As an organization promoting faith, education and renewal in God's creation, we've been discerning how to make Caroline Furnace a more environmentally sustainable organization. It is our aim to continue seeking ways to better serve the Lord and our communities in ways that are feasible for our staff, meaningful to our retreat groups, and educational to our campers and students. Here are some ways we would like to improve our relationship with the Earth and promote creation

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

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

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

These are some of the things campers are thankful for and have shared at evening campfire. "Yay God"s are shared with the whole group and followed by snaps. safety. old friends and new. the earth. the universe. teamwork. trees. dogs. s'mores. my counselors. the lake. gaga ball. everybody. God. campfires. Jesus. lightning bugs. horses. ice cream. camp. #peace #share #serve #growth #alleluia #love #grace #renewal #faith #praise

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

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

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

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

"The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?" I love this verse because I think it's so easy to be held back by fear - whether it's fear of disappointment, rejection, etc. It can be hard to push ourselves outside of our comfort zone. But God says, "I'm here. I got you." And with God on your side, is there anything to really be aftraid of? Is there anything that can really hold us back from going outside our comfort zones and growing and learni

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

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

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.” John 6:35 brings me home to my new surroundings, where I look forward to experiencing God's sustenance with others in many ways. Sometimes we forget that concrete, tangible food is not the only form of sustenance. Certainly, we rely on a varied balanced diet for nutrition and energy. What might surprise us is we receive so much more in t

For by grace we have been saved through faith, and it is not our own doing; it is the gift of God! What a blessing! Join us at Caroline Furnace this summer as we explore God's blessings through the lens of Ephesians 2:8. #alleluia #welcome #praise #spring #share #experience #season #love #grace #renewal #faith