By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. Wise warriors are mightier than strong ones, and those who have knowledge than those who have strength; for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory. Home. This is a word that to most people may bring them back to a childhood memory of the house they grew up in. For many of us this word carries other meaning.
For me, when I think of the word "home," my mind drifts to the one place which has been so instrumental in shaping my life: Caroline Furnace. There is no other place where I can go and feel any closer to God than by standing surrounded by his majesty and seeing him in the people around me at camp. I began as a camper at Caroline Furnace when I was in Elementary School. I continued going to camp every summer through 1994, when I went as a CIT. I returned as a Counselor in 1995 and continued to return each summer through 1998. I made connections and lifelong friends during each of those summers, many whom I am proud to say I still remain in touch with. I did not return to CFLC in the summer of 1999, as I traveled to Sydney Australia and proposed to Fiona Leslie (who coincidentally was the Waterfront Director in 1998). Today we have two beautiful children who have both been long time campers and been touched by God's creation just as it touched me at an early age. Now as an adult and camper parent, it is no longer just me who things of camp as home, but it warms my heart to say my entire family sees it through those same eyes. We continue to visit and try to give back to Caroline through various retreats and work weekends, but truly we will never be able to repay God and his creation in Caroline Furnace for all he has done for us in our lives. I look forward to seeing many old friends and making new friends at the upcoming Spring Work Weekend.