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A/U RANCHES NEWS – FALL 2018

Mountain Memo

Family Camp is for everyone to come to the A/U Ranches and find healing in action – whether you’re a family of one, a group of friends or a whole clan! This summer, three different families all had momentous healings, all on the same day, and all while “on high.”

Entertaining Angels on the Ropes Course

BY MAR WILLIAMS How do we ask for help? Are we willing to accept it? Do we truly hear God’s messages? As a single mom, I have gotten into the habit of taking care of things myself and never asking for help. For a while that included not completely trusting that God was in charge and was the Father/Mother of my loving little family.

This past summer at Family Camp a beautiful experience changed that thought. My daughter talked me into joining her on a ropes course element called “Stairway to Heaven.” I was delighted to see

• What’s Inside • 2 3 4 6 7

Note from the Ranch Director Taking a Healing Home Pullout Camp Poster Wrangler Reunion & Mini Camp Staff Leadership Awards

my child climb it twice without hesitation. I, however, held a few reservations. Since this is a partner exercise, and unwilling to let my child see me give up, I forged ahead with a wonderful, exuberant woman who joined our group.

Sometimes we can feel we are a burden to others when asking for help instead of appreciating they are answering an angel message. As we began to climb I quickly realized I would have to ask for and accept this woman’s help, and at a particularly rough spot I clearly saw I needed to accept her hand in order to get up to the next step. Instantly I realized that she didn’t see me as a burden but as a partner that was having a great adventure with her.

I will be forever grateful for that realization – that I don’t always have to be in charge. I can let God direct our path and accept his angel messages of help along the way.

Following God to the Top

BY KRISTEN HAFFORD During Family Camp, we participated in the hike up Mt. Elbert. Just above tree line, we split from the group with Ian, an A/U Ranches staffer, to continue at a faster pace.

Around 14,000 feet, though, I struggled to continue and needed to stop frequently. My children, Michaela and Xander, were still eager to reach the top and I didn’t want to hold them back. At the same time, I was afraid of not being (continued on page 2)

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Mountain Memo

Prayer a Priority A Note from Alison Peticolas, Ranch Director I’ve spent many wonderful days on the river as a rafting guide for camp and supporting our rafting program. This summer, one highlight happened on the side of the river before our trip started.

Every day a river guide’s top priority is the safety of their boat family. With the challenge of low water this summer, this task was much more demanding and sometimes resulted in difficult situations. I am so grateful that our river guides are Christian Scientists who consistently turn to God first in their understanding of the river and safety and their role as a guide.

We had an incident on the river when a boat family was in a tough spot requiring prayer, problem-solving, courage and support from the river community. The situation was resolved harmoniously with lots of gratitude shared. I joined the rafters on their next day on the river.

There could easily have been a lot of fear. The river conditions hadn’t change. The situation that presented the challenge the day before would be present again today.

I was blown away by the prayerful focus of the campers and staff as they prepared for the trip.

The inspirational that day wasn’t routine or required.

They knew fear needed to be handled and they were doing the work. They shared ideas from their Lesson study, from the practitioner, from their own prayers building on the Truth and actively eliminating the fear.

They established their day in complete confidence in the safety that comes from God and welcomed the opportunity to demonstrate this.

The result: they started the trip grounded in peace and joy and ended radiant with dominion and freedom. It was awesome to see the rafters making prayer their own and a shining example of the best that camp has to offer.

Alison

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able to protect them – were they keeping up, drinking enough water, stopping to rest?

When I voiced this through tears to my sweet husband Nate, he affirmed I needed to let go and trust God, as the Father-Mother of us all.

Through tears of humility, I began to whisper Hymn 82 “God is working HIS purpose out” (I did not have enough breath to sing). After a couple verses, I was calm and refreshed, no longer fearful, but trusting in God’s Father-Mother Love, and assured Xander and Michaela had everything they needed because “Man is not the offspring of flesh, but of Spirit” (S&H 289:31–32).

Continuing up the mountain, I realized Ian had no trouble keeping pace with them, which to me equated to God’s promise, “he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways” (Ps. 91:11).

Before I knew it, Nate and I joined the kids at the peak, and learned Xander, the littlest of the whole group, had arrived first!

Leaping from Fear to Confidence

BY MARY FIORAVANTI I gained so much spiritual insight and individual growth at Family Camp. There is one activity that remains the highlight of my adventures – the daring Leap of Faith.

