Kingswood … Where All Are Welcome

By Cheryl Winship

This family friendly campground has sites that are home away from home,people that are like extended family, and land that provides solid ground. When we asked campers and volunteers why they kept coming back, they consistently answered with one of three answers: the facilities (tents and bathhouse) being so convenient, the people being friendly, and the land, a place they feel connected to. These are very powerful emotional connections and the very thing that is missing in today’s electronic world. Kingswood is a thin place, a place where we feel more connected, grounded, closer to each other and God.

Many of us don’t want to tell others about Kingswood for it is “our” special place. We want to keep it to ourselves but others need this kind of experience, too.

So please do tell others and be sure to let them know that all are welcome. Kingswood welcomes the unique contributions that diverse campers bring in terms of their education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran’s status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs. All are not only welcome but encouraged to participate and share ideas. Meeting people with differing opinions, experiences and ideas makes for exciting conversation and an enriching environment. Campers at Kingswood have many differences, but they have a few important things in common. Kingswood folks love the outdoors, the beauty of nature, and unstructured time …

Those of us who choose to volunteer at Kingswood, to help keep this experience financially reasonable and within reach of many, encourage you to do two things. Please recommend Kingswood to three others and make a donation when you make your reservation. The donation can be given to support family scholarships, so that a family that would love this experience but can’t afford it could apply and have the opportunity to introduce their family to the great outdoors at Kingswood – a safe, friendly, inclusive and affordable vacation.