Robbers Cave in Wilburton, Oklahoma (Grant Turgeon)

Robbers Cave can provide any number of things for Herbert W. Armstrong College students: a much-needed rest from the rigors of college life, a respite from the bustle of our interconnected society, time for reflection on the site’s integral role in the Philadelphia Church of God’s history, appreciation for creation, strong bonds within the college family, an improved relationship with God, or a life-turning point. Never mind the lack of heating, “actual beds,” or pleasant shower conditions, as some might point out.

A loaded convoy of pcg fleet vehicles arrived at Robbers Cave State Park on Thursday afternoon, March 5, after three hours of driving southeast along the Oklahoma plains and through the wooded surroundings of the San Bois Mountains. After we finished unloading kitchen supplies from the giant ice truck, it was time to stake claim to our beds. For the fourth year in a row, I set up camp in the back left corner of the men’s cabin—now known as “The Turgeon Annex” to some. Since we had just completed our midterm exams before the break, I made good use of my bed for the rest of that afternoon.

That night, everyone gathered in the main hall to watch Miracle—possibly the greatest sports movie ever. As the scrappy hockey team of overmatched college players finished off its stunning upset of the dominant Soviet machine at the 1980 Olympics, many of us in the audience raised our arms in patriotic triumph.

Friday was a free day, with no scheduled activities except for a Bible study that night by assistant dean of students Eric Burns, who summarized the new How to Be an Overcomer booklet and encouraged students to study Chapter 4, “The Meaning of Passover,” before Passover. Before the study, some students took a dip in the icy river, hiked to nearby cliffs overlooking one of three lakes in the area, explored the hideout used by outlaws for which the entire park is named, or relaxed and hung around the campsite. Having seen all there is to see in countless Robbers Cave excursions in the past, I chose the last option.

Robbers Cave Sabbaths are legendary. The kitchen volunteers always prepare a brunch feast, but before we can indulge in the array of sweet and savory treats, we have a lively hymn sing and a Key of David viewing. This year, we watched “Germany’s Secret Strategy to Destroy Iran.”

Two senior men, Justin Yocum and Abraham Blondeau, received the rare opportunity to contribute to Church services, with Yocum leading the song service and Blondeau delivering a sermonette about King Josiah obliterating all idols just like we should do spiritually before Passover. Freshman Kieren Underwood played the guitar for special music. My father, Wayne Turgeon—who is serving as dean of students for the college while our usual dean, Evangelist Stephen Flurry, is at the Edstone campus—gave a sermon about wolves preying on God’s flock.

Normally, the Saturday night dance would be the farewell party for almost half the student body as they left to field literature requests at the campus call center early the next morning. But this year, after departing for Robbers Cave a day later than usual due to weather concerns, our campout ended on Monday instead of Sunday. Rather than missing half of the break, the crowd of call center operators got a rare Sunday off. Dancing used to be the priority at the dance, but in recent years, it has taken a backseat to board games and fireside chats.

The Sunday morning sports marathon got canceled because the athletic fields down the road were soaked, so Sunday played out much like Friday. I hunkered down in the Turgeon Annex and spent much of the day reading some of the biblical book of Joshua, “Has America Been Influenced by Communism?” from the March Philadelphia Trumpet, and a few articles from the latest espn The Magazine.

I also memorized a 13-line Rosencrantz speech from Shakespeare’s Hamlet play for my part in Improvisation Night later on, but our group ran out of time and never performed. Improvisation Night was a mix of planned and impromptu skits, highlighted by outrageous German song and dance, quirky houseguests, a presidential debate, and the presentation of a newly filmed, dramatic Robbers Cave video.

Students rose early and packed up camp on Monday morning, leaving the facilities cleaner than we found them. We arrived back on campus early that afternoon, and just like that, the much-anticipated trip was over.

Robbers Cave accomplished all I had hoped for. I came back rested, clear-headed, focused, and excited about God’s way of life. For everyone, more history was made at this special pcg landmark.

