February 1st

Camp Valaqua Celebration Forest

At the beginning of Covid I stumbled across a Podcast entitled “Thin Places Travel Podcast” which explored places where the veil between this world and the eternal world is thin. I had never used that language but could immediately think of places I’ve been which have felt particularly special, places which cause me to slow down, listen, breath, and be. During the past couple of years more and more people have turned  (or returned) to natural places where they can breathe, be together with others, and experience something beyond the normal stuff of life. I have heard from many people over the years who would identify Camp Valaqua as this sort of place.
 
For the past year or so a conversation has been taking place about creating a place at Camp Valaqua which would be available anytime to anyone wishing to spend time in this special place.
 
The concept of a “Celebration Forest” which would hold possibility for memorial benches, a labyrinth containing commemorative stones, and a fully accessible boardwalk is being imagined. An area has been identified and the trail for the boardwalk has been tentatively marked.
 
The objective is to create a place available and accessible to anyone, at any time. This began with what was called a “dreaming group” who met at the camp and walked around potential areas. The southeast corner of camp property seems most suited to this concept. At this point a pathway of about 1000 feet with access from the southeast corner of camp property seems doable.
 
LIke most ideas, there is a big step between dreaming and doing!  In this case, it involves clearing the pathway, and the actual construction of a boardwalk.  We are considering the possibility of using lumber harvested from Camp property - but that is yet to be determined. The sale of commemorative benches and commemorative stone/bricks will provide some revenue to cover costs. 
 
One of the people in the dreaming group talked about the importance of having a “come to me” place at camp - a place for remembering, meditating, praying, listening, and being.
 
Standing in the quiet stillness of the forest, imagining this possibility has been inspiring. If you would like to be part of this project please contact me at dgheidebrecht@gmail.com.
 
This project will definitely require more than a “Menno Minute” to complete but with many Menno hands it will be possible and even fun! Come join us!