When I first arrived at the Leap, intimidation hit me.

Once I began to climb the pine tree I heard a suggestion saying, “You can’t do this.” I immediately counteracted these thoughts and reassured myself, “No, I can do this.

God is protecting me every step of the way.”

By the time I reached the top, I was shaking. Fear and doubt flooded my mind and all I could think about was how I would never jump because I was too afraid. But I decided not to listen to these erroneous thoughts. I reminded myself that God did not create fear, therefore fear has no substance; and I express courage as a reflection of God’s perfection.

I took a deep breath and stood on the platform. Counting down “3, 2, 1…” I jumped, holding nothing back! Missing the bar, the harness instantly caught me, but I celebrated and threw my hands in the air, shouting “Woooo!” on the way down.

I ended up trying the Leap of Faith three more times, until I finally caught it! It was God that got me through every leap. Each time I climbed that tree I was more fearless. Grabbing onto the bar was a demonstration of conquering fear and knowing God’s ever-present action.

Fall 2018

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Taking a Healing Home from Camp

BY MICHAEL HENGER Jon and I walked outside and had a deep and inspiring conversation. I was so grateful he had walked all the way down there for me. After 30 minutes of inspiration, love, God and authentic advice, I was healed and couldn’t hold back the tears! I am so grateful to have all of these opportunities and lessons. I am excited to take them into the real world.

Thank you, A/U Ranches and staff, for everything you have offered and I will be back very soon!

FROM NANCY, MICHAEL’S MOTHER Michael said this year was the best EVER and that he learned so much from the great group of folks at camp.

He was healed of a dislocated shoulder due to a kayaking incident and felt the counselors and the practitioner really heard him and looked him in the eye when they talked with him. They gave him the confidence to heal and to understand healing.

I had an amazing time at camp this year and can’t wait to go back and be a staff member! This was my 6th year going, and I can’t imagine living without Christian Science or the A/U Ranches in my life.

This summer I had some struggles that I’ve never experienced before and ended up talking to Jon, the practitioner, for the first time. I knew he would have great wisdom and advice and boy was I right. I was in kayaking and had never done anything with a white water kayak before. I was very inexperienced and ended up dislocating my shoulder.

Michael’s thoughts regarding Sunday School and the time spent studying the Bible Lesson have completely changed.

He said he no longer watches the clock or is anxious to leave – “The hour flew by!” – and will never give me a hard time again about going because there is so much to learn.

I talked with my program head, and he decided to call Jon, who walked all the way down to the pool to meet me. He came and joined our inspiration for the morning and talked about “sin” and how it refers to archery and missing the bull’s eye. He said “It’s not about missing the bulls eye and being down on yourself about it, the point is to take out another arrow and shoot again.”

When he got back from camp, Michael told the waitress at the restaurant that he had just returned from “Christian Science Camp” and stated it proudly! I am so grateful for each of you and thrilled that my son has gained so much insight into Christian Science.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

CHRNA YERHACR

LMNEIDITU

PUOURND –

LYSALYVEK

EBNTAVUSIA

Now unscramble the circled letters and print your answer below!

answers on back cover

Pu on ll o ne u t p xt o p a s te ge r !

AAGG

View from the top of Mt. Missouri looking into the Upper Pine Creek basin; Mt. Harvard peak in the distance

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Mountain Memo

Mini Camp + Wrangler Reunion = Adult Fun! Too many people still think camp is for kids. Guess what?

It’s not!! We have adults who join us for a week of all the best camp has to offer – just for adults! Adult programs have evolved from Cowboy/Cowgirl Camp, focused just on horseback riding, to Adult Base Camp, where we added road cycling, ropes course, peak climbing, canoeing and more. At the 60th Reunion, this became Adult Mini Camp and since then adults have been having a grand time playing and relaxing in the mountains, expressing God and growing in grace. Adults at Mini Camp choose a horseback riding or road cycling focus or “Pick and Play” in whatever activities speak to them.

This summer we were inspired and hugely blessed to host a Wrangler Reunion, reaching out to anyone who has been a part of the long history of A/U Ranches horseback riding.

The Reunion was a wonderful addition to Mini Camp with over 40 wranglers attending. A great time was had by all riding horses, sharing meals, telling stories (and some tall tales) around the campfire, catching up with old friends and making new ones. It was clear to all who attended Mini Camp and the Wrangler Reunion that the A/U Ranches has made an impact on our lives and everyone is always “Welcome Home.”

