"Q" is for Quaker Haven Camp . . .

"And Ruth the Moabitess said unto Naomi,

Let me now go to the field,

and glean ears of corn after him

In whose sight I shall find grace.

And she said unto her, Go, my daughter."

Ruth 2:2  KJV 



A view of camp from the Pontoon Boat

"Q" is for Quaker Haven Camp . . . well of course it is. OK, maybe not so obvious to all, especially those of you who:

1. Don't live in Indiana, Illinois, Michigan or Ohio;
2. Aren't a part of Western Yearly Meeting, Indiana Yearly Meeting or the New Association of Friends;
3. Aren't Friends/Quakers;
4. Aren't from the United States; OR
5. Haven't been there!

All camp picnic

Quaker Haven Camp is located in Syracuse, Indiana, approximately 160 miles northeast of where I live or somewhere between a 3-4 hour drive one-way, depending on the time of day, day of the week, traffic . . . and detours.

 

Quaker Haven Camp has a lot to offer to Friends and non-Friends alike. Quaker Haven Camp is open year round and offers a variety of programing, accommodations and such. Hummmm, where to start??? Well, to name just a few, there's . . .

• Summer youth camps - for grades K-12;
• Family Camp;
• Bring your own tents or camper and campout in the nicely wooded camping area;
• Quilting Retreats - Spring & Fall;
• Scrapbooking Retreats - Spring & Fall;
• Father/Son Fishing Retreat;
• Pastors Retreat;
• 5-K Sap Run . . . along with fresh QHC maple syrup & pancakes; AND
• USFW (United Society of Friends Women) Fall Retreat - bringing together Western & Indiana USFW's.

  

  Camp Talent Show

And then there are things to see and places to go - to hang-out, to relax, to play and to worship, like . . .

 

• The Meetinghouse/Chapel - for worship, singing and sharing;
• The Lodge - Camp Offices, dinning room, Camp Store, Canteen, crafts and the game room;
• Dewart Lake - for swimming, boating, fishing, and the amazing sunsets . . .;
• The Vesper Deck - to meditate, watch what's going on down by the lake and view those amazing sunsets;
• 

  

  Popcorn Pop

  The Gaga Ball pit . . . where you can play or watch - be prepared to get dusty;
• The tennis courts and basketball court;
• Hiking . . . lots of hiking (or some may call it simply walking!);
• Rock wall & Zip line - for those that can climb and fly . . .;
• The Quack (aka Quaker Activity Center) - for meetings, gatherings and playing games (you know - like 4-way Kickball and Dodge Ball with 150 or so of your closest & dearest Friends - with really loud music playing;
• The field – for playing all sorts of games; AND
• Campfires - with singing, wild & crazy stories, skits and popcorn pops!

Water balloon toss

One of the highlights of my summer is the week I spend up at Quaker Haven Camp, as a Counselor. I go up for "Adventure Camp" - the incoming 5th & 6th grade age level. I’ve been privileged to serve as a Counselor up at Quaker Haven five of the last six years. I really enjoy this week up at camp, spending time with the youth and helping them to grow stronger in their faith - one of those 'ministries' that I do. Only wish we lived a lot closer, so I could come more often - to enjoy the beauty, quiet peacefulness, sights, sounds and smells . . .

 

Flour Power game

All four of my children have also spent time up at Quaker Haven Camp as campers. My two sons have also been up here with their High School Cross Country coach during the summers for 'camp.' Both of my daughters have  also served as CIT's ('Counselor In Training'). So, we all have great memories up here at Quaker Haven.



USFW women
on the Vesper Deck

The last four years or so I have  also enjoyed going up to Quaker Haven in early September, for the USFW Fall Retreat, which includes the women from both Western and Indiana USFW's. The devotions, conversations, time of sharing our gifts & talents with each other, Tuesday morning prayer walks and of course the food! This year's retreat will be our 43rd Annual Retreat, with the theme of "Here I Am, Lord." Mary Lord will be our speaker and workshop leader - the flier past out Saturday night says her topic is 'Did you Call? . . . a workshop on Spiritual Discernment.' And there's a 'talent time' . . . and I've already been planning to take my ukulele up with me to the retreat to play. Aside from Mary's devotions and spending time with Friends I'm looking forward to a slice of Sugar Cream pie! I filled out my registration form and turned it in already! And I've now had a couple of requests to make another Chocolate Ginger Cake . . .

 

So, a visit up to Quaker Haven Camp is a time for both corporate and personal spiritual renewal. A time to spend in and among nature . . . to be blessed and be thankful for all that God has created for us.

 

For more information, or to check out dates for upcoming events and costs to visit Quaker Haven Camp - check out their website: http://quakerhaven.com





Sunset over the lake . . .
Do you see what I see?



~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

So here's another "Q" recipe for you . . . Quick Plain Waffles, and no, I didn't add the 'Quick' to this to make it fit, that's what my mom called it. And it's fitting for this blog post, as we've sometimes had waffles for breakfast up at Quaker Haven . . . and they're 'quick' cause all we have to do is walk up to the line and serve ourselves! LOL! This recipe also makes some awesome pancakes!

 

Quick Plain Waffles

(makes 6-4 section waffles)

4 large eggs

2 ½ cups milk

¾ cup oil

3 ½ cups all-purpose flour, sifted

6 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

Preheat waffle baker to medium-high.
Place eggs, milk and oil in large mixing bowl. Beat at medium speed until blended. Sift flour, baking powder and salt together, and add to first mixture. Beat about 1 minute.

 
Using 7/8 cup batter, spread evenly over grids.

 
Bake until light goes out.