“How will we cook over a wet fire? Will they postpone camp due to the weather? Can we get a hotel room?”
If I knew how much I would ultimately love my time in creation and growing closer with those around me, I would have muted each of these desperate calls and texts I received just before Woman Camp with Crossroads Church - one of the most transformative weekends of my life.
To be fair to my anxious friends, though, I am not a camper girl either. For years, my only exposure to sleeping in a tent was on the 18th fairway of a well-manicured golf course as a way to take our kids ‘glamping.’ I like hot showers, electricity to brew coffee, and a warm bed—and I hate snakes and mice.
At the same time, I understood what God was saying to me—to take myself and friends out of the comforts of my home, husband, kids, self-controlled meals, carpools, and household tasks so that I could be still and connect with him.
Had I known how different it’d be from my preconceived notions of camping, I would have prayed more and stressed less about who to invite and what to pack. I would have just opened my hands to God—because he (and others) provided in every area I was worried about.
Next year, I will remind myself of three life-changing revelations and experiences from the weekend so that any desire to bail or be a nervous mess can be put to rest:
1. Letting Others Help You is Good
Think about what makes a great girl’s weekend: Music – check! Ambiance (campfire light provided) – check! Deep conversations – check! Wine – check! Amazing food – check! Wait - amazing food?
Having never camped before, I was expecting trail mix and granola bars mixed with some tree bark. But we have an amazing friend, now nicknamed Fire Girl, who shared her hospitality talents with us. We had individual, made-to-order breakfast omelets with campfire potatoes, sautéed mushrooms over brie on fire toasted baguettes, prosecco, fresh fruit, pineapple upside down donuts, pre-made sandwiches with fruit chutney, fresh apples and cheese. It was incredible.
This experience (along with a grand feast) was the first time someone outside my mom, husband, and grandma provided food to me that nourished my soul. I believe it had a similar effect on the others because barriers quickly slipped away, vulnerable conversations ensued, and deep friendships blossomed. Fire Girl was also able to get our fire started and kept it going throughout the weekend amidst rain, plus assemble each of our various-sized tents.
Looking around, it seemed like every group of women across the camp received help from one place or another. I never knew before camping how important it is to accept someone caring for you and how it puts you in the posture to reciprocate by serving and caring for others.
2. There is Joy in Solitude (Ironically, Together)
Woman Camp was filled with (amongst rope-swinging, slamming punching bags, and enjoying that grand feast) prayer, worship songs, times of solitude, and opportunities to go to the prayer tent. The days flowed like time had stopped—or at least drastically slowed down. For me, it felt as if a massive boulder of exhaustion rolled off me.
Tears flowed down my face as I sat in a lawn chair, reading a surprise handwritten letter from my family. God embraced me tenderly yet completely. There was no doubt God was present. Joy penetrated my heart and soul. I wrote in my journal: “I feel like the most loved and cherished woman right now. God, you prompted me; you led me and these chosen women. I feel so blessed and loved and happy…joyful. Yes, I feel joyful!”
Later in the day, when we discussed solitude time, each woman mentioned similar aspects of God being present. One friend said, “It was certainly the most difficult experience I’ve had, but one I will hold dear for a lifetime.”
I wish I had known ahead of time how God would grab onto each of us so that in the weeks before our departure, I could better calm the anxiety and hesitations of each individual for the weekend away. Yet, the unknowing and the surrender at the moment are part of the beauty of solitude.
I have seen how God meets us in the wilderness, as well as in suburbia. I believe He pines for our time and attention and rewards us with blessings we cannot imagine, including peace that cannot be penetrated. That connection has remained with me even as I have returned to my day-to-day.
3. I Can and Should Embrace My Identity as a Royal Daughter
Part of the difficulty and the necessity of Woman Camp is the stripping down of our comforts and control (remember, I like a warm bed). The scheduled time in solitude with God, however, allows for the release of stresses and pulls of the world so that we may be filled up as the royal daughters that Jesus sees us as (Psalm 45).
Saturday night culminates with a beautiful meal (the grand feast). Under a big white tent, tables are covered with linen tablecloths, candles, and flowers. The wood-fire-cooked meal of fish and chicken, vegetables, bread loaves, hand-whipped butter, and wine are gorgeously displayed. Beautifully written name tags are handed out as we sing worship music and pray. The feast is nicer than some weddings and just as joyful.
I wish I knew how pampered I would feel that night under the tent. We felt like the queenly daughters that God sees us as. So much gratitude was sent to the array of stars smiling down on us. Laughter and dancing continued around our campfires. Women who never prayed aloud shared their hidden fears and praise of God.
Walking Out—But into New Life
Regardless of what you were feeling on your hike in, how terribly you slept, or how badly you desired a warm shower, somehow, that mile or so final walkout is a victorious, triumphal march.
We found ourselves high-fiving other ladies as we passed, sharing stories of baptisms and prayers answered. We sherpa’d some packs for 72 and 82-year-old ladies nicknamed O.N.E. (Old, not elderly). We were part of the camp community and wished we didn’t have to turn our phones back on.
Our Woman Camp experience was like no other, one that God used to knit this tribe of 15 together: He provided camaraderie, closeness, and vulnerability as we disconnected from our fast-paced, over-programmed life to spend time listening to him. Many admit that our camp weekend changed the trajectory of faith.
You can’t know what Woman Camp will be like for you or your future tribe, but I believe God will be present to guide you and show you a side of him that only those outdoors can reveal.
If you are also looking for a life-changing experience, you can join the party here. I’m still not the biggest fan of camping, but I’ll head back to those grounds any day—certainly next year, to be exact.
Disclaimer: This article is 100% human-generated.
