Cascades Camp Blog

I remember I was scared. Menacing figures lurked across the dark and seemingly endless lawn. Two friends and I huddled tightly as we lay on the moist grass whispering excitedly. Adrenaline flowed as we most seriously discussed how we might manage to retrieve The Word without being caught by the prowling Romans we had been warned about. We decided, as I remember, to charge across the grassy field I now know as The West Lawn. Yet maybe what I remember best are the girlish screams that rang from our mouths as we ran for our lives.

My name is Bryan “Mowgli” Putnam and I am now a councilor here at Brightwood/Timber Rock summer camps. Now going into my sophomore year in college I realize just how long ago it was that my friends and I came here for Junior High confirmation camp. Memories of those three days at Cascades in the fall of seventh grade are now mostly gone yet what is amazing is how God has shaped my life and the person I am today on account of Cascades. From this place my church was blessed with an amazing youth pastor (Chris “Rafiki” Maki) who not only built up hundreds of kids during his summer at the Cascades but who also showed God’s love to hundreds more over four years as my home Church’s (Community Covenant in Twisp, Washington) first full time youth pastor.

But it doesn’t end with Chris. God has filled this place to the brim with an entire staff of amazing people. They are a group willing and ready to serve, devoted to building others up in Christ. This is truly what has touched the campers, the guests, and me most this summer and it is the only thing that will last beyond the fading memories of camp. It is not the beauty of Cascades that changes us, not the recreation and fun, and it is not even the seminars or Bible studies that last over time, it is simply the love of God that is poured out to all who enter those large wooden gates.

Working with kids every single day for a summer has taught me this. I have seen my peers, my fellow workers pour out God’s love to the campers and one another since day one and that is what, I find, you can always count on Cascades for. The summer camp is incredible, the setting is amazing, but those serving here, Councilors, O-Team, Kitchen Crew, and SALT’s are what will be remembered, for it is through this staff that God’s love is poured out.