Happy memories made at Twinlow Camp

RATHDRUM – For more than 80 years, campers have been making memories at Twinlow Camp on the shore of Lower Twin Lake in Rathdrum. Today, the little church camp, owned and operated by the Pacific Northwest Conference of the United Methodist Church, has grown into a year-round retreat center. With its updated facilities, handicapped accessibility and a mission to share the beauty of God’s natural world, Twinlow Camp continues to offer the fun and adventure of camping and the promise of relaxation and renewal to new generations of children and adults.

Monday mornings at Twinlow buzz with excitement as dozens of kids arrive for their first day of camp. The excited day campers, ages 5 to 12, arrive eager for a day of water sports, crafts, games, Bible stories and other activities. Eight weeks of day camp have been offered this year, each with a different theme that appeals to most any kid, including circus, superhero challenge, and old West.

According to day camp director, Lindy Bauer, they keep the campers busy. “The kids like to swim most of all. We do team building activities and have fun with action games and crafts – but it’s swimming the kids like best.”

Monday mornings also see the arrival of the residential campers, grades two through 12. These campers stay in the summer cabins for the traditional weeklong, camping experience. These campers learn new skills, make new friends and discover a sense of independence through activities including swimming, boating, crafts, games and music.

“Going to camp is an experience that helps children grow,” said camp director, Brian White, as he stood on the beach counting heads and watching a few day campers play in the water. “It increases their social skills, boosts confidence and gives them self-esteem.”

That is especially true for kids who attend MDA Camp, for children and teens with muscular dystrophy; and Camp Fun in the Sun, for kids with diabetes. These camps, offered in partnership with other organizations, allow kids who feel left out of many activities most of the year, get a chance to camp, just like all the other kids.

“Camp Fun in the Sun, offers them (kids with diabetes) camping fun like canoeing, mountain biking, arts and crafts, swimming, hiking, fishing and games without being singled out,” said camp counselor Labamba (Lisa Randall). “Most of the time these kids feel all alone,” she said. “Here, they are no longer in the minority – it might be the only time all year they are in the majority.”

Twinlow is one of only a few accredited diabetic camps in the state. The staff is well prepared for any medical emergencies and the counselor-to-kid ratio is high because medical staff is required for each child, according to Randall. “Each has a medical chart and the staff follows their individual treatment plans.”

Improvements for the handicapped were put to the test recently when MDA campers arrived for a week of fun. An asphalt trail system made it easy for them to get around in wheelchairs, giving them a freedom they seldom experience outdoors. Kids in wheelchairs roamed the camp and could be seen heading back to their cabins, over to the cafeteria, or down to the water for an hour of two of fun.

Since Twinlow became an event center about 10 years ago, the summer campers join an expanding year-round schedule of events and activities, often leaving White to juggle several groups on the same day. “Sometimes we have three groups here at a time,” he said. “We shift everyone around a little and make it work.” White doesn’t see this as a problem, just a matter of logistics, and is happy to see others use the facility for year-round events like retreats and family reunions.

He is especially excited about family vacation camp coming up Aug. 18 through 24 and hopes others see the value in the camp. “It’s a family camp experience that is safe, and affordable. Families can stay as many nights as they choose in a good Christian environment, and they don’t have to go very far to have fun.” The family camp offers all the usual camp activities: arts and crafts, water activities and campfires at night.

There is still time to make some memories at Twinlow this year. August offers two more weeks of day camp, and junior and senior high water sports camps, among others. Weekends are filling up during the fall for the retreat center, but many of their facilities are still open for family reunions, retreats, or nonprofit gatherings. Check out the Web site at www.twinlowcamp.org, or call 687-1146.