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

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

"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

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

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

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

Let's go fishing! Fishing camp is available for FOUR different weeks this summer, depending on your age group! We'll explore the wonders of God's creation with quality time at the lake, creek, and river. While at fishing camp, you can expect to learn and practice skills such as casting, hook-tying and baiting, and more! We'll also share our secrets on how to find and catch the best, biggest fish. Depending on the catch of the day, you may also learn how to pan-fry it to perfe

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

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

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

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