Our FNE Explorers headed to the Oregon Coast for a full weekend of camping, hiking, fishing, prayer, and plenty of fun in Lincoln City.
We left Friday evening and arrived with just enough time to set up camp and get settled. Before long, the boys were down on the beach enjoying the ocean and burning off whatever energy remained after the drive. As darkness settled in, we built our first campfire of the weekend. The day ended the way a good FNE day should—with the group gathered around the fire for evening prayers before heading to our tents.
Saturday started early. Some of the boys headed out to fish and successfully brought back several rainbow trout. The morning’s catch quickly became part of breakfast, cooked over the fire with plenty of butter. Fresh trout for breakfast is hard to beat!
With breakfast finished, we headed out for the day’s biggest challenge: hiking God’s Thumb. The steep coastal trail gave the boys a good workout, but the views from the top made the effort worthwhile. It was exactly the sort of experience we want our Explorers to have—getting outside, testing themselves, and seeing firsthand the beauty of God’s creation.
After the hike, we changed gears and visited the North Lincoln County Historical Museum, where the boys had a chance to learn a little about the history of the area. From there, we explored another stretch of the Oregon Coast before returning to camp hungry and ready for dinner.
Saturday night’s meal was Explorer Stew. Everyone contributed an ingredient, and somehow it all came together into one big meal. After dinner, we headed back to the beach for a nighttime game of Capture the Flag. Running across the sand in the dark made an already great game even better.
We eventually returned to the campfire and settled down for the evening. Before the s’mores and stories began, we prayed the Rosary together. Then came one of the best traditions of camping: sitting around a fire telling funny stories, scary stories, and probably a few stories that became more exaggerated with each telling.
Sunday morning came too quickly. We broke camp, packed our gear, and shared one final breakfast together. But the weekend wasn’t quite finished. Our last stop was the 11:30 Mass at St. Joseph, bringing the weekend back to where it began—with our faith.
Everyone returned home safe and sound, perhaps a little tired and sandy, but also a little stronger and with friendships a little deeper.
That is what an FNE weekend should be. The fishing, hiking, campfires, games, and food make for great memories. But underneath all of it is something more important: boys learning to challenge themselves, appreciate God’s creation, pray together, work together, and build genuine friendships.
Adventure. Faith. Brotherhood. A weekend well spent.
