Family Camp: The Place to Be
Family Camp: The Place to Be
by Barbara Hiura
by Barbara Hiura
Bring it on! It’s Labor Day weekend and you know what that means? FAMILY CAMP! Yeah! And while it was blistering hot here in San Jose, God smiled upon all attending Pinecrest Lake with sunny, mild, days and cool breezes and beautiful evenings. We had 65 campers this year, down from last and other times, but I can tell you, all shared an amazing adventure together.
John and Christine Ng planned for months and put together another opportunity for a memorable experience for our church family. At the top there was a fishing derby and those who hiked out to Wesley Rock were not disappointed. New and old shared in the thrill and mind you…it is a thrill…of catching the first fish of the day. Oliver Schumacher caught the biggest trout…huge…16.9 oz. What a prize-winning fish! John, Ham Tran, and Bob Yasukawa were our fishing masters for the weekend and brought in new kids to this experience. And once a fish is reeled in, of course, they are hooked.
While there was fishing daily, some took time to go out onto the lake, kayaking, or renting a party boat. Others took the 4-mile hike around the lake with Mark Teagle who has made it his “thing” every year. The carrot-on-the-stick once around, the exhausted and thirsty bunch treat themselves to root-beer floats. What a way to end a trek like that. There is swimming and we have folks lazing around the pool on these warm afternoons. Yes, the parents are watching their kids, but they are also taking a break from the busyness of work-life in the city.
Many partook of tie-dying anything and everything, from t-shirts to socks…yes, socks! Or beading. No matter the project, both young and old enjoyed the experience.
After a day full of memorable activities, there’s the campfire where the entire camp gathers for a sing-along with Mark amidst a blaze in the fire-pit and when there is nothing but embers, it’s time for S’mores. For everyone who’s attended before, it is a tasty treat looked forward to all year. Then there are the games in the mess hall where Paul Ueunten takes on all challengers for Scrabble. He rarely loses and this year was no different. Oh, where is DeeDee Azuma and Keith Ichinaga. Bich Hamilton, new at camp this year, gave him a run for his money, however, but lost on the very last play. Sigh, well, there’s always next year.
Two camps this year had local tent gatherings after this sing-a-long and s’mores. Camp A where many of the children and parents reside had movies, soy sauce hot dogs and rice. Yum! They also had an afternoon where they served snow-cones and expresso thanks to the Becky and David Wong, from Clovis.
Camps E and F with the four-season cabins (bathroom, heat, fridge, ceiling fan, and microwave) and Camp C (bunk beds, a single light bulb, dust, and holes in the canvas tent and outdoor bathrooms), also had a campfire going with attractions of sushi rice, ramen, lemon and lime bars, and snacks of all kinds. Many thanks to Brenda Gee and Jeffrey Oldham for the set-up and hosting.
Sunday evening at Camp Oski is the coming together of the entire church family with a scavenger hunt, the fishing derby prize winners, skits, and our final night of s’mores.
The newcomer challenge is always a huge success and hilarious. There was Grace Wada and the Nitta family, Misao Kusuda, Bich and Brian Hamilton, and Trisha Kuwada, Mike, Logan and Kaylee Ho Camp A, B, and C youth with guitar accompaniment, beautifully sang “Canon”; Camp C, E and F reprised a Tengan favorite, “The L’il Nash Rambler.” And repping the children, Natalie and Arissa, played their ukulele’s and sang the Hawaiian “Lava” song. Hear! Hear! For the participants.
Many thanks to Mark Teagle for bringing us the message of “God’s Love” for our very brief Sunday service. But all of us are aware of our closeness to God when we have time to appreciate and be grateful for the natural wonders God provides High-fives to Mark for all the work he did to ensure the well-being of our complement and he was ever present as the song leader, kayak master, hiking leader, and message-giver.
Huge shout out to the Ng family, especially John for his passion for fishing and love for putting this camp event together for all of us. Thanks also go out to Ham Tran for his photo work, to Kelli Martines for name tags, so important for our meet and greet, and everyone who attended and participated. This was a very special coming together and bonding time for our church family.
Accolades and homage to Warren Shimonishi, who came to camp (thanks to his daughter, Lori who brought him), where he caught fish, ate snow cones and hung out chatting with campers. Of course, you all know that he and Rosie are the reason we have our annual Church Family Camp. They originated this event back in 1975 and led it for over 40 years until just a few years ago when the Ngs took it on. Are we ever thankful.
Everyone needs to make plans NOW to come next year. The perk besides the Four-season cabins is the new lodge set to open in 2026. We got to see the it for this campground and It’s will be a major attraction, with a huge dining facility, huge gathering area and fireplace, and it will be THE center of our camp experience. So…see you all next year!
John and Christine Ng planned for months and put together another opportunity for a memorable experience for our church family. At the top there was a fishing derby and those who hiked out to Wesley Rock were not disappointed. New and old shared in the thrill and mind you…it is a thrill…of catching the first fish of the day. Oliver Schumacher caught the biggest trout…huge…16.9 oz. What a prize-winning fish! John, Ham Tran, and Bob Yasukawa were our fishing masters for the weekend and brought in new kids to this experience. And once a fish is reeled in, of course, they are hooked.
