Rockbridge Alum Springs

ROCKBRIDGE ALUM SPRINGS — 1992

“Jesus answered, ‘Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life’” (John 4:13-14).

Have you ever been really thirsty? (Stop reading and consider a time and place when you experienced this.) In the midst of your thirst, what did water mean to you? If someone had offered you a cup of water, would you have accepted it? Why? What if someone had offered you an inexhaustible supply of water? On July 12, 1852, Stonewall Jackson wrote, “Boarding is 10 dollars per week. This place is more crowded than any other in the mountains, and I have not heard of a single person who is dissatisfied.” Jackson, along with many others, including General Robert E. Lee, was part of the 1850s southern clientele who were enjoying the restorative alum waters at Rockbridge Alum Springs. More than 125 years later, if teenagers were writing home from this same property, they too might be sharing about a satisfying week at camp and, more importantly, an experience with the restorative, living water of Jesus Christ. Yes, in yet another display of His generous portions, God led Young Life to this historic 273-acre property located 12 miles northwest of Lexington, Virginia. The property was purchased in 1992 and eventually helped to boost the East Coast capacity to more than 18,000 campers and staff annually.

Goshen, Virginia

Like teenagers, many adults are prone to base their value and identities on things that fall short — water that simply cannot satisfy. Jesus says, “I will show you a water that will never run out.” In fact, “I am the living water.” Spend some time today considering Jesus’ description of Himself as “living water.” What does this mean to you? Are you choosing to take hold and drink?