How does a young boy grow into a man? A man of values? A man of principle? A godly man? In a world ripe with confusion and conflicting messages, the pathway to manhood is anything but easy to navigate.
While we certainly can’t correct all of the spiritual and social woes in a single four-day weekend, we can strive to come alongside fathers who want to do everything possible to make the most of the fleeting years of boyhood.
The Father and Son Camp East is an opportunity for dads who want to leave a legacy of Godly masculinity to enjoy time together in the rugged outdoors, making memories that will last a lifetime.
The Camp: In a Nut Shell.
For those of you who just want the facts, here goes.
Four-day camp. Fathers and sons begin arriving Thursday afternoon. The camp concludes Sunday at noon, just after worship. (Lunch on your own!)
Location. The Father and Son Camp East is located in Southwest Pennsylvania, just outside of Waynesburg, on the beautiful rolling Strath An Dé Farm, owned by Jim and Barb Butler.
Age of Sons. If Dad feels like he can keep up with and take care of his son, regardless of age, then we say, “bring ‘em.” While most campers are usually 5 years and above, some brave Dads have brought 3 year olds!
Camping. A camping spot, complete with firewood, is provided. Dads bring their own tent and camping gear.
Food. While three evening meals are provided, Dad is responsible for preparing breakfast, lunch and snacks for him and his sons. Each campsite has a fire ring for cooking and a picnic table will be in close proximity.
Program. What do we do for 4-days? A lot! We begin and end each day with a special message for fathers and sons from the heart of Norm Wakefield, a national speaker known for his desire to come alongside fathers who are in the trenches training their sons to be men. Then, there’s activities such as hiking, disc golf, paintball, and archery, not to mention zip lines, clay pigeon shooting, a rifle range and knife throwing! A team of cadets from the International ALERT Academy, headquartered in Texas, travels to the Father & Son Camp East to teach rappelling and provide a challenging obstacle course.
Cost. There is not a set cost for the camp. Instead, it is by “donation only.” While there are expenses for putting on a camp such as this, we never want cost to keep a father from bringing his son/s. (For those who do want to donate, it is estimated that the camp costs approximately $50 to $60 per person for the weekend.) There is a cost per person for paint ball.
Registration. It’s very important to pre-register so that we know exactly how many campsites to have prepared and how much food to purchase. If you’re an extra nice sort of chap, you might even give us ample notice by signing up early! (Registration is encouraged by early September.)