While there was fishing daily, some took time to go out onto the lake, kayaking, or renting a party boat. Others took the 4-mile hike around the lake with Mark Teagle who has made it his “thing” every year. The carrot-on-the-stick once around, the exhausted and thirsty bunch treat themselves to root-beer floats. What a way to end a trek like that. There is swimming and we have folks lazing around the pool on these warm afternoons. Yes, the parents are watching their kids, but they are also taking a break from the busyness of work-life in the city.
Many partook of tie-dying anything and everything, from t-shirts to socks…yes, socks! Or beading. No matter the project, both young and old enjoyed the experience.
After a day full of memorable activities, there’s the campfire where the entire camp gathers for a sing-along with Mark amidst a blaze in the fire-pit and when there is nothing but embers, it’s time for S’mores. For everyone who’s attended before, it is a tasty treat looked forward to all year. Then there are the games in the mess hall where Paul Ueunten takes on all challengers for Scrabble. He rarely loses and this year was no different. Oh, where is DeeDee Azuma and Keith Ichinaga. Bich Hamilton, new at camp this year, gave him a run for his money, however, but lost on the very last play. Sigh, well, there’s always next year.
Two camps this year had local tent gatherings after this sing-a-long and s’mores. Camp A where many of the children and parents reside had movies, soy sauce hot dogs and rice. Yum! They also had an afternoon where they served snow-cones and expresso thanks to the Becky and David Wong, from Clovis.
Camps E and F with the four-season cabins (bathroom, heat, fridge, ceiling fan, and microwave) and Camp C (bunk beds, a single light bulb, dust, and holes in the canvas tent and outdoor bathrooms), also had a campfire going with attractions of sushi rice, ramen, lemon and lime bars, and snacks of all kinds. Many thanks to Brenda Gee and Jeffrey Oldham for the set-up and hosting.
Sunday evening at Camp Oski is the coming together of the entire church family with a scavenger hunt, the fishing derby prize winners, skits, and our final night of s’mores.
The newcomer challenge is always a huge success and hilarious. There was Grace Wada and the Nitta family, Misao Kusuda, Bich and Brian Hamilton, and Trisha Kuwada, Mike, Logan and Kaylee Ho Camp A, B, and C youth with guitar accompaniment, beautifully sang “Canon”; Camp C, E and F reprised a Tengan favorite, “The L’il Nash Rambler.” And repping the children, Natalie and Arissa, played their ukulele’s and sang the Hawaiian “Lava” song. Hear! Hear! For the participants.
Many thanks to Mark Teagle for bringing us the message of “God’s Love” for our very brief Sunday service. But all of us are aware of our closeness to God when we have time to appreciate and be grateful for the natural wonders God provides High-fives to Mark for all the work he did to ensure the well-being of our complement and he was ever present as the song leader, kayak master, hiking leader, and message-giver.
Huge shout out to the Ng family, especially John for his passion for fishing and love for putting this camp event together for all of us. Thanks also go out to Ham Tran for his photo work, to Kelli Martines for name tags, so important for our meet and greet, and everyone who attended and participated. This was a very special coming together and bonding time for our church family.
Accolades and homage to Warren Shimonishi, who came to camp (thanks to his daughter, Lori who brought him), where he caught fish, ate snow cones and hung out chatting with campers. Of course, you all know that he and Rosie are the reason we have our annual Church Family Camp. They originated this event back in 1975 and led it for over 40 years until just a few years ago when the Ngs took it on. Are we ever thankful.
Everyone needs to make plans NOW to come next year. The perk besides the Four-season cabins is the new lodge set to open in 2026. We got to see the it for this campground and It’s will be a major attraction, with a huge dining facility, huge gathering area and fireplace, and it will be THE center of our camp experience. So…see you all next year!
This is an annual reunion for the Urata Family who fish and probably catch their limit every day.
The Gee family are now making this an annual trek, (clockwise from left) Brenda, Tristan, Jeffrey Oldham, Denise, Roberta and Brad.
At least four families fishing off Wesley Rock.
Lori Low and her pops, Warren Shimonishi catch fish.
Our fishing gurus, from left: Bob Yasukawa, John Ng, and Ham Tran
Our hard-working church Director of Administration, Kelli Martines (center), finally has time to relax by the pool, with assistance from (left) Richard Poczulp, Mark Teagle, and Leila.
The Murillos, Carlos and Melissa and below, Sato and Hideo.
Grace Wada and her two adorable grandchildren, Trevor and Stuart.
Fishing Derby winners: Clara and Hideo (Mia not pictured) with John Ng.
Kaylee is delighted and loves camp!
Brian Hamilton and the tie-dyed t-shirt he created. Nice job.
Mark Teagle gives the Sunday message.
Becky and David Wong make Sno-cones at Camp A.
New this year, Charlene Chow enjoys a day kayaking.
A not to be missed opportunity to check-out the new camp lodge above and below.
Taking care of us at the end of our stay were Brad Gee and Tristan and Denise, cleaning up our camp site.
Posted in Newsletter 2025-09-25