I went to Hurlburt Park and I must admit that I had a mix of feelings
– curious, excited, nervous. Obviously some things are different – the cabins and hall that were home away from home for decades of youth are gone. But it was amazing how much was familiar – the ponderosas reaching for the sky, the carpet of pine cones and lake debris under foot and the iconic willow tree at the head of the point. But what really resonated between what was and what is came from the cascade of laughter, tiny footprints etched in the beach and children running, splashing and connecting with each other. I saw a grandfather hand-in-hand with his granddaughter explore the shoreline together, while a mom introduced an infant to the ripples of the big lake. The decision to sell Camp Hurlburt was heart-wrenching, but as I sat there, captivated by the steady flow of people soaking up the sun, I realized that the Creator is still very present in this place. It wasn’t intended when the decision was made to sell the camp, but in some way, a new form of community outreach has started. I hope as many as possible from Trinity can be at the park opening Aug. 2 to celebrate the special place Hurlburt continues to be.
Richard Rolke