Labor Day 2011 Trip Report

Posted by ascsa on September 30, 2011

Enjoy our slideshow and trip report from Leelanau Outdoor Center!

Labor Day 2011′s life has ended, but the spirit lives on, in what can only be described as a soulful and enriching time. It started on the shore of Lake Michigan with ice breaking activities on a balmy Thursday evening, followed by the weekend’s first bonfire. The fire blazed with stars overhead and a dramatic lighting storm slowly moving in from across the lake.

From Labor Day Weekend 2011

While rain was a regular presence this year, all planned activities were a go, although with a high degree of adventure, particularly for the South Manitou explorers, exploring 8-10 foot waves on a long and memorable ferry ride to the island.

From Labor Day Weekend 2011

There were a diverse range of activities to take advantage of and the Active in ASCSA was well expressed with enthusiastic tennis, ping pong, foosball, and euker players testing their skills throughout the weekend. The camp’s offerings of hiking, dune climbing, biking, ropes course, kayaking, canoeing, climbing wall, and new this year, zip-line, were well taken advantage of as well. Of special note was Nancy Moothart scoring the first official basket on the zipline after an entire season of attempts by both campers and staffers.

From Labor Day Weekend 2011

A movie night was a spontaneous event and Labor Day first. The proposed movie marathon became a single attraction, which featured “Avatar.” Kudos to the camp for putting together the sound and projection system last minute to help make it happen!

Another Labor Day first was the tall ship cruise aboard the Manitou. A strong contingency enjoyed a unique offering of northern Michigan with a two-hour sail on Grand Traverse Bay. The winds were favorable, and while rain threatened, it was smooth sailing all the way. The outing was even joined by a couple of ASCSA alums in the area.

From Labor Day Weekend 2011

Dance was an expanded theme this year with lessons in Contra, line, and swing, and dancing to music ranging from Hawaiian to Techno. Even the atmosphere was enhanced with club lighting via some technical creativity courtesy of Chris Rownd.

From Labor Day Weekend 2011

Ginger Mack’s metaphysical talk/discussion was a definite highlight. Her exploration of our “Putting off the old man and putting on the new” theme was valuable and had personal application to everyone participating.

From Labor Day Weekend 2011

A clear highlight, as always, is the outstanding job the camp staff did of keeping everyone very well fed with a daily menu that went well beyond “camp” kind of expectations.

Of course, all of the outings and activities are so many opportunities to connect, share, and bond with our fellow Christian Scientists. First time ASCSA attendee Gordon Myers summed it up perfectly: ”…the best part by far was the new friendships forged, and the deep discussions shared with new friends. This was definitely a group of thinkers, so the quality of discussion was superb. I’m so glad I attended and I would love to attend another ASCSA event!”

From Labor Day Weekend 2011

Anjuli Graunke from First Church of Christ, Scientist, Oconomowoc shared Gordon’s sentiments and had this to share – “This was my second Labor Day weekend, and like the year before, I was impressed with the amazing people who attended this event. These attendees are absolutely focused on their individual spiritual growth, and are so willing to offer support and share inspiration.” (Read their full report on www.christiansciencewisconsin.com by clicking here)

From Labor Day Weekend 2011

Just prior to Labor Day, the Sleeping Bear Dunes lakeshore was voted the most beautiful place in America. That designation was doubly true at Camp Leelanau and Kohahna with the uplifting atmosphere and motive by all to more deeply express our spiritual natures.

Other gratitude shared on our post-camp follow-up survey:

“Coming back to camp with the new theme this year of putting on the new man was just perfect. It followed on the heels of a summer filled with incredible spiritual growth and reminded me that there is this incredibly special network of people who are there supporting each other as we follow God’s plan. Labor Day, again, pushed me even further and talking and sharing experiences over the past year with people who were there really was inspiring.”
“The supportive atmosphere is great … good times with great spiritually minded friends.”
“Gratitude for all the funny instances over the weekend, remembering the dancing fun, the good food and the optimism of the entire group. It was all good!”
“For many years I have gone to this camp in another camp program, I have always thought the lake was too cold in October. This time with the ASCSA in September I was able to go into the lake and was overjoyed that this long standing limitation was overcome! I felt the desire to swim too. There was freedom!”
“New, wonderful community of friends – everyone so supportive and friendly; made me feel right at home as one of the ‘new kids on the block.’ Like the range of activities, some more adventurous than others. LOVED LOVED the morning lesson reading, church service, hymn sing. Loved living close to nature!”