‘Robbers Cave’ in Galloway, Scotland (Paris Turgeon)

We got back from ‘Robbers Cave’ Sunday evening. It’s odd calling it that because comparatively, it was nothing like our usual Oklahoma Robbers Cave experience. I could go into detail about how we had heat and actual beds, and that I didn’t have to wear flip-flops in the shower, etc., but that seems unfair. I will just say that it was a different experience—a wonderful, beautiful, mesmerizing experience.

We stayed in some cabins on the coast of Scotland (I’m not even entirely sure where we were [Editor’s note: Galloway, Scotland]). The cabins were a 10-minute walk from the beach. There is something about oceans that seem to go on forever and hills that roll in every direction around you that can make you seem so small. Obviously, we are quite small, but you don’t get the same affect in the flat plains of Oklahoma.

However, the isolation of our campsite reminded me very much of Oklahoma. Wi-Fi internet access was visible but inaccessible, so we searched for entertainment away from the digital pages of the online world.

As soon as we were unpacked, we all went to explore the beach. The tide went out at 2 p.m. and didn’t come back in until about 10:30 p.m., so when we went to the beach, we could run out really far before the ocean even began.

Thursday was the most “Robbers Cave”-like day for me. The girls went horseback riding for two hours in the hills. This was so relaxing and stunning! As an Oklahoma girl, trees are incredibly fascinating to me. I was so enamored by the size of the trees surrounding us (I’m not used to greenery larger than a hefty bush). The landscape there was so peaceful.

That evening everyone went to the beach for a bonfire and sports. Everyone played rugby on the beach. Well, not me. My feet felt like they experienced a mild form of hypothermia the day before when I walked around the beach barefoot. I wasn’t going to play barefoot, and I also didn’t feel like getting my shoes all sandy, so I watched by the fire. Good decision, as I didn’t spend the rest of the night trying to warm my feet by the fire so they could regain feeling.

Unlike Robbers Cave back home, where much of the daytime schedule is open, we spent most of our time together. I went for a hike up the hills along the coast with my aunt (Mrs. Amy Flurry), my cousin Vienna, Mrs. Eyren Macdonald and her daughter Savannah. I wish that pictures could do the scenery justice. It was incredible!

When we got back, we cooked dinner over the fire: foil packets of meat and veggies. Then we made s’mores and played Bible charades. That was hilarious. We played students versus everyone else. We got crushed.

Edinburgh on Friday was beautiful. Despite it being a major city, I didn’t feel totally overwhelmed or disgusted by the filth. I spent at least five minutes just staring at the stone of destiny in Edinburgh Castle. I wanted to touch it (that’s far too much to ask considering you aren’t even allowed to take a photo of it).

Gazing at the stone, I felt a strange mix of appreciation and sadness. This treasured piece of history has been so many places and been ruled upon by so many monarchs! Yet all the tourists besides those in our group shuffled carelessly past to view the assortment of crown jewels nearby. They had no idea of the significance of this stone. We will teach them one day soon.

We spent the Sabbath alone, without the usual accompaniment of a local congregation. For the Bible study on Friday night, Regional Director Brad Macdonald covered areas of our human nature that prevent thorough self-examination. For Sabbath services, Herbert W. Armstrong College graduate Jessie Hester delivered a sermonette about the stone of help. Dean of students Stephen Flurry challenged us to think big during his sermon.

Afterward, we had one final group meal. The rest of the evening was spent in games. A lot of us went down to the pub and played pool.

The biggest benefit of “Robbers Cave” for me this year was the friendships I developed. We were able to further our relationships and gain a more intimate understanding of each other. While past years of Robbers Cave were more introspective, this year was more social—for me, at least.

We spent seven hours getting back. Ouch. I thought I was going to lose circulation in my legs, but the trip was worth it. I miss Scotland.