Not just horsing around: Moms and daughters play, study together

By Mary Owen

Horses, friends, spending quality time with mom – way cool!

That’s how Grace Nagel summed up her time at one of Canyonview Camp’s mother-daughter retreats. The 13-year-old has attended camps at Canyonview ever since she could walk, said Joyce, her mom.

“Grace is the youngest of five children,” Joyce Nagel said. “Our older daughters have all worked and attended camps at Canyonview, as well as our oldest son. Our youngest son, James, finished his first summer in their Teens in Ministry program after being an avid camper since kindergarten.”

The Nagel mom-and-daughter duo loved their time at the retreat three years ago and plan to continue to participate.

The vision for Canyonview Ministries began with Ernest Campbell in 1952 with the “Bible Hour” on KLSM radio station in Salem. To expand into other Bible teaching opportunities, Campbell formed Bible Teaching, Inc.

Property was purchased on Drift Creek, halfway between Silverton and Sublimity, that soon became Canyonview Camp, and Campbell poured his life into teaching people “the message of grace.”

Six mother-daughter camps are usually scheduled, three in spring, three in fall.

“And we’re thinking about a three-day mother-daughter camp this coming summer,” said Sherilyn Sander, Canyon Equestrian College dean of students. “We can host a total of 24 mothers and/or daughters. Some moms choose to bring more than one daughter. ”

The schedule for Canyonview Camps can be found at www.canyonviewcamp.org/. The camps are for ages 8 and older; it’s non-denominational and accommodates all levels or riders, both English and Western.

“It’s a safe place for the seeker that wants to learn more about the Lord in a relaxed and fun atmosphere,” Sander said.

Activities include four horsemanship lessons, taught by certified instructors; barn classes that teach participants about horses and barn chores; crafts, making something to take home to remember the experience; learning principles from the horse/rider partnership that mirrors relationships with God; music, games; Bible study, and group and individual quiet time.

Initially, the Nagels decided to attend the retreat to reward Grace for finishing a particularly grueling educational program.

“I remember at first being surprised that so many of the other mom-daughter teams had been there multiple times, but now I understand why,” Nagel said. “We loved every minute of it!”

Nagel loves that Canyonview girds its get-togethers with Bible study, which, she said, “is always pertinent and able to meet the needs of both young believer and mature Christians alike.”

“I was also touched by the depth of knowledge and faith in God’s word displayed by the college-aged young people who conducted the retreat,” she added.

Like many teens, Grace loves being near horses and the opportunity to learn a few equine skills.

“It is very hands-on, not just in riding time, but in caring for the horses,” Nagel said. “She could see what a commitment it is to actually own a horse. I think it helped her appreciate the experience even more.”

Grace told her mom that she would rather attend mother-daughter weekend retreat than a whole week of horse camp by herself.

“I think it might be that she thinks there is still hope for me to fall as hopelessly in love with horses as she is, but there is also something special about one-on-on time for mothers and daughters without outside distractions like housework or the usual chores that can suck away the weekend.”

“Just having fun with my mom is the best,” said Grace, who attends Western Mennonite School. Both mom and daughter agree they have been challenged and blessed by Canyonview programs.
Sander is not surprised. She said the camps boost mother-daughter relationships, challenging campers to “walk with God” as they participate in activities and studies.

“It is always wonderful to see moms and daughters interact in a way they don’t get to at home with the hustle and bustle of homework, soccer practice and chores,” Sander said.

“We love seeing moms walking arm in arm with their daughters. Sometimes it’s a timid mom who’s ‘horse–crazy’ daughter got them there, and they overcome their fears to find out they enjoy horses!”
Canyonview’s camping program has expanded over the past 40 years to encompass summer day camp for children, overnight adventure and canyon camps, fellowship riding lessons, weekend camps, as well as the horse camps and mother-daughter retreats.

“Mother and daughters are invited to get away from the chaos of life for a fun and relaxing weekend,” Sander said. “Enjoy God’s amazing creation together for a time of fellowship, time in the Word, and of course, horses!