07/30/2025
Hey Campers!
This is Possum, your Camp Director, and Splash (my wife and co-director) here with a quick update on our upcoming Mt. St. Helens expedition! We recently took a reconnaissance trip to scout out the roads and confirm our exciting plans. We know some of you have been curious about road conditions, and while there are closures in the area, we're happy to report that none of them affect our planned route!
We've got everything covered. The drive might be a little slow due to road conditions and the chance of a construction zone, but we're ready to roll with it and adapt our plans as needed. Even our low-to-the-ground Volkswagen Jetta handled it just fine, so we're prepared for a smooth (albeit scenic!) journey.
Get ready to explore some incredible spots:
Bear Meadow: Stand where the iconic photographs of the May 18th, 1980 blast were captured.
Miner's Car: Witness firsthand the incredible effects of the heat on nature and property, exemplified by the permanently parked 1972 Pontiac LaMans.
Meta Lake: Discover this surprisingly protected area where we'll discuss the astounding biological recovery that has amazed the scientific community. We'll learn about nature's "first responders" and how life bounced back so quickly after such a massive disaster.
Spirit Lake: We'll hike down to this reformed lake, discussing the decimated forest and the fascinating floating logs that are slowly sinking. We'll enjoy our sack lunches here amidst this incredible landscape.
Windy Ridge: Our grand finale! This is the closest you can get to the volcano by car. Kids will love climbing the huge stairway for the absolute best views of Spirit Lake, seeing where buildings once stood, and on clear days, even spotting Mt. Rainier and Mount Hood!
This isn't just a sightseeing tour; it's a profound learning experience. You'll gain unique insights into how those who believe in the Biblical account of creation and the flood can postulate scientific theories about how the world was reshaped. We'll use the real-time observations from Mt. St. Helens over the past 45 years to show how science and the Bible beautifully align. Our goal is to equip kids with strong, scientific reasons to confidently stand on the Word of God, understanding that science has, in fact, not disproven the Bible.
We're thrilled about this adventure and can't wait to share it with all of you! If you know anyone who might still be interested in joining us for a week of unforgettable summer fun and learning, please let them know that we've extended the registration deadline to Sunday, August 3rd. It's a truly unique experience.
Warmly,
Darren (Possum) Nettrouer
Camp Director
