Loading...Orange leaves littered the campground and a tell-tale chill lingered in the air - the atmosphere somewhat different from what youth found during the summer at All Saints Camp and Conference Center on the edge of Rough River Lake near Leitchfield, Ky. Yet the welcoming, friendly camaraderie remained the same when middle and high school students came from across the Diocese of Kentucky for the 2010 Fall Gathering.
Led by camp director Beth Bojarski, pre-teen and teenage boys and girls spent the weekend strengthening their relationship with Christ, enjoying the beauty of nature, and having lots of fun. When I asked the teens why they came to the gathering, answers included "to catch up with friends" and "to get away from the real world."
"I love being at camp – it's like a second home," said Astia Leech, an eighth grader . "I like All Saints and the people in it," said Clayton Palmer, a freshman. Many of the first-timers had been invited to All Saints by friends. Young adult volunteers included Marie Hagan, Abby Watkins, Benjamin Hart, Shehan Jordan and myself.
Our program for the weekend featured activities that ranged from the educational to the downright silly. Games such as Capture The Frisbee furthered the friendly spirit of competition. Favorite activities were Blob Tag, a planned pudding fight, and, environmental skits based on our Christian education program. Groups came up with informational yet entertaining skits that featured the guest appearances of Lady Gaga, Hippies, Evil Corporate Guy, Spock and Tigger.
The theme of the gat
hering was Christians and the environment. On Saturday night, we watched the uber-blockbuster Avatar. The film emphasizes the importance of working together with a humanoid species (yes they are known as the blue people) and protecting the world around us. Then on Sunday morning, the Rev. Ben Maas gave a rousing sermon in the outdoor chapel concerning our role as Christians and stewards of the land. "We learned it is our Christian duty to guard and protect the environment," said Allison Caudill, of St. Andrews. "The Bible tells us to take care of the environment more than I thought it did," said Clay Bonin, an eighth grader.
Our group had our first encounter with the diocese's new bishop, the Rt. Rev. Terry White. I am pleased to report that his 
quiet enthusiasm for the youth program was contagious. Among his messages, he told the youth that it is his wish that everyone realize that Jesus loves them unconditionally.
We were very excited to welcome a group of new people to All Saints. A total of 31 boys and girls attended. Eleven youth came from St. Andrews, and others came from St. Matthews, St. Marks, St. James, Calvary, Southeast Christian and Shively Baptist churches, all of Louisville. Several youth attend Christ Episcopal in Bowling Green, as well as Grace Episcopal in Hopkinsville, Holy Trinity in Brandenburg and Christ Episcopal in Elizabethtown.
We hope to have even more youth join us for the spring gathering, and for summer camp in 2011. The magic of All Saints ensnared a young girl with a sun allergy over a decade ago, where for the first time she felt welcome among peers her own age. If this environment sounds like a place for you or for your child, please do not hesitate to sign up. An experience at All Saints will change your life, as it did mine.
More photos may be found by clicking on the photos or here.
[Editor's note: Meghan Nolan, the author of this article, is an avid writer and an education major at the University of Louisville. Meggie served this summer on the summer camp staff at All Saints as she has in previous years.]
