TLDR:  Family Camp at Glorieta Adventure Camps impacts not just each member of the family, but the family unit as a whole. It’s a place where families can grow as a team, start family devotionals together, reset for the year ahead, and have intentional conversations. Often called a family new year by returning guests, Family Camp at Glorieta is an experience that brings families closer to the Lord and each other.

Lately, I’ve been sharing about how Family Camp impacts each member of the family. Today, let’s take a look at how Family Camp impacts the family unit as a whole. From adventure activities to intentional conversations, each moment of Family Camp is designed with care. Here are four ways Family Camp makes stronger families:

#1 Take on Challenges Together 

I’ve mentioned this a few times before, but a huge benefit of attending Family Camp is the whole family gets to see each other in a new context. It’s so easy to get caught in our daily roles and routines that we forget how multi-faceted the people we share our lives with are. But at Family Camp, the entire family gets to take a break from the daily demands of work and school to adventure together. This creates moments of surprise and delight throughout the week and ultimately creates an environment where families feel closer to each other and more understood by each other. 

A typical session of Family Camp includes several evening experiences that offer fun challenges the family can take on together. These challenges give families the chance to accomplish something together, let each family member’s strengths shine, and operate as a team. 

These evening experiences, paired with the adventure activities available each day, help families walk away from their time at camp feeling more connected and more confident in their family’s ability to handle other challenges throughout the year. 

#2 Take on Challenges Solo 

Families don’t just adventure together at Family Camp. There are many challenges and adventures throughout the week that each individual can opt in to. 

The youngest kids might make new friends or try a new art project at KidTribe. Older kids might face their fears on Via Ferrata, Zip Drop, or another adventure activity they weren’t quite ready to try last year. Parents might lead family devotionals for the first time, despite being a little nervous. Mom might meet a new friend at a dinner mixer and the teenager might share their thoughts at Bible study. The list goes on. Alongside the team adventures that bring everyone closer together, there are endless opportunities for individual triumphs and experiences at Family Camp. Each of these experiences gives the family member a boost of confidence, something to share with the others, and the knowledge that they are continuing to grow stronger alongside their family. When each individual thrives, the family thrives together. 

#3 Family Devotional Time 

A part of Family Camp at Glorieta a lot of parents love is the family devotional time. Most days of the week, everyone splits into peer groups for worship and Bible study. Then, later in the day, each family comes together to go deeper with the subject material in a devotional.

One or both parents lead these devotional times. For many parents, this is their first experience leading their families in prayer or contemplation. It’s a guided way for them to start practicing what it means to be the spiritual leader of their family. This is a daily habit many families continue when they return back home.

The benefits of family devotional time continue long after the session of Family Camp ends. Now, when a teenager has a question about God or something they need prayer for, they might be more comfortable going to their parents to talk about it. The dad who was hesitant to ask his kids what they’re learning in church or what they think about God might have a newfound bravery. The entire family benefits as they grow closer to the Lord, together.

#4 Family New Year

Family Camp at Glorieta is designed with intention. There are moments built into the schedule throughout each session where families are given a quiet moment together to reflect or share. These moments often lead to insightful or emotional conversations. After a day of outdoor adventure and new experiences together, those tougher or deeper conversations often come a lot easier than they do at home. And even if those big conversations don’t happen during Family Camp, time spent at camp growing together and building trust always pays off. You take that deeper trust and connection home with you. 

 For returning families, Family Camp is a meaningful yearly tradition where family members can track their growth over the years and reset for the months ahead. It’s a very exciting feeling when a camper accomplishes an activity they felt too nervous to try the year before or when you reconnect with your camp friends from another year. In these cases, Family Camp is a time of annual refreshment and resetting priorities that families look forward to all year long.

 Going Deeper at Family Camp

Family Camp at Glorieta Adventure Camps is an experience that sets the foundation for the rest of the year. Every member of the family — from the littlest to the most senior — takes on new challenges in a safe and positive environment. The family grows closer to the Lord together and have a wide range of new experiences they can draw on for the rest of the year. 

I’ll conclude with this quote from Taylor, a long-time Family Camp guest:

“I’m so glad we came to Family Camp. We build deeper friendships with the families in our church. Our family gets to disconnect from technology and our normal rhythms and connect with each other. … Our kids never want to go home and talk all year about coming back. … [It’s] fun and worthwhile for every member of our family. [There are] plenty of opportunities for the parents to grow, relax, and have fun.”