Mini Camp Report

Wrangler Reunion Report

By Tracey Fox

By Robbie Boucher

"Mind's infinite ideas run and disport themselves" (S&H 514:7). This was my theme for the most wonderful, fun and safe time I spent at the "playground" known as Mini Camp.

It was difficult leaving everything going on at home to come to the Wrangler Reunion, but soon I was busy with camp activities, remembering why I loved the A/U Ranches back in the ‘70s and how much of my life was shaped by the 13 years I spent there.

I tried many different activities. Some demanded physical strength, however I always felt buoyed by my prayers as well as the camp practitioner, staff and other participants.

Finding strength in Mind, I truly felt relaxed and happy, divinely loved in the atmosphere of Spirit.

Everything ran like clockwork. Thank you for your sterling efforts, making it seem so effortless. Well done! I can hardly wait another year to attend Mini Camp.

Each wrangler activity started with inspiration. It was encouraging to hear the young adults speaking of how special Christian Science was to them. I believe Cap and Marianne’s vision was not just to give us a camp experience but to make us strong Christian Scientists, both at camp and after we left.

Thanks to all who made the reunion so special!

Fall 2018

Staff Leadership Awards The Cap Andrews Award for Moral Leadership recognizes staff who exemplify the Christian Science way of life to campers and fellow staff members, in keeping with the example of John “Cap” Andrews, co-founder and first director of the A/U Ranches.

Matthew Terres

Leyla Ghanem

Mosaic Program Head Matthew radiates joy and Spirit in his love for camp, campers and sharing the mountains. He embraces and uplifts others with his passion. He strives to be his best and has grown into a strong leader through humbly taking feedback and consistently putting God first. He has grown in grace and supported others in their individual journeys.

Mountaineers Staff Leyla leads because of who she is. Her strength of character and spiritual poise are so genuine and integral to who she is, she doesn’t realize that she is standing out as a role model for others. She asks deep spiritual questions in her desire to express God more clearly and love campers more deeply and enriches the whole camp experience.

The Marianne Andrews Award for Selfless Service values staff who graciously serve campers and fellow staff members with the dedication, compassion and good cheer exemplified by Marianne Andrews, co-founder of the A/U Ranches.

Hannah Harn

Spencer Christensen

Rafting Program Head Throughout the summer, Hannah was focused first on how to serve camp and campers. As the Rafting program head, she took the time to thoughtfully prepare for each day, prioritizing the spiritual foundation and leading by example in accomplishing the daily tasks. As a result, all who interacted with her were blessed with harmony, growth and healing.

Challengers Staff Spencer is a quiet and humble presence always aware of what needs to be done at camp and accomplishing it. He is the embodiment of the passage, “...blessed is that man who seeth his brother’s need and supplieth it, seeking his own in another’s good” (S&H 518). He serves from a place of unconditional love and radiates joy in the process.

Working at 100 Elk

Q What have been your highlights?

A The staff bonding, playing games and making s’mores, any time the staff are all working together or hanging out.

New staff member Keith Reed shares his experience working at 100 Elk.

Q How does being 100 Elk staff compare with being

Q How has it been so far?

A It’s been great. I really like the people

A The main difference is the students that come aren’t

because they bring out the best in me.

I feel I can talk to them if something is bothering me or I have a question. The kids here are great. The directors are nice and I get along with them really well.

a camp counselor?

Christian Scientists. But if you give them your time and energy they’ll believe and trust in you just like summer campers. Also the structure is different. During camp you are on all day, every day. At 100 Elk you have time off between schools and at night where you can get ready for the next day.

Learn more about 100 Elk at AURanches.org/100-elk

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A/U Ranches P.O. Box 2036 Buena Vista, CO 81211-2036

Indicia Goes Here

Celebrate the Christ

Enjoy all of Adventure Unlimited’s programs!

AURanches.org 888.543.4849 auinfo@adventureunlimited.org Adventure Unlimited provides recreational adventure, leadership, service, education and community activities that foster spiritual growth and healing in an environment where Christian Science is lived.

– The A/U Ranches is a Division of Adventure Unlimited – All or part of this operation is conducted on public lands under Special Recreation Permits from the Dept. of the Interior’s BLM, Colorado State Parks AHRA, and Dept. of Ag. USFS.

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