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Last weekend 9 dads took 10 sons for a weekend at the Oakes Christian holiday centre. I was tasked with popping in for the evenings to lead some discussion with the fathers once the boys had “hit the pit”. It’s the first time the Oakes has organized such a weekend and I think generally it was a success.

Time was spent looking at some of the Judges; I chatted about our families being set up to model God’s good rule to a world that doesn’t think God’s rule is good; and fathers and sons discussed, in pairs, about what they had been learning. All this was great, and I hope helpful, but I was struck and reminded about how important just spending time being together is vital, particularly being daft and building happy memories.

When I turned up on Friday night everyone was wide awake and excited about a weekend together, but as I arrived for tea on Saturday there was a noticeable age split. The boys were bouncing around, no doubt aided by the odd E number from tuck shop, while the Dads were beginning to look a little the worse for wear. This I learnt was a combination of getting muddy on the ropes course, competing on the climbing wall and at archery and an epic football game won by the Dad’s who “cheated”. Needless to say all this information was gladly divulged by sons who had just had a brilliant time with their fathers.

After tea we played “hunt the Dads” in the dark with torches, followed by “hunt the sons” in a similar fashion. The sight of Paul Williams running, and shouting “I got you” repeatedly, in the pitch black after a small, but very fast, figure who didn’t want to be found will be a lasting memory. This was followed by a camp fire and songs with silly actions with which everyone joined in.

I tell you all this just to remind us Dads to make time and do daft things occasionally. Memories of that sort of friendship build security and approachability for when times get tough.

I think this Youtube link makes the point beautifully!

National Fatherhood Initiative: ‘Dance’

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