“Let’s talk about this thing called Perfect Circles.”
The idea behind Perfect Circles began in the north woods of
Wisconsin. I was working on a dream camp project called Camp Jehovah-Shammah
which in Hebrew means, “The LORD is there.” The following will provide you with
an overview of such a program:
Perfect Circles: a bicycle
adventure ministry of Camp Jehovah-Shammah
“If only I may
finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me, the task of
testifying to the Gospel of God’s grace” (Acts 20:24).
Purpose/Program: Perfect Circles is an educational
travel program promoting personal growth, adventure, and fun through cycling
and camping. It is a bicycle adventure program that focuses on the communion we
have with one another through the close bond of Jesus Christ. The mission of
Perfect Circles is to provide a community of cyclists who band together to
worship God and have fellowship in Jesus Christ on the open road.
Can You Imagine Yourself…….
--missing your turn and ending up
right where you started from that morning
--being outwitted by a hungry raccoon, and having to cycle
to town for breakfast
--asking directions in a foreign country using only sign
language
--being on a trip with a 24-hour off tune whistler
--eating chili for dinner after having spent a lifetime
refusing it
--sleeping in a tent with someone who snores
--spending a night in a farmhouse and being awakened
before the crack of dawn to tend to the morning chores
--sharing the last cookie, even though you wanted all of
it
…. AND LIKING IT!
Our Groups
While the scenery you pass may be
spectacular, and the physical exercise invigorating, your experience as part of
a group will probably be the highlight of your trip. You may be surprised how
close you'll feel to friends who were new faces just a few days before. You'll
be traveling with 8 - 12 people and 2 leaders on a low budget and a high sense of
adventure. In a small group each person adds his or her own flavor: one person
may be a great storyteller while another a gourmet campfire cook. Ideas and
input are also essential; each individual’s contribution enhances the group as
a whole.
Flexibility and cooperation are key
elements in our group experience. A lot of give and take is needed to make a
group run smoothly -- like when there are nine or ten different opinions, or when
one bike breakdown holds everyone up for the day! It is important to be open to
the ideas, experiences and feelings of other group members, and to be willing
to abide by group decisions. You will have your share of hostel/campsite
chores, and food and group equipment to carry. The richness of experiencing
cooperative group living and self-sufficiency is one of the added dimensions
which make Perfect Circles trips much more than just a few weeks on your bike.
Our Leaders
If you want a bike trip leader who
will cook your breakfast and fix your flat tires, look elsewhere. Our leaders
provide the ingredients and tools, but they'll encourage you to tackle the job
on your own. They're fun to be with, and when times get rough their warmth,
strength, and guidance will help bring the group together.
Our leaders are teachers, human service professionals,
graduate students, college seniors, and travel/hospitality professionals. Each
leader has been carefully chosen and trained by our Leadership Department and
is required to successfully complete a personal interview, a CPR & First
Aid certification program, and participate in our Leadership Training and
Evaluation Course. Each course is run as an actual biking, camping, hostelling
trip. Emphasis is placed on the skills necessary in leading a trip such as
group dynamics, first aid, bike repairs, camping skills, hostel customs,
environmental awareness, meal planning, games and sensitivity exercises.
Safety
A fun biking experience requires
that biking safety precautions are practiced. Our leaders are fully trained in
bicycle safety. Trippers will wear bike helmets at all times, perform daily
pre-ride bike inspections, and practice safe cycling.
Equipment
Each tripper will need to bring a
touring or hybrid bicycle with 10-24 speeds, saddlebags, a sleeping bag, a foam
mattress, and a helmet. Included in the trip cost is the rental of tents and
camping cook set/stove.
Overnights
Some of our treks stay more at
hostels; others camp out every night, while many do a mixture of both.
Hostelling
Hostels are simple, inexpensive
accommodations supervised by house-parents. Old farmhouses, schools, former
jails, abandoned coast guard stations, ships, castles and trains have been
converted into hostels. Most have a kitchen, a common room and dorms with bunk beds.
Mattresses, pillows, sheets, and blankets are provided. Hostels are cooperative
accommodations; you are expected to clean up and help with small chores. You'll
enjoy running into other travelers staying at the same hostel, exchanging
stories and sharing experiences with them.
Camping
With the ground as your bed and the
tent as your roof, camping can be a fun and exciting experience. You become
aware of the sounds and smells of the night with the stars (and sometimes the
bugs) all around you. Our groups often stay in state forests and private
campgrounds. Facilities vary. Some campgrounds have showers, pools and
recreation rooms, while others offer only a field in which to pitch a tent. We
provide each camping group with tents, stoves and cook sets. Trippers must
provide their own personal equipment, such as sleeping bags, cutlery and
dishes. Camping requires added physical and emotional effort, especially when
the sky looks ominous. However, evenings around the campfire give trippers a
chance to know one another better and experience a special closeness as a
group.
A Typical Day
Depending on circumstances, you'll crawl out of your
sleeping bag or bed between 7:00 and 9:00 A.M. (perhaps earlier at times).
You'll help get breakfast and clean up the hostel or campsite and pack your
bike. The group will go over the route and arrange meeting places along the way
for swimming, lunch, whatever. Each person cycles at his or her own
speed, with a leader bringing up the rear. Frequent stops are made for ice-cream,
swimming, resting at the tops of hills, talking with local sheep, etc. The
group regroups at or near the final destination to arrange for grocery shopping
and dinner. The evening's activities can be planned ahead, or left open to the
spontaneity of the moment. On planned trips your overnights will be spent in
hostels which are cooperative, dormitory style accommodations, or state parks
and local campgrounds; some trips are either all hostelling or all camping
while many offer a mixture of both. A few trips will spend the night in college
dorms, country inns, or farmhouses. On trips with phantom overnights (stealth
camping), groups often stay in farmer's fields, back-yards, churches and
firehouses as well as regular campgrounds.
Daily Cycling
The wind in your face, the sun on your back, the sense of
accomplishment at the end of a long day--these are all part of the special
feeling you have when riding. Cycling is much more than physical exercise.
You'll become close friends with your bicycle as the two of you get to know a
region the way no motorist can. People are pleased to see you taking the time
and energy to explore the landscape and culture of their particular region.
Cycling also means traveling under your own steam,
pollution-free, carrying your essentials with you every pedal of the way. Of
course there will be days when the weather is less than perfect or times when
bike repairs slow you down, but the experiences you have along the way make it
all worthwhile. If this sounds enticing but you're not an Olympic champion,
don't worry. We are a summer camp biking program offering a variety of trips
for all ranges of cycling ability.
Trips would begin locally and as God wills it, expand
globally. My dream as Camp Jehovah-Shammah may begin in the form of Perfect
Circles bicycle trips. I anticipate the very first trip to be a week long
summer excursion. As I build a clientele and raise awareness and funds and
support, the following year will see additional trips. And perhaps the week of
Spring Break will be available for a trip as well, or maybe winter journeys
during Christmas break. The possibilities are endless. There are many trips and
expeditions that would be feasible just in and around the Pacific Northwest.
This expedition this summer down the Pacific Coast and up
through the desert and mountains I anticipate to be the first in a series of
expeditions to raise awareness and funds and to scope out locations to be able
to start a Christian ministry called Perfect Circles. There are obviously many
logistics to think about and research before the first camp happens (i.e.
support, bikes, first aid, leaders, training, fundraising, equipment, routes,
etc.) but that is all apart of the fun. However, I cannot do this alone. I ask
for support.
Again, let me direct you to my fundraising website:
Help this dream come true.
Thank you all kindly.
