While Valentine's Day today is typically associated with chocolate and flowers, the "real" Valentine celebration has more in common with camping than you may expect. 

The legend of St. Valentine, whose feast day is celebrated February 14th, dates to the fourth century, during the Roman Empire when it was illegal to be a Christian.  Valentine, a priest in Rome during the reign of Claudius II, was caught marrying Christian couples and aiding those who were being persecuted for their faith.  He was eventually arrested and imprisoned.  It is believed that the Emperor was impressed by this gracious man of God, until Valentine began to convert Claudius by sharing the love of Christ with him.  He was then sentenced to death and martyred in 269 CE.

Commitment to Christ is what the "real" St. Valentine is about, and in so many ways, he represents what camping is all about too. 

While we won't say too much about the "marriage thing" (though some have testified that they did first meet their future spouse at camp), sharing Christ with others, strengthening young people in their faith, and emboldening them to witness to others is what we strive for in our camps at Redwood Glen.  A commitment to Christ is the goal of camp, or as Associate Director, Marshall Coleman says, it is what makes camp so good.  (See his article left.)

Be a "real" Valentine this Valentine's Day and give the gift of camp to a young person in your life.  A week of camp is one of the best ways to share the love of Christ with others.  And unlike chocolate and flowers, it is a gift that will last forever.  (And there are no extra calories!)

Register by February 15th and save $50.  For more information and to register online, click here or check us out on the web at www.redwoodglen.com.