Stand: 2020 Winter Reunion Reflections

Stand: 2020 Winter Reunion Reflections

by Ben Tabone, Brookwoods Director

Over New Year’s, I was blessed to watch 130 staff, campers, LDPs, and SALTs come together, unified under the same mission at the Winter Reunion. Yes, we were faced with inclement weather, (two days of snow!!) but everyone made it safely and we were blessed with a beautiful winter wonderland. We were thankful to have Joe Lehmann, our summer camp pastor, share God’s word with us. Over the course of the weekend, we came together, worshipped our Lord, learned more about Him, and had a lot of fun!

Our first night kicked off with icebreakers and a message from Joe. Joe broke down our theme verse, Romans 5:1-2 “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our LORD Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.” Joe talked about what it means to be “justified” through faith. His key question was: Do you have peace with God? Joe challenged all of us by asking: Whose side are you on? The world’s? Or God’s side? 

Tuesday, we had a lot of fun activities planned. After breakfast, we had morning worship at Deer Run and headed back to cabins for devotions. Following that, we had a cardboard sled building competition where the Lodge was converted into a building area. The sleds were amazingly creative; some were built for speed and others for the largest capacity of people. Later that afternoon, we raced them down Deer Run’s back hill. Check out the reunion video for highlights of the sledding action! 

That afternoon, the kids enjoyed more fun during their free time, including sitting by the fireplace and reconnecting with their camp friends. That night after evening Rally, trivia, and cabin devotions, we reconvened at the Main House for a New Year’s Eve Party! We had hot food made by our awesome Food Service Director (Thanks Jon Cooper!), karaoke in the dining hall, the New Year’s Eve live broadcast in the theatre, and a sock hop and campfire on the back patio. And last but not least, we brought in the new year with fireworks (Thanks Bob!) It was a fun atmosphere, including dancing outside and shouting “Happy New Year!” 

As we wrapped up our time together, Joe encouraged the kids to now go out and STAND on God’s truth and to stand on His promise—Through being justified by faith, we have peace with God. When we have peace with God, we gain access into His grace. We can stand on that! The Winter Reunion was a fun three days for everyone who was there, but more importantly, it brought all of us a little closer under the “unity” of Christ. 

Please join me in praying for all the campers and staff to STAND upon the truth of Christ in 2020! We look forward to seeing you this summer….are you registered? If not, here’s the link!

Blessings, 

Ben Tabone

P.S. A huge note of thanks to our leadership campers (LDP and SALT) for arriving early! They decorated the Upper Lodge and baked and decorated over 400 sugar cookies. The Friday night snack was a hit with the campers, along with the hot cocoa, of course! 

Ben Tabone is the Brookwoods Director. Ben enjoys spending his free time outside (summer or winter!!) and particularly enjoys whitewater kayaking, rock climbing, backcountry skiing, and ice climbing. Ben and his wife Alexa were married last May and they met at Camp Spofford in Keene, NH. ben@christiancamps.net