A camping trip to Blue Bronna; finding God among the Hills

Below are the notes written by Kelly McGregor, a Community Living Facilitator and the staff who attended the Blue Bronna camp with 6 Permanent supportive housing residents, 1 shelter resident and an H4H resident.

Blue Bronna Camping Trip

This is an account of the incredible events that happened on our wonderful camping trip. On our way to the Blue Bronna we made our way over rocky bumpy roads to the top of a steep hill where we were graced with an incredible view. Stacey stated “wow this is God’s country.” We even got to make our way through a herd of sheep! We arrived to smiling faces and a warm lunch of soup and quesadillas. They had already set up canvas tents for us to stay in with wood heaters in them. After lunch we got to go on our first horseback ride. Everyone was excited but a few decided to stay back and get some sleep as injuries prevented them from coming. The leader, Greg, taught us how to saddle and helped us get the horses ready. Cassie decided at the last minute that she was too scared to get on. Stacey, Tayfun, Dougie, and Ian all encouraged her that she could do it. Brittany another leader told Cassie that she would lead her horse the whole way so that she didn’t have to worry about directing her horse. Cassie after a few fearful tears agreed to go on the horse. Everyone congratulated her and told her over and over again all evening how brave she was. Cassie said she was really happy with herself for trying it and she said she really liked it and really like her horse. The horses name was “Roxy” and Cassie thought that was really cool because her favourite clothing brand- which she was wearing was called Roxy too. Ian, Stacey and Dougie were beaming the whole time as they were naturals on the horses.

We went back to camp to a warm fire and to dinner. Ian became the resident dishwasher for the rest of the trip as he liked helping and talking with the staff that did dishes with him. After dinner we had campfire songs, which were mostly old hymns. No one knew the songs at first but they listened anyway and by the end of the trip they had picked up on the tune of some songs and sang along. They even started requesting songs. After singing I (Kelly) did a short devotional on the peace of God. After that we sat around the campfire and hung out. Dougie, Tayfun, Stacey, and I stayed up until 1:30am talking about God. They were full of questions and I got to pray for Stacey and his family. Tayfun also was able to talk about something he has been keeping inside for 7 years. God graced us with his peace and freedom that night around the campfire.

The next morning we ate breakfast and then did some quite time devotionals. Ian picked up a Bible and every day after that he was reading it and asking questions. After that Greg started to teach them how to use the Lasso. Johnny and Susan had a great time talking about Susan’s childhood on the farm and they played with the two kittens and the dog named Chance as often as they could. Then we went for a day ride and a few of them stayed back and got some well needed peace and quiet.  The view at the end of the day ride was incredible and we hung out there for about an hour taking in the view, eating lunch and some of us napped. One highlight of the day ride, which Dougie and Ian will be glad to tell you about, is that I got close lined by a branch and fell backwards off of the horse. It was very funny and we all laughed and laughed! When we got back dinner was ready for us. Everyone kept talking about how great the food was and how it was nice to sit outside and eat by the fire. After dinner Greg started to chop would and everyone began to pitch in; Stacey chopped would, Ian organized and collected as did Jonny and Dougie, even I split a few. No one had to ask for help the community event of log chopping just spontaneously came together. We repeated the events of the evening before with songs and a short devotional.

The next morning I got up to take Cassie to meet Kristy and Ashley to take Cassie to court. We got to pray for Cassie that this step in her life would lead to an increase in freedom and peace and asked that the Justice of God would be poured out. Cassie stated that she wanted to start attending the Bible studies in housing as did Stacey. That day some of us went on a day hike. We had to cross the river and Stacey ran after Ian’s shoe which floated down the river after Ian fell. Johnny and Stacey helped Tayfun cross the river so everyone got over safe- not dry, but safe. At the top of the hike Ian and Johnny helped the staff make a fire and we cooked sausage and talked. When we got back we had an impromptu Bible discussion with Ian.

While we went on the hike Terence stayed back and helped Greg make a rope bridge which we all played on once we got back. Dougie had a great time trying to knock us all off and get us wet. Dougie took some great photos. He said his favourite was of him looking through the binoculars at the camera; his joke for the rest of the trip was “where’d you go?!”  The last day we slowly packed up and Stacey and Ian and I got to go bareback riding twice! While we were riding Susan, Jonny, and Terence got to do some archery. Then we loaded everything into the van in the rain and hail and took some final pictures. Several of them suggested (jokingly) if we could slash the tires so we could stay longer. Dougie and Stacey wanted to be “accidentally” left behind. Stacey got a pamphlet of other trips and said that he wanted to take his some out to the father/son trip before his son has to go back to school. Ian said that he would fly back to Calgary in order to come out to the trip next year, he said the trip changed his life. On the way back we passed this long fence where there were ball caps on every fence post. Dougie asked if we could pull over so that he could donate his hat to the fence. We did. Everyone said that they had a great time on the trip and that they look forward to next year.

Each person came into his/her own on the trip taking on certain roles. Ian became the dishwasher. Dougie got up and made coffee and started the fire each morning, Jonny became a true gentleman offering to get Susan beverages and take her dishes away. We called Susan John Dear all weekend because she loves John Deer stuff and also because she was Jonny’s dear! Together they became companions to the pets. Tayfun became the local musician who serenaded us during meals or quiet times with his guitar. Stacey was the main wood chopper. Cassie became the brave horse rider, who loved to chat and hated bugs. Terence became the local artist showing everyone his beadwork and jewelry that he made, and the construction worker helping build the rope bridge.

We were all so grateful that we got to go and that we have the opportunity to go again next year. Praise God for all that He did do and all that he will continue to do!