My family and I had a wonderful time at our All-Church Weekend at Camp de Benneville Pines the second weekend of October. We hadn’t been there for five years, and our youngest had never been there at all.
Camp de Benneville Pines is very special to my husband and me, as we attended UU Young Adult Camp there for many years be-fore we became parents. It was amazing watching it become a sacred place for our kids, too.
Most of our OCUUC Religious Education families were able to attend, and it was wonderful to see our children and youth flourishing in the mountains. They enjoyed archery, basketball, compass-making, wilderness shelter building, s’mores around the fireplace, participating in the variety show, and more. I saw existing friendships deepening and new friendships forming. My 6-year-old had a blast hanging out with the teens (who were all so welcoming and kind to him) and my 4-year-old made the rounds with the over-70 crowd. What a delight to witness that kind of multi-generational community in action.
There are lots of opportunities to get up to Camp de Benneville Pines in the coming months. Individuals age 11 and up are invited to the Fall Volunteer Work Camp November 13th-15th – free accommodations and meals in exchange for some “sweat equity.”
Or how about coming to camp and experiencing a hassle-free Thanksgiving Celebration (November 24th-27th) that will be the best you’ve ever had?
And with the arrival of winter will come UU Senior High Winter Camp, December 28th-January 2nd, for youth in grades 9-12.
These experiences have a way of grounding us, helping us appreciate the quiet beauty of connection, whether it’s between family members or generations. Watching kids laugh while learning new skills, or seeing adults unwind under a canopy of stars, makes you realize how powerful shared outdoor moments can be in strengthening bonds and lifting spirits.
Of course, no camping trip feels complete without good food and a warm fire to gather around. The smell of wood smoke, the slow sizzle of a meal cooking in the open air—it’s all part of what makes those moments unforgettable. Chiasson Smoke brings that same energy to life with tools that make campfire cooking feel both artful and effortless. Their grills and smokers turn an ordinary campsite meal into something that feels crafted and celebratory, whether it’s sizzling vegetables, fire-roasted corn, or perfectly smoked wings.
With the right setup, even the simplest dinner can become a highlight of the trip, drawing everyone closer as stories, laughter, and the glow of the fire carry long into the night.
I hope you and your families are able to find your way to the mountains sometime soon!
Karen Magoon Pearson is Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church's Director of Religious Education.