After discussing the process of building the activity, George shed some light on HoneyRock's activity culture and the philosophy behind it. Here, outdoor activities are not just hobbies or enjoyable pastimes—they are viewed as opportunities for formation. He said, "you present the whole array of possibilities, and you keep introducing people to things without being pushy, and you see what grabs their attention...let them be the driver.” HoneyRock offers many different types of activities, which allows everyone to become captivated by something. Investing in the activities that resonate with us can reveal important truths about how we are wired and what our natural interests, skills, and passions are. This is especially true of Vanguards, who are in full exploration mode here at HoneyRock. They are seeking to discover how they were made and which direction God is calling them to take, and outdoor activities provide a forum to engage in this valuable process of exploration, captivation, and investment.
George emphasized that community is necessary for this type of experiential education and formation to take place—it is the soil from which everything grows. Community offers a safe space in which we can be vulnerable and explore new things, while being bolstered by encouragement and support. George put it this way: "you have to have some kind of arena context where you can experiment and try and fail and get exposed to stuff, and that’s where God wants to meet us."As Vanguards each find themselves drawn to particular activities, grads, fellows, and professional staff figure out how to come alongside and encourage, resource, and support their journey. This not only fosters and strengthens the learning of the Vanguards, but also inspires and refreshes general zeal for recreation and outdoor engagement. It is a symbiotic and energizing process that helps to uphold HoneyRock's thriving, engagement-oriented culture.
Ice fishing has now been added to the list of activities that will resonate with HoneyRockers in the years to come. Someone will find themselves captivated by the frozen lake and the tip-ups and the auger, and they will receive support from the community as they cultivate enthusiasm and skill in it. More importantly, as they dive into the world of ice fishing, they will hopefully learn something about who they are and who God is. When I asked George to share his hopes for ice fishing, he synthesized the ultimate goal of all HoneyRock activities:
"I hope that it connects people to God, and to one another, and to His Creation—this unique environment that we’re a part of."