. As staff training comes to an end and I am preparing for my second year as a counselor, I am reminded about all of the LOVE there is for and at camp. A year ago, I had no ide

Few things are better than worship among your camp friends. We'll gather around the campfire and sing praises under the stars. Let's spend an evening together in our beautifully restored 19th century chapel. Come sing, dance around, and praise the Lord with us out in God’s creation! Caroline Furnace worship is fun, exciting, and engaging. Stay tuned to discover how this changes everything! Be on the lookout for a new post every Friday until summer camp! #friendship #share #se

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

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen. This passage takes me home to Caroline Furnace because it is the first place I really began to understand its meaning. In this passage, God tells us that He will equ

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

Your camp friends just might become your best friends! Caroline Furnace friendships have proven to last much longer than the friendship bracelets you’ll make together. Decades later, camp friends still meet up for coffee, plan retreats together, and catch up at Caroline Furnace events. Stay tuned to discover how this changes everything! Be on the lookout for a new post every Friday until summer camp! #friendship #adventure #memories #share #experience #community #welcome #lov

Psalm 46:10 Takes Me Home "Be still and know that I am God." Wow!! Camp is so beautiful! There isn't a day that goes by at camp where I don't stop and think, "Wow, God made all of this; that is crazy". Sometimes at camp it is the little things in God's creation that make me stop and praise God. It may be the heart shaped leaves that make me think about God's love, or maybe just helping a camper growin their faith. Before I came to camp this verse was a reminder to me in the

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