The Joy of the Gravel Road

Rachel Jason

I was recently sent a descriptive essay with Camp Li-Lo-Li as its focus! The author is a young lady named Rachel Jason who has been both a camper and a counselor here at camp. Please take some time to enjoy her essay below!

The Joy of the Gravel Road

By

Rachel Jason

When you feel the tires below you shift from paved to gravel road, your excitement will build up even more because you’re almost there! The gravel will give its applause as it crunches underneath your car’s weight. You’ll cross the little bridge and then- there it is! Your eyes will finally see what they’ve been waiting for: the rustic-looking Camp Li Lo Li sign that might as well say “Welcome Home!” on it. As the road continues, the rest of the camp will unfold before you.

Driving past the corral, your attention will be pulled towards the stomping and whinnying horses on the side, then will jump back to the road where your long journey will come to a long-awaited end. You’ll start to hear shouts and laughter from some happy campers up ahead that will make you smile. After parking up by the Lodge, you’ll finally be able to unlock your prison and open the car doors, and stretch a little too.

 

On the Lodge porch, the colourful flowers in their hanging pots and the hummingbirds that hover nearby will catch your eye very quickly. These little hummingbirds at first glance almost look like magical fairies from the land of Narnia- after all, this camp is like a whole other world! You’ll see people all around you- familiar faces or completely new ones and they’ll greet you warmly, maybe even with some great big hugs! And if you peek inside the Lodge, you’ll see the huge space where you’ll be sharing some delicious meals with the rest of the campers. You’ll probably imagine the taste of that yummy pizza and the red Kool Aid-like drink that we all love.

 

Looking over the valley spread out in front of you from on the porch, you’ll notice the big hill that goes down to the main road as well as the store building and pool. When your eyes follow back down the main road, you’ll see the archery range and, beside that, a random bright red caboose that is set on railroad ties that campers love to have sleepouts in. If you choose to go to the store to buy a snack after the long trip there, you’ll walk, run, or roll down the big hill, smiling at the sun’s warm rays that make your skin glow and the refreshing summer breeze that ruffles through your hair.

 

Your first step into the store will leave you speechless as a wave of delicious smells hits you- the most prominent smell being the hot buttery popcorn being popped and also the scents of slushies and- is that chocolate? The assortment of candy and food that is there will amaze you and you probably won’t be able to decide what you want until after a couple of minutes! Maybe you’ll decide to get the newly popular gelato- a flavour slushie of your choice with sweet vanilla ice cream on top. The chilly treat will cool you down from the heat outside for sure! You’ll hear some splashing from the man-made lake and probably will want to investigate as you head to the cabin area.

When you pass by the waterfront to unload your belongings into your assigned cabin, you’ll definitely notice the variety of boats that decorate the shore- canoes, kayaks, paddle boats and even large rafts. All of the occupants of these vessels love going under the quaint wooden bridge and around the small island that the bridge leads to. On the island is a gazebo, which is a nice and peaceful place to sit with a group of friends in the shade and relax. To add to the fun, there’s a little trolley that you can run and fly over the water to the other side on that you’ll probably want to try.

Now the gravel road once more will take you on a journey- this time, heading back to the cabin areas. Although these cabins are in the woods, there are clearings all around that let the sunshine beam in. When you start unloading the vehicle and enter the cabins, the cleanliness will impress you- no mice droppings or spider webs in sight. With bunk beds on every wall, there are many places to choose from to make your little nook there for your stay. The smell of white pine will flood your senses and you’ll end up enjoying the fresh rustic feeling of all the camp buildings.

 

You’ll love going to chapel, hearing God’s Word spoken and sweet music filling the whole room (and your heart) with praise. If you’re as enthusiastic about skits as I am, you’ll enjoy the hilariously improvised plays that are all based on what the Bible says. And no one can forget: Choose the Right Door! This is a classic Camp Li Lo Li “game show” type of activity and if you’re the first one to stand up and answer the question correctly, you will get to choose a door! The prizes seem to be limitless, but beware of the surprises! After a pie in the face or a water balloon at camp, you’ll never be the same!

You will also see God’s wonders at night that are amazing to experience. At one point during the week, you’ll have to get out your bug spray and your flashlight and then you’ll join the others for a great time at the bonfire. As the fire crackles and sparks fly, the campers who are led to share will give their testimonies and you’ll be blessed by hearing their stories of salvation through the blood of Jesus. The smoky air will smell so nice and crisp and you probably won’t be able to get it out of your clothes until you get home! After the bonfire is over, you’ll walk back with your cabin to have your own campfire and reflection on what was said during the message and testimony time. Along with that, you can look forward to a gooey warm s’more- and if you have the delight of having Reese’s peanut butter chocolate included in it, you will never want to go back to eating that regular s’more. If you look up, the bright stars and constellations will take your breath away as you’ll realize how much the electric lights around you at home have you missing out on this radiant and marvelous view.

There are so many other activities that you will grow to love at Li Lo Li such as the ropes course, rifle range, Fort Seneca, climbing tower, sports, zip lines and so on. But so much more so, the relationships that you’ve just made and the ones that you’ve enjoyed for a long time with friends and family alike and the eternal relationship that we are so privileged to have with God will make you very thankful. I’ve described camp to you, but no one’s words could ever accurately begin to describe the love of God for us all that knits our hearts together at camp and bonds us through the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for us.