Not having seen Andrew and Alissa’s family in South Dakota since the birth of Ephraim in June of 2016, Dave and Jan looked forward to a “family reunion” with the Crandalls in mid-July, beginning in the Black Hills of South Dakota.  After several days on the road, camping along the way in their tent-trailer, the family got together at a “family camp” at Camp Rimrock just west of Rapid City.  Left to right – Silas with Alissa; Elijah; Andrew with Ephraim; Levi; Dave and Jan.

Family camp included morning vesper service activities for those attending.  Son-in-law Pastor Andrew shared a lesson directed specifically at the children attending at one of the camp’s fireside settings.

Meals were prepared by an excellent chef in the camp kitchen and served either in the dining room or at picnic tables outdoors in front of the lodge.

Afternoons included a quiet hour following lunch, then free time for families to enjoy the camp grounds – including tubing on the beautiful stream which flows through the campground.

Even baby Ephraim enjoyed the water – in a kiddie pool someone brought to camp for the little ones.

There were some fun family games to play during the cooler morning hours on a forested hillside.  Andrew and Alissa worked at getting their family balanced on a small wooden platform placed on top of a log.

“Grandma Jan” joined the Crandalls in a time of close family fellowship on a much smaller wooden platform!

Elijah and Levi demonstrated their skill at hanging spoons on their noses during an evening “talent night.”

Dave and Jan pitched their tent-trailer next door to the Crandalls’ cabin for overnight accommodations.

Family camp was a fun time of family togetherness at Camp Rimrock – a camp which has served the needs of our family on several occasions now in the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota.  And the fun wasn’t over with the end of camp – because Alissa arranged for further family fun in an amazing “cabin” in the Big Horn National Forest of Wyoming.  So stay tuned for more . . .