On Friday, men and sons began showing up at our farm for a Fathers & Sons Weekend discernement campout. The event was designed to help fathers and sons bond as well as help these young men continue to discern their vocation.
Friday evening John Bradford, founder of Wilderness Outreach, and I began preparing our camping area. We chose the highest point on our property as the place to pitch tents and a lower area as a place for cooking, campfire, and other activities. (click on images for full size)
Friday evening we enjoyed some grilled cheese sandwiches and tomato soup for dinner. The young men bonded over fire building and hatchet throwing. After dinner, we prayed Evening Prayer together from the Liturgy of the Hours. During the evening campfire discussion we listened to the vocational discernment story of Fr. Michael Haemmerle (Parochial Vicar at St. Paul, Westerville, OH.) It was a great story for the boys to hear. He told of how God was patient with him over the years as he finished High School, attended Ohio State University, and even visited various religious orders during his discernement. I think it was good for all of us to hear about his prayer, struggles, and perseverance in seeking God’s will for his life. After father’s talk the boys were given a chance to comment and ask questions.
We concluded the night with Night Prayer followed by the singing of the Salve Regina. Personal note, if you’ve never heard the men of Wilderness Outreach sing the Salve Regina before retiring for the night, you are missing out one of the most subtle delights this side of heaven. The link above gives you a little taste but it is so much more beautiful, more sublime, in the Cathedral of the Wilderness.
The nights were certainly chilly and filled with the howls of coyotes but the night skies were also spectacular to see…
Saturday began with a chilly air temperature of about 34 degrees. We stoked the embers and kindled another fire, cooked breakfast, and prayed Morning Prayer. Afterwards, we went to Boch Hollow Nature Preserve for a 5 mile hike.
We returned to camp after the hike for Mass and lunch. This was followed by some hatchet throwing competitions, tug of war, and learning how to stake out an area for building a structure and making sure it is square!
Saturday evening we cooked sausages and prayed Evening Prayer. This was followed by an in-depth conversation around the fire about the Masculine Telos. After the discussion we prayed Night Prayer, sang the Salve Regina, and climbed in our tents. Everyone in camp was awakened about 1:15AM by the howling of some very close coyotes but slept fine otherwise?
Sunday morning we all attended Mass at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Logan, OH. If you ever get a chance to visit, this beautiful old church should be a stop especially if you are in the Hocking Hills area.
We returned to camp after Mass, had a simple breakfast and broke camp after Morning Prayer. It was a great weekend for all involved.
If you know of a man interested in learning more about Wilderness Outreach Expeditions or a father and son(s) who may benefit from a weekend in the outdoors, reach out to John at Wilderness Outreach or check the schedule (treks) for upcoming events.
If you or your group may be interested in camping on our property for a retreat, primitive get-away, etc., reach out to me to discuss.
James M. Hahn, Author 