A Special Week at HR Camp aka Wyoming Wilderness Camp

On Sunday afternoon, 24 children arrived at HR Camp. And like most weeks the staff was excited to be hosting a new group. The cabins had been cleaned, food had been bought and the staff was briefed on this week’s campers. These campers are from Casper and Douglas and represent a different type of camper. These campers are attending HR Camp’s first ever Angels Camp.

Many of the campers come from homeless families while others are in the foster care system. Their family broken up due to a parent being sentenced to prison, others in foster care due to neglect and others are separated from their parents as their parents try to overcome various addictions. And thanks to a grant from the Natrona County School system and the continued support of The Foundation of the Episcopal Diocese of Wyoming, all of them are experiencing the community of HR camp for the first time.

The counselors are focused on providing these campers with the experience many of us have had: sharing in the beauty of the grounds, the self esteem one earns by completing the ropes course and the friendships and bonds that form between strangers after a week. When you watch the staff and the camp’s director, Pat Walsh, interact with the kids you sense the passion they have for what they are doing. There’s a smile in their voice and a sense of grace. Even after one night, everyone knows that this will be a different week.

Many of the children lack structure and struggle with self esteem. For most, this is their first time in an environment that is nurturing 24/7. Many have spent their summer at home playing video games and watching television. And now they are dealing with the change of being outside. Away from tv, away from their games and away from their worries.

Each day is planned for the camper. The mornings are spent on the ropes course or stewardship while afternoons are dedicated to rock climbing, hiking or mountain bike riding. Free time is available after lunch and the campers are very excited about playing volleyball and swimming. Over lunch, they excitedly tell me how good the food is, about life around the campfire and the bull snake they saw earlier in the day.

As Pat and I visited, I asked him what kind of impact this week may have on the campers. He shared that he hoped it would teach them self-confidence, a respect for nature and the ability to work as a team. Equally important is the effect on the staff. While it may take time to see how this affects the camp’s staff, Pat is hopeful that it opens their eyes to the world and how the counselors and staff can make a difference in a person’s life.

While this week’s camp is secular by design, the lessons we are called to share: hope, acceptance and letting others know they belong is more visible than ever.

Tristan