ARKANSAS—Over the Labor Day weekend, members attended the second annual Arkansas Family Campout on top of Wolverton Mountain at the “Hensley Hideaway,” the property of members Paul and Sherry Hensley. This year’s theme was “Make Camping Great Again.”

On Friday morning, members set up pavilions, tents and a kitchen. Despite the rainy forecast, God provided clear skies all day. At around sunset, the camp came together for a family-focused Bible Study given by Local Church Elder Darren Verbout.

Central Arkansas member Donna Floyd said, “I really loved how it was stressed that everything was about God and this was more than just a campout and how this affects everything we do in our lives.”

Sabbath morning began with a sumptuous brunch followed by a baptism in the Hensley’s pool. Visiting ministerial trainee Jason Hensley and Regional Director Wik Heerma gave messages about creation and hope. After services, members played a game of Bible baseball before a brisket dinner. After sunset, they bonded over board games, hayrides and fireside conversation.

On Sunday, those brave enough arose early for a 5K walk and run through several acres of trees and hayfields. Then, 10 local teens, three visiting teens and one Herbert W. Armstrong College graduate gave speeches about lessons from the Summer Educational Program, with topics such as leadership, sportsmanship, friendship, motivation and humility. Immediately following the speeches, the rain that had been previously held off for all the sabbath activities finally fell, providing perfect conditions for a 150-foot slip-n-slide. When the rain subsided, other sports activities commenced, beginning with a ladder ball tournament that came down to Paul Hensley vs. Jason Hensley (no relation). Paul Hensley, owner of the “Hensley Hideaway,” took the victory.

On Monday morning, members helped each other take down tents and pack up for home. Member Melonie Holmes said the campout was “very uplifting with the opportunity to relax with brethren and get to know them better.”