by Cheryl Rondeau

Surrounded by citrus groves, beautiful old oak trees, and the sounds of nature—the Lake Aurora Christian Camp & Retreat sits lakeside almost as it did when it first welcomed campers in 1947.

Originally designed to be a youth summer camp in Lake Wales, Florida—Lake Aurora Christian Camp now hosts hundreds of campers of young–and not so young–campers every year. The organization began with 20 acres with dorm style cabins on the lakeside. It now consists of 73 acres and has five brand new cabins hillside to accommodate more happy campers.

Although Christian based concepts are incorporated into the program, you don’t have to be a Christian to attend. The camp offers programs year round including retreats for women, men, teachers, mothers and daughters and fathers with their sons.

My daughter Courtney, now 22, is married and just moved back to the area from Texas. She first attended the youth camp when she was in middle school. Her first year she went alone and quickly made friends, when she returned the following year she included some close friends from our church youth group. She and her friends spent the week talking, laughing, swimming, and challenging themselves on the rope course.

Later that year, I attended the Mother & Daughter Retreat with Courtney.  Since I’m not one for roughing it, staying in the air conditioned cabins with indoor showers and toilets made for a nice way to go “camping.” We had a marvelous time spending time together away from the rest of the family. We spent a lot of our weekend paddling the small boats they provide around the small lake. Learning to play ping pong provided more than a fair share of laughs.  One of the retreat activities was crafting a picture frame together to capture the memory-making weekend.

The “Blob” and “Iceberg” sit in the lake waiting for the children to bounce all over them. If that doesn’t entertain them, there is a 30 foot climbing rock wall, basketball, volleyball, softball, or soccer on the fields. An indoor game room is available for rainy days and crafts projects always add to the fun.

Nighttime is special as the campers march through the wooded trails to find wooden benches surrounding a campfire—the perfect place to sing camp songs, roast marshmallows, and watch the flames light up the starry sky.

My ten year old daughter Michaela now attends the camp during her summer break from school. She’s already looking forward to the fun and new friends she will be meeting this summer.  I’m looking forward to our own special Mother and Daughter Retreat.

Looking back at the homemade picture frame that Courtney and I made reminds me how quickly time passes. Making special memories like those Courtney and Michaela made at Lake Aurora are what childhood is all about. 

For more information:
Lake Aurora Christian Camp & Retreat
www.lakeaurora.org
237 Golden Bough Rd, Lake Wales, FL 33898
(863 )696-1102