What I Learned from a Young Family Camping

I watched from a distance one Friday a young mom and dad with their 3 boys and a girl as they camped close to our campsite.  They had a nice travel traveler.  I assume he was a farmer and she worked to support the family business.  Mom and Dad both were preparing a hot breakfast on the gas stove.  Two of the boys, I would say 8 years old, who looked like they were twins toss a ball back and forth.  Both were typical active boys who loved sports.  The eldest boy, 10 years old, explored the grounds around the camper.  He didn’t venture too far away but kept himself busy looking for bugs and fun rocks.  The little girl was 3 years old, and loved to climb.  She climbed on the picnic table.  She climbed up and down the steps of the camper.  She hopped up into the lawn chair.  She used her mobility in anyway possible. 

As I watched the family work and play, I saw that each child had his/her way of playing and doing things. 

Breakfast was ready. Mom set the picnic table.  Dad help the kids wash their hands under the outdoor faucet.  The food was on the table.  The kids each had their spot.  Mom asked they all hold hands and the 10 year old was asked to pray.  I could not hear what he prayed all I know was that it was short and sweet. 

Breakfast was shared with the usual messes and half eaten food.  They girl didn’t stick around the table for every long before she wanted to try out her feet again.  Well, after about 15 minutes of eating and conversation.  I noticed each child had a clean up chore.  All had to take care of their plates.  One took care of the milk and juice.  One passed the leftovers up to the Mom in the traveler. One helped Dad wash the dishes.  The little girl in blonde pony tails didn’t have any chores. 

Once they had cleaned up do you want to guess what they did next?  I was impressed.  Just as breakfast had a system, the family next had their morning Bible study or Bible reading or close to Mom and Dad doing the Bible talking.  Each child went into the camper and came out with their own Bible. 

Now, you would think this was a high and holy moment for the entire family.  But I could see that the kids had their Bibles open but I observed from their body language that it was a struggle from time to time to listen and learn.  Mom and Dad had their bibles open and discussing.  I think the bible lesson took about 15 minutes.  And Dad finished their time with prayer. 

Once the Amen was said the bibles were closed and put away. 

The next boys adventure I observed were the three boys playing with the firewood.  They wanted to build a fire.  And when you have a fire everyone knows that you have to chop up firewood with a hatchet.  Exciting times were about to begin. 

The boys started to set up the first piece of wood to chop.  I assumed this was a Dad job but commence to chopping. It was right before the first hatchet swing that Dad saw the action. He didn’t yell, STOP.  He didn’t run over and take the hatchet away.  He walked over started to show them the right way to chop firewood.  He did once or twice by himself explaining.  Next, one of the twins wanted to try.  So the Dad put him in the right position with his feet, hands and hatchet.  And together they chopped their first piece of wood.  Each boy took a turn to listen, learn and chop.  The twins picked up the technique right away.  They could have chopped wood all day long for the entire KOA camp. 

After they had several successful swings of the hatchet, the oldest boy wanted to try one more time.  He did try but on this try the hatchet hand hit the wood and broke off the axe head.  The boy was stunned and unhurt but he broke his Dad’s hatchet. 

What I saw was a miracle?  I thought Dad would start yelling and shouting, “Were you listening at any thing I was saying?”  His actions spoke louder than words.  Dad embraced the son.  Asked, “Are you ok?” He went back into the camper and brought out the duct tape.  Duct tape can fix anything when your camping. 

I believe the son learned a lesson that morning.  He learned that my dad will listen and love me even when I make a mistake.  The Dad gave the son another chance at chopping firewood. 

The Hocking Hills KOA campground is in a pretty location.  You feel like you are away from everything and everyone.  And you are! No cell service! This campground is on a side a hill.  There’s not much level ground.  It is a good place to hike and get your exercise.  Annie and I love the place.  Most times you can see camper kids on their bikes riding up and down the lanes.

The young family I was observing did not have bikes.  That was a surprise for me.  But by this time wood chopping had stopped and the twins were back to throwing a  football back and forth on the hill.  Sometimes they catch it and other times one twin would miss and the ball would roll down the hill.

As they tossed the ball back and forth, a kid on a bike flew by them seemingly out of control.  I said to myself that doesn’t look good. The bike rider kept picking up speed and before he knew it he lost control of his bike crashed to the ground.  The twins turned and saw it happened. And before I could get up out of my chair to help both of them, the twiins dropped the football and ran down to help the boy.  One picked up the bike.  One assisted the boy off the ground.  They asked were he lived and pointed down the hit a little further.  The three of them made their way to the boy’s campsite. 

The twins ran back to their camper and told them what they did.  I believe the Mom and Dad were impressed with their compassion.  I don’t think the Mom and Dad knew how much the Truth the kids absorbed in the Bible study that day, but those young boys acted like Jesus at that moment.

The Bible verse that morning could have been…”Train up a child in the way that he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”  Proverbs 22:3

You thrive when God’s truth lives through you.