The SAIL Pathfinders held an Easter weekend retreat way out near Oatmeal. As usual, it rained, but this time not until we were already packed up and about to leave. The theme of the weekend was to understand more about Easter, about the resurrection and what it means for us. We talked about traditions, about beliefs, and had a discussion on how a seed can be seen as a parable of Christ, dead in the tomb and yet ready to bring forth life. We also had a physical challenge this weekend - to build a bridge. The staff worked on various rope bridges, while the Pathfinders lashed together a bridge over a (not-so-raging) creek. We learned a lot about what not to do - like the risks of tying off a rope bridge to a rotted tree and the weaknesses of certain types of bridge supports - but through creativity and teamwork both the Pathfinders and even the staff accomplished their goals, and we all managed to cross to safety (fire ants notwithstanding). With the burn ban off, we also had the opportunity to cook over the campfire again, something we haven’t had much of a chance to do here in Central Texas over the past few years. Nature also offered us a show, from the daylight-bright rising moon to the calm pastels of the sunrise, from the blossoms of the wildflowers to the scaly reptiles visiting the campsite. And the Birds provided a constant backdrop of song and color. Oh, and did I mention there were horses? Reptile Guests
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The SAIL Pathfinders spent a wonderful weekend out at Bastrop State Park Feb. 15-17, with early spring weather highlighting the rebirth of the area after the 2011 fires. The Senior Unit backpacked along the Scenic Overlook trail, negotiating the path in the dark before setting up for a chilly night. The Junior Unit established their camp on the other side of the grounds, and bedded down. Sabbath morning arrived to the laugh of the pileated woodpecker and the sun spreading through the pines. After a morning hike to listen to the birds, the Junior Unit headed over to the Senior Unit campsite for worship, where we explored the scale of God’s power. In the afternoon, after lunch together, the Junior unit headed off on a five-senses hike, taking pause to listen, watch, smell, touch and taste the world around us, to experience in nature the fingerprints of God’s creative power. In the evening, the Junior Unit practiced no-match fire-starting, which was just the thing for grilling veggie-dogs over the coals. Sunday morning was cooking breakfast over the fire before breaking down camp. The Senior Unit backpacked out and joined up with the Junior Unit for an after-lunch nature hike led by the same park ranger who directed out tree-planting in January. There is a lot of new growth in the park, but it will be decades before Bastrop looks even close to the same. But it is an amazing demonstration of the power of regeneration that God granted the natural world to see the new trees growing, flowers blooming and birds singing in the park.
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