I love camp. It’s where I found spiritual nurture, physical challenge and a love for God’s creation when I was a child. I even met my husband there when we were teeangers. So it only makes sense that my children started attending a Presbyterian Church camp when they were little, just like I did. This summer, the two older ones are on staff at Camp Kintail and the two younger ones get up there every chance they get. And no wonder: Kintail is amazing. Especially the garden!

The wilderness camp I grew up with had lots of great programs (does catching frogs count as a program?) but never anything like the chance to grow carrots. Since Camp Kintail’s co-directors grew up in farming communities, they know they know the importance of growing food. Now, what started out as just a few rows of vegetables has blossomed into a round herb wheel,  huge swaths of garden beds, a garden shed, a composting system and even a chicken coop. It seems to expand a little (or a lot) every year.

In my years at camp I served as a canoe tripper, counsellor, and even a cook. But if I had the privilege of being camp staff again (oh, wouldn’t that be nice!) I would want the job held by a young man whose camp name is Escarpment–this year he’s the Camp Garden Director. Since the spring, he has been planning, planting, tending, weeding and harvesting a huge variety of produce including tomatoes, kale, peppers, lettuce, beets, potatoes, onions, beans, and peas. Everything goes to the kitchen where it is prepared and shared as a regular part of the camp menu. One of the directors told me that he was amazed at the beautiful bowls of fresh salad they serve every single day.

But that’s not the best part. What I love most is that gardening has become a regular part of the program for everyone who goes to camp in spring, summer and fall. School groups, churches on retreats, international visitors and the lucky ones at camp in July and August all get to spend time in the garden. They see first hand how food grows and they learn how to tend it. Then they eat their hard work!

There is no doubt that camp is fun, but it is not frivolous. Camps like Kintail teach all kinds of people how to live in community, and how important it is to respect the needs and comfort of others. It offers a level of spiritual depth and intimacy that is rare at home or even at church. It lets campers and staff live in close proximity to creation where they encounter the awe-inspiring beauty of stars and sunsets. It shapes them into compassionate, thoughtful people. When they leave camp, they go out to make our world a better place.

I had never thought of it before, but a camp garden makes perfect sense. It draws a clear line between care for the earth and food on the table. It creates an opportunity to participate in feeding one another. It illustrates all the good that comes from working together. It has a unique set of lessons and experiences to offer in spring, summer and fall.

I know that there are all kinds of great summer camps out there. But Kintail is better: it has a garden!