Leah O’Meara attended Kahdalea as a camper when she was in high school. She now brings her family to Kahdalea each summer for Family Camp and gets to share with them the joy and beauty of welcoming adventure. In this blog, Leah shares her family’s personal experience from their time at Kahdalea and why they keep coming back.
Three years in a row, the O’Meara party of 5 has taken on family camp! We have met some amazing people, the kids have learned quite a bit of independence in a safe place, and we all have gained new skills while getting off the grid. It is the one place we go that is full of honest and true family bonding time that you just don’t get in the world today!
Camp is kind enough to give each family their own two-bedroom cabin with private toilets and a number of bunk beds. There is plenty of room to make everyone happy and the kids love the fact that they can choose top or bottom bunk. Every year they each build a semi-cocoon with extra sheets and flashlights for reading/journaling at night! The shower houses are clean and separated by walls and doors. This provides a cool camp experience but still maintains privacy.
Once you get moved in on opening day, we all head down to the dining hall for dinner, followed by campfire songs and s’mores at the campfire ring to start off the weekend. Food is served family style and they make sure to serve family favorites most everyone can enjoy: good, hearty home-cooking style! As we wait for meals to begin, the kids often play ping pong or other games led by counselors on the dining hall porch. The kids quickly make new friends each year and/or catch up with friends from last year! After each meal the counselors announce the different trips and activities that are being offered that day—whether in camp or out of camp! A few trips my family enjoyed the most this past Family Camp were rock climbing at Cove Creek, hiking, going down Sliding Rock! The water was cold but the thrill of going down a completely smooth, all-natural waterfall in the Pisgah National Forest was too much fun to miss—even as an adult. I highly recommend it! The post-slide ice cream at Dolly’s is always a nice treat after too!
This year, with my youngest turning 8, we went on a full family hike up to Black Balsam Bald—twice actually! We opted for the early morning sunrise hike the counselors were offering. It was incredibly satisfying for the kids to get up early and do something totally new and different. We picked berries off of the trail side bushes for a snack as we hiked, before heading back to camp for breakfast. Upon arrival back to camp, we were welcomed with hot cocoa and a warm fire waiting for us in the dining hall!
Another wonderful memory from my trip is that my oldest is 11 and was looking to get adventurous.. so while I was nervous if he could handle it, I said yes to an advanced hike. We had an amazing time and he grew A TON in his confidence. There was a cliff jump into the river and a natural river slide… we did them both together! It made for some unforgettable memories and mother-son time I just wouldn’t get ANYWHERE in the world we live in at home.
We love spending time in camp, too. Everything is walkable so I can have kids split between climbing, archery, and art, for example. Counselors are all around to help guide activities, teach us new skills, and add to the fun! The riflery range was a favorite among my kids this past summer. Over just a few visits up at the range, my son excelled at target shooting and I felt at ease knowing he was being taught and supervised safely by the CKC counselors. Canoeing and paddle boarding in the camp lake, as well as arts/crafts, are our other family favorites. (There is an ENTIRE room dedicated to arts & crafts. We have glazed mugs and bowls that we painted from each year). Afternoons at the lake are my personal favorite. We could play as a family there with the new water trampoline and paddle boards, or cheering each other on while jumping off the high dive…there’s opportunities for moms and dads to grow too!
This most recent Family Camp was our 3rd visit to Kahdalea, and we decided to let the kids have some afternoon independence. Our son wanted to go climbing on his own with the counselors and our girls wanted to keep beading bracelets with the counselors in arts & crafts. And it was too beautiful outside to sit in the art room…so my husband and I opted for an adult mountain biking trip around camp! Not for the faint of heart, and I am not a biker by any means! But it was fun to push myself and spend quality time with my husband learning something new!
I could go on and on about how much family camp has meant to our family over the years. 2 of my 3 children will be attending this camp this summer as two-week campers. (I just have to pray the Trufants will let me back in some day to “work” at camp!) It truly is a place where kids (and adults) can really be kids. In a world that is full of unknowns and chaos, Kahdalea is a great place to get away and be reminded of what is most important in this world. Having been a camper when I was in high school and now getting to bring my family I can truly say that is a safe place to learn who you are and become your authentic self. As a place with steadfast Christian morals at its core and foundation, Kahdalea is the perfect place for a sweet, refreshing reset with family.