Blog

One year ago, the Hermit’s Peak Calf Canyon Fire overran our camp. As we reflect on the anniversary of that event, we remember the devastation that occurred in our beloved mountains. I remember the sky dark with smoke, the sun obscured in the middle of the afternoon. I remember the confusion when the first reports of spot fires at the camp came at the 7:00 am cooperators meeting. I remember where I was at 2:07 pm when I received in real time the videos from our doorbell camera that confirmed there were flames right outside our home. I remember when firefighters confirmed that several structures had been lost at camp. I remember how my stomach dropped when a neighbor called and reported that our house had survived, but that ‘everything else is gone’ (thankfully, not an accurate report). In a single 24 hour period, the wildfire made a 15 mile run and grew by 35,000 acres. As the firefighters predicted, it was a day of extreme fire behavior that analysts would write textbooks about.

As I remember, my brain literally stops working, my eyes fill with tears, my throat closes up. I was walking up the creek yesterday, admiring the beautiful wildflowers that are growing so vibrantly, like no other Spring that I can remember. But I can’t get through the walk without stopping, feeling completely disoriented, and letting the tears flow. There is a certain respect in grieving, an honoring that can only be received from a distance, a thickness that pushes others away. Sprinkled as it is with moments of beauty, vibrant life, and community, it is a weight too heavy to hold alone, and yet far too personal to ever fully share.

Over the past year, we’ve done several interviews with news outlets to try to put our story out there to the public. These capture the desperation of our situation, but seldom the moments of support that have helped us survive to this point. They missed the sweet prayers that we shared with a friend on the porch of our temporary evacuation home on the night of April 29th. Reporters missed the hugs we received from the Incident Commander the first day we stepped foot back onto the property on May 12th. They missed my wife and teenagers ‘swinging from the chandelier’ (with music from Sia) the night of November 13th when we finally moved home, together.

Looking back, there is much that we are grateful for. We are grateful for the hard work and dedication of the firefighters who did so much to save our camp and our community, and we continue to hold in our hearts those who lost their homes and belongings. Beyond the challenges and obstacles we faced, we also remember the generosity of strangers and the kindness of our neighbors. Donors stepped forward to help us cover expenses. Disaster workers passed out free household goods and supplies for our pets. A neighboring camp provided us with lodging and meeting space to live and work for 2 months. The camp board approved the purchase of a travel trailer for my family to live in, and friends from church let us set it up on their property so that we could move our family closer to home. Multiple Christian Camps as far away as Wisconsin took up offerings to seed our recovery. Volunteers have helped us pick up the pieces, cleaned cabins, and cut down hazard trees. Fellow staff members have seen me at my worst, and not looked away. And now, one year later, we are excited to promote several upcoming events and projects at El Porvenir Christian Camp.

First, we are thrilled to promote the opportunity to come as a family and experience camp for yourself at our 2023 Family Camps. While our camp season is shortened and our capacity is less than before, there is much to be excited about. The trails are open, the cabins are prepared, and we want you to come enjoy the mountain with your loved ones. You will be the first to begin a new legacy of camper experiences at El Porvenir, laying the ground work for the youth camps of the future by bringing your children to camp this year.

Additionally, we are excited to talk to you about our rebuilding plans. The entire lower camp area including the locations of the old chow hall, prayer field, and shop, and where AB’s house, the bungalows, and John/Paul cabins used to be, will be reimagined. We are planning 4 new cabins that will serve youth, adults, and families well, a new hotel style lodging facility, a new welcome center, a new maintenance complex, and a new development for full time staff homes. It is going to take time and investment, but the long term impact will be so worth it.

Finally, we are also encouraging volunteer groups and donors to keep investing in the camp. Whether it’s helping with grounds and cabin maintenance, assisting with a larger project, or donating funds, there are many ways to get involved and make a difference.

As we remember the Hermit’s Peak Calf Canyon Fire, we are grateful for the support and love that our community has shown us. It has been exceptionally hard, and there is so much left to do. We invite you to remember with us the sobering events of April 29th, 2022. And we also invite you to join us in celebrating the resilience of this ministry and the abundant provision of God, and to create with us a bright future filled with hope and promise.