The Christian Community Camp on the East Coast is now in its 39th year. The children of former campers are plentiful. “What IS it?” the parents and friends ask, that makes this camp so special? What is it that goes so deep into the children’s hearts? The most concise and truthful answer is this: it is the Creation of Harmonious Community Life, in living action. We can dream all we like about a new and better world, but camp creates it, in a small but impressive way. The days have a rhythm, which compliment and harmonize the human being. They include nutritious, delicious food, chores, stories, artistic work, singing, nature, wild games, sports, laughter, reverence and gratitude. There are the usual frustrations of living with other people. We strive to be an example of working through difficulties through conversation and patience.
There is no one thing, no element that can be singled out as the most important, except this: Behind everything we do, there lives and weaves a consciousness of Christ as the Sun Spirit. This is no exclusive religion, but acknowledges that He belongs to the whole earth and can enter all human souls, regardless of nation or religion. It is this understanding that can bring about world peace. Our counselors often exclaim: “Why can’t life be like camp?” Why indeed? We have to begin somewhere with models that work!
