CREATIVE TRAILS

 

You mount your horse in the arena which says “City of Destruction.” The gate opens to provide access to “The King’s Highway.” As the campers ride through the woods, they are reminded to “Put on the full armor of God.” Wranglers tell them about the “Slough of Despond” and the Good King who sends helpers for their journey. They ride past the “Cross” and enter “Doubting Castle,” home of the giant “Despair.” Leaders remind them of the “Key of Promise,” God’s Word, and the way to escape the castle. From there they ride over the “Hill of Difficulty,” and through the “City of Vanity” until they finally reach the “Celestial City.”

Where can you take such a ride? Become a junior-age camper at Camp Chetek in Wisconsin. The “Pilgrim’s Progess” trail ride is the brainstorm of Stacy Malmanger who has worked with what she calls the “King’s Horses” since 2013. Every camp horse which has entered the horse program since that time has been given a Bible name: Enoch, Nicodemus, Boaz, Naomi, Havilah, Cyrus, Mordecai, and Zipporah.

Teen campers take trail rides through the woods. But Stacy wanted a way to keep the junior campers in a more controlled environment while establishing a routine for the older horses they would be riding. That led to the “Pilgrim’s Progress” trail ride.

Stacy and her husband Benn have been working at Camp Chetek since 2007. Working with the horses has fulfilled a life-long dream for her. Just reading about the “King’s Highway” makes me want to become a junior camper once again.