#evergreentothecoast

Something that is getting to be a tradition for us at Camp Evergreen is our annual trip to Vancouver Island that we do with German Volunteers. Something different for this year...we added a Kiwi! No, not the fruit...Emily, our staff from New Zealand.

Two Totems are best!

This trip is a way that we can say thank you for volunteering for the year. It was a bit of a whirlwind trip as we left the day before Good Friday and returned late, late the day after Easter Monday. It is always very fun to show these young Internationals the beauty of Western Canada. It's also a good reminder to me not to become blind to what makes our piece of Creation so unique and special.

From the subtle, yet significant, differences in the mountain ranges to the stark differences in landscape on the Island. Giant trees and trees that grow out of dead stumps to everything green that grows on, well, everything in coastal BC.

After a full day of driving, our first stop is Vancouver. Granville Island and Stanley Park take up most of our day. From seeing all of the artisan markets on Granville, musicians, and even a pole carver on Granville we then made our way to Stanley Park (with a quick stop at Olympic Plaza.

This might be one of my favourite pictures of Julian

Waiting for the ferry to depart Horseshoe Bay

It was never boring with these six. I barely had a moment when I wasn't trying to capture their antics on the camera. But the love and friendship that has formed between these six is very, very evident. Each night at supper one of them would want to know what everyone's favourite part of the trip was.

Each day, without fail, one of them would say that the community of the seven of us was their favourite part. Which is saying a lot when you consider all of the amazing things we were seeing each day like the old growth forest at Cathedral Grove, Little Qualicum Falls, Victoria, the Hatley Castle, and two nights in Sooke. It's a pretty special group when the community can be a highlight day after day.

A quick stop at the movie/TV famous Hatley Castle

Easter Sunday marked a day where a lot of our group realized it was their first Easter away from home. Sometimes I forget just HOW far each of them are from home. So Emily (far right in this picture) and I planned a surprise Easter Candy (we literally couldn't find a single egg in Sooke) hunt outside of our hotel. It was quick but lots of fun.

Sooke might have been everyone's highlight. The weather couldn't have been more perfect. It hit +22 as we scrambled our way down the Sooke Potholes and then meandered until we found a beautiful beach to lounge on. It was a wonderful afternoon soaking in the rays and just enjoying each other's presence (not to mention swimming in the Pacific...Jogee took the pictures).

Each group of volunteers is different but a word that really defines this trip and this particular group of international staff would really be "community".

Winter Staff 2016-2017

As we welcome our Spring Staff to Evergreen starting tomorrow - I am very excited to see what God has in store for us. This winter staff (not just has been one marked with joy, togetherness, and a strong sense of community. I love watching these young people grow and challenge each other in faith and in life. Spring and Summer are coming - and with it are thousands of guests and campers. I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that these young people are ready for the challenge that stands before them.

Thank you to not just our international staff but also to our Winter Staff for making this such an amazing winter!

Wait...I just have one more thing...I just need to know...I wonder...who did it best?

#francaandsophie #julianandjonas #leoandkate

Peace,
Jogee