Two weeks ago I attended Camp Well.

Since returning home I have been desperately trying to ink some words to describe my experience in perfect detail. But, the task feels overwhelming, impossible even.

For words are simply too limiting, too small, too weak, too narrow to fully convey that which cannot be measured or weighed by any standard outside of the spiritual.

So, when asked what Camp Well is exactly, I will defer to its very definition found online:

“a 4-day deep rooted faith filled venture for dreamers and doers.”

I have attended and led and been a part of [a lot of] conferences, retreats and women’s gatherings; Camp Well is different, it is special. In an attempt to give you a glimpse into Camp Well, without simply recapping the week, I have expounded upon five areas that stood out to me, making this one of the very best and most beneficial experiences I have ever had.

The Intentionality.

Weeks before our arrival date we were sent a survey asking us for more information about ourselves. We were asked the usual questions concerning contact information, how we heard about Camp Well and our tee-shirt sizes; we were also asked deeper questions regarding our dreams, why we were attending and for specific prayer requests.

They asked. I did not withhold.

The focus and intentionality of the questions allowed the team to get to know, as much as was provided, each woman before she was ever greeted with hugs. Not just faces in the crowd or numbers on a list. We were women with names and stories.

Known. Valued. Accepted.

My heart, my hurts and my dreams felt seen, handled with care. I instantly felt safe, never questioning why I was there. I just belonged.

We all belonged in that place, in that space.

Together.

The Prayer Covering.

It was evident that everything, (every. thing.), was covered in prayer. From our “camp counselors” to the women in our groups, even our roommate assignments were so evidently the product of prayer.

The intersections, commonalities and ways we were able to relate were not coincidence. It seemed that all of us in attendance could relate with one another, empathizing in the differences, connecting through tears shed from the tender places.

Prayer is powerful.

Prayer is what hemmed us in and bound us together. Prayer was so evidently present in the preparation and execution of Camp Well, and it is now the glue that continues to bind us in the wake of our days together.

The Attention to Every Detail.

The bus ride, decorations, beautiful tablescapes. The abundance of gifts. Every detail was thought out and carried through with love and care.

We were at camp; we were also lavishly loved.

And we saw our names over and over–a small detail with major impact.

What’s in a name? Power and identity. Our names, beautifully scrolled, at dinner place settings reiterated the sense of belonging, that we were welcome, our visit anticipated.

A visual reminder of the spiritual truth that everyone has a seat at the table.

The Location.

Lost Valley Ranch has a rich and powerful history. Threatened by the largest forest fire in Colorado history in 2002, Lost Valley miraculously survived. The scorched acres of land now boast with fresh, new life.

We enjoyed hospitality that is truly second to none–friendly staff members, great food, clean rooms and miles of nature to explore by foot or atop the backs of the resident horses.

Mountains seem to demand awe, quiet the spirit and slow the breath. Something happens when we remove ourselves from the busy, intentionally sitting in the remote, choosing to be still and listen.

To soak in the sacred.

When we take the time to notice, it is not hard to link the similarities found in nature to our own spiritual beings. Lost Valley reminds us of that while fire is destructive, it is also refining. Without the burning of the old there would be no room, nor the necessary nutrients to usher in the new.

Through death life is sustained and able to flourish.

Beauty from ashes.

The perfect setting to dream for the first time ever, or perhaps to bravely open up to the possibility of dreaming again.

The Me who Attended.

Expectant without expectations. That was, and continues to be, my prayer. I entered Camp Well simply expectant that the Lord would meet me there.

With a soft heart, hands out and palms up, I went ready and willing to receive. An uncomfortable posture that feels selfish, but in actuality it is the pride of self that prevents me from regularly admitting need and freely receiving.

But in order to receive there must be a release.

Tears. The tears I spilled were mixed with empathy for others, and the remembrance and releasing of my own past hurts. A deep cleanse, a washing.

And there in the midst of all of the tears and laughter, soaking and receiving, I found healing and rediscovered hope for a dream I thought lost.

I am grateful. So very grateful.

Thank you, Camp Well team. Mine is a life that has been deeply impacted, and forever changed.

If you would like more specific details, or if you have any questions, let’s chat.

My Camp Well Testimonial:

I went to Camp Well not knowing what to expect or what I needed. What I experienced was a safe space that offered the gift of allowance. The allowance to just be, to sit and soak, to receive from a quiet and still heart. The allowance to be fully present, to enter into the praises and pains of a room full of women spilling tears from the tender places of healing. What a gift of community, women supporting one another and rejoicing that there is beauty in our pain, strength in our scars, hope everlasting and eternal. Linking arms and digging deep, finding courage to fight for our own dreams and defend the dreams of others. Camp Well was truly deep and wide, beyond and abundant.

photo from: The Well Studio