Starry Skies and Fireflies

Greetings from Lookout Mountain! With camp getting into full swing, an old Alpine Tradition returned this week: Overnights. At some point in each term, each age group takes turns hiking up the Mountain to one of our campsites for an overnight stay. This is a cherished tradition at Alpine because you just can’t beat sleeping under the stars in Mentone. It’s the perfect time to get better acquainted with God’s creation, and a prime opportunity for cabins to bond with each other.

The process begins with preparation. Counselors fill their backpacks with gear to start a fire, water, food, and a large tarp for the boys to sleep on. Meanwhile, the boys spend time gathering their sleeping bag, water bottle, pillow, flashlight, and anything else they deem necessary for the night out. Then, all cabins begin the hike up. This week, the Hunters spent Wednesday night at Hunter Overnight, our most popular destination that features a seasoned fire pit, excellent views of the sunset and night sky, and plenty of room to explore. Trappers split into two groups and spent Thursday and Friday enjoying the same spot.

Upon arrival, the boys set up their sleeping bags and compete to see who can bring the best or most firewood. As you can imagine, the wood pile grows quickly, and a few counselors get to work on the fire (odds are, we usually have a former Eagle Scout or two in the groups). While the cooking fire grows, the boys and their counselors busy themselves investigating the various plants, insects, and trails that surround the area. We talk a lot about the sense of wonder that’ boys have when it comes to nature. That sense is kicked into high gear as they turn over rocks, inspect leaves, and gaze up at mighty oaks and tulip poplars found in the surrounding forest. There truly is nothing like it.

After working up an appetite, the boys are called to lineup to roast hot dogs over the fire. A hot dog cooked on a campfire is better than any 50 cent hotdog from the baseball diamond. Some were willing to go as far as to say it was the best they had ever had. The boys and their counselors always come back raving over the dinner they cooked for themselves. Ms. Gail always sends up plenty of Lays chips and apples to accompany the hot dogs, and for dessert, the boys grab their skewers to toast marshmallows for s’mores. As the sun sets, the boys gather around the fire, ready to hear some stories from the counselors.

For the Hunters, staff read The Lorax by Dr. Seuss. Each took a character and read their lines with a unique voice to make the experience even more theatrical. It captured the boys’ attention and made for excellent post dinner theatre. The group then transitioned into a devotional time. Boys got to soak in the stars and hear the song of the cicadas and crickets while hearing about the God who created it all. Everyone then heads to their sleeping bag and drifts off to sleep.

In the morning, a brilliant sunrise marks the breaking of a new day. Campers and Counselors pack up their belongings and head back to camp to tell the other boys what they have to look forward to when they go on their overnight.

Thanks for reading! Wayne