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In 1954 when the first Christian Adventure Camp was held at Leakey, two traditions were begun that have been incorporated in every camper's heart since, and these are SILENCE and SINGING.
SILENCE: to and from a morning watch, or evening vesper service, allows any camper to worship, to meditate, to be thankful, or thoughtful, or concerned about others, and often times just to be aware of himself and his place in God's world. Silence also allows others to remain at a worship service as long as he wishes, or to leave when he feels ready.
SINGING: will always be a tradition with CACampers because of the way it draws them together in FUN TIME and QUIET TIME. So many of the traditional songs are identified with present and past counselors who have contributed so much of themselves to the traditions of CAC. No camper should miss the fun and privilege of the song in his heart when he leaves camp.
OPENING AND CLOSING CAMPFIRES: are also traditions because of the beautiful meaning established as a camper watches the dying embers of the closing campfire and he resolves not to let this true, and often times, new found love for Jesus Christ fade away from his life on his return home. He sits quietly and asks God to so help him. In the silence following the closing activities of the final night at camp he writes himself a letter stating the way he feels at that very time (letters to be mailed to the camper during Christmas holidays). Each year at the opening campfire, a last year's camper (probably now a Jacit) is selected to lead the way to the Vesper site, carrying a lighted torch (symbolic of the Spirit of the Living God) and they hand the flame to a camper. Togther they ignite the campfire to begin this year's camp of Christian Adventure. Time should always be allowed for the flames to ignite fully and for the camper to have the experience of watching the flames rise higher and higher, and for the beauty of the moment and the experience to speak to the camper. Yes, traditions are a grand thing to experience and to look forward to, but no tradition, however dear, should become the center focus of CAC. In the final analysis, the only permanent and lasting tradition is the experience and adventure of meeting and getting to know Christ personally. Perhaps these words (a favorite early morning hymn of one of our former ministers) can say it best in these eloquent and silent hills at Leakey: God has created a new day, Francis S. Reeves |