Summer Adventure 5-Day Reading PlanSample

I plan summer adventures in the spring. I pick a region to explore, gather my family around the table, and ask what they want to see or do.

“I want to skateboard!”

“Great!”, I say, “let’s find some good skateparks.”

“I want to surf!”

“You know we’re going to Utah, right?”

We settle on fly fishing the Provo River, where a huge trout broke my son’s line last summer. Perfect. I want to fish there too. The brainstorming ends with me trying to convince my wife we don’t have enough gear, and that I should immediately go to REI to gear up for our trip in July.

“You know it’s March, right?”

These adventures are about moments on mountains and in rivers when it’s just me and my sons and our God who spoke it all into place. We end up on the Provo and our lines are in the water. My son has doubts about the flies we’re using. Like all doubts floating on the surface, there’s something bigger below. He’s learning things at school that bring up questions about God. They are good questions. Along the river, we have time to discuss them. We also talk about fishing and why I know we are using the right flies.

“Whether it’s about fishing or the art of Vanagon maintenance or the truth behind the stars, a father can teach only what he comes by honestly. I know because of the time I’ve spent in the flow of rivers. I’ve studied the water. What’s on the surface is not always the truth of what’s below. It is only a clue. But I know truth. I’ve sought it like hidden treasures. I know trout like to hold in stiller water while keeping an eye on food flowing in faster currents. I know 90 percent of a trout’s feeding takes place below the surface. Still, knowing what I know, we fish by faith.” 

All we have is the time given us. Our lives are defined by what we do with it. I’ve chased success with mixed results. I’m uncertain of many things. Where I have confidence is in the river with my sons. Here, I know God is real. That he is good. That he loves my boys as much as I do, and has plans to prosper them. And, if we’re lucky, we may experience the grace of a rainbow trout.

Action Steps

• Plan the activities you want to do with your kids, and the food you want to eat.


• For a packing list and menu ideas, download my free 5 ESSENTIALS OF A GREAT CAMPING ADVENTURE.