2019
ICNA Family Camping
On
September 13th, driving up the breathtaking range of mountains, we arrived at Camp Seely. It was nestled 4,432 feet above sea level in the county of San Bernardino in sunny California. This was the beginning of our two day weekend retreat organized by ICNA at this hillside camping resort. A little rough around the edges, Camp Seely is nevertheless a wooded divine abode for a few days for the visiting tourists and campers. On the drive itself we had the opportunity to admire the flora and fauna surrounding the camp; the majestic sunset and sunrise at the camp were the icing on top. Our cabins were assigned at check-in, “yes cabins, not tents”. This is a relief for those who don’t cope well outdoors. Each cabin was equipped with four or five beds with mattresses. Kudos to the ICNA organizers who were mindful of providing a very good list of the necessities to bring along. The bathrooms were situated close to all the cabins and were kept clean throughout the day. Refrigeration facilities were available for those who needed it. There was a size-able dining hall to accommodate the 65 families calling Camp Seely their home for the weekend. The multipurpose room was reserved for prayers and lectures. There were a lot of open spaces with stadium style seating, a park for the toddlers and basketball and volleyball courts. Most of us enjoyed the absence of technology. My thirteen year-old and her friends initially felt like the stone age without WiFi, however that void was successfully filled in by the various fun and creative activities organized by MCNA (Muslim Children of North America) for kid between the ages of 4 to 13. The MCNA activities included tie dye, water balloon fights, ice cream competition, bonfires, s’mores, and etc. The youth group also had their own activities such as hiking, circle time around the bonfire, and shooting some hoops. I mostly enjoyed the socialization of meeting new people and reconnecting with old friends. This retreat provided the old fashion bonding between families and friends that is usually missing from our fast paced lives. The common dining room was a place to make new friends. We met a nice family and
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exchanged phone numbers, hope to connect soon Insha’Allah. The drive on Friday took a toll on most people, so they retired early after dinner, but the bonfire was going for those who decided to hang around. The next day started with Tahajjud prayer. After Fajr prayer, a large group went for hiking. The crisp morning air and the uphill and downhill walk through the woods with a small creak running alongside makes one take a moment to appreciate the nature and praise the Creator. The hiking on Saturday and Sunday was followed by a hearty breakfast and some free time before the lectures. Sheikh Abdur-Rehman and Sheikh Shahid were kind enough to give us their valuable time and enlighten us with their knowledge. The addition of the lectures was a great way of seeking the pleasure of Allah amidst the fun activities. Saturday night was memorable with the bonfire, s’mores, and well how could a Muslim camping weekend come to an end without campside Jinn stories? They were chilling! But they were a perfect finale to the ICNA Family camping 2019. There was quite a variety of food starting from Friday night dinner until Sunday Lunch. The organizers went above and beyond to ensure that there was an abundance of food to go around. It was served warm and fresh, catering to the taste buds of the majority of the attendees. My favorite was the barbecue chicken and grilled sweet potatoes served for lunch on Saturday and the rice pudding on Friday dinner. A unique meal was served for breakfast and was enjoyed by everyone after the arduous hiking. Tea and coffee were available throughout the day as well to the amazement of the caffeine lovers. After Sunday morning breakfast, it was time to pack up and clean our respective cabins. Seeing that many people planned an early departure, it was very considerate of the organizers to provide lunch to go. Alhamdulillah, this was a great experience. Insha’Allah, ICNA will continue this tradition every year so we can take some time from our busy lives to unwind and conjoin with nature. v
