Glamping: A Remedy for Busy City Life

by ashley | Camping, Experiential Teaching & Facilitation, Outdoor Recreation

“God’s voice is still and quiet and easily buried under an avalanche of clamor.”

– Charles Stanley

THE PACE OF URBAN LIFE CAN DULL OUR ATTENTIVENESS TO GOD’S VOICE

There is no question that urbanization is on the rise. Highways are more congested, city skylines are evolving, development projects are pushing into empty fields and into abandoned street corners. In the post Real Effects of Urbanization & Why Churches Need Outdoor Ministries, this macro development of human civilization’s migration to urban settings is explored and the spiritual implications are suggested. The majority of the world’s population is increasingly dealing with the effects of urban life, one of which is the negative effect of being surrounded by all things man-made. Urban life carries a risk for God’s voice to be drowned out by the fast-paced, information loaded world.

TAKE HEART, HE HAS OVERCOME THE WORLD

God will continue to allure His people. As urbanization continues to grow, so does the need for retreat. A recent article about glamping (glamorous camping) in New York City, shows that people are jumping at the opportunity to escape. Elements of the natural world, coupled with familiar comforts from home, are drawing people to a quieter, more simple space. People in urban areas still hear God’s voice saying, “unplug,” “rest,” and “come away.” If you are interested in glamping, it is common to have to reserve glamp spots many months in advance.

THAT IS GOD’S VOICE…WHAT ELSE IS HE SAYING?

People are responding to the call for retreat, but how are they spending their time glamping? Outdoor leadership is crucial here. Tools like our experiential learning S+T+IC=K model are helpful in pointing people toward how God may be using the classroom of wilderness to speak to them. Glamping perhaps requires more creativity in facilitating experiences that draw people from a performance driven, anxiety stricken world to solitude where God’s voice can be heard and His heart known. Still, it is an opportunity and I want to promote it because I can imagine it will help a lot of busy tired souls to create some margin to connect with God.

APPLICATION

Do you have ideas on how to facilitate glamping experiences that point people toward God? Please share them.
Spend some time in prayer and ask God to show you who He might prompt you to invite to retreat with you.

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