The Last Hurrah of Summer! 

By Lt. Colonel Cindy-Lou Drummond, Retired 

I had the privilege of spending several years of my life living and working in Pennsylvania’s Lancaster County. There are so many wonderful things about Lancaster, but I think everyone would agree that the most interesting and memorable aspect there is the Amish community. They are religious, hardworking people who live a simple life, without the benefit of modern conveniences. But not everything is as it appears. There is an unofficial, yet widely practiced, rite of passage known as Rumspringa. 

Rumspringa (“running around”) is practiced by young people who are at a crossroads in their lives — facing the decision to join the church or not. These young people often abandon their Amish tradition, usually temporarily, and “sow their wild oats” by engaging in the forbidden activities of the world. Those forbidden activities can range from driving a car to experimenting with drugs. For the Amish who experience Rumspringa, it is their “last hurrah” before settling down and committing to joining the church and remaining Amish. 

In our lives, we will have “last hurrah” moments. Some will be glorious, and some will end up disastrous. There are a few glorious last hurrahs of summer that are noteworthy.  

The Salvation Army’s camping program has evolved in response to changing times. Due to shifts in the end of the school year and the start of a new one, most camp sessions now last only five days, down from 10 days in years past. The last hurrah of each session is Jesus Theatre. Thursday night (or whenever Jesus Theatre takes place) is the new Sunday of the camping season. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ are portrayed with few words, but the message is clear. In response to the Jesus Theatre, many campers (and staff) ask Jesus to be their savior from sin. For campers, the last hurrah of the summer camp session is finding new life in Christ. 

For some, the Old Orchard Beach Camp Meetings (OOB) mark the last hurrah of summer. It’s the gathering of Salvationists for spiritual refreshment and Bible study. We celebrate the return of the Hands On teams, CAST, and Summer Brass. The last hurrah of summer at OOB is solidly one of the spirit of Salvationism. 

And it’s fair to say for our musical and creative arts comrades, Star Lake Music Camp and TAM Conservatory serve as summer’s last hurrah. These events are exhilarating, challenging, and greatly rewarding, the culmination of hard work and practice. There is a sense of accomplishment for the artists and musicians. 

Another steadfast institution of this territory used to be known as the Labor Day Camp meetings, marking the end of summer. However, like the summer camps, this last Salvation Army hurrah of summer has evolved to meet the changing times. Now known in most divisions as Family Camp, this last hurrah is for everyone. The event puts tremendous value on the family — the nuclear family unit, the corps family, and the divisional family. The emphasis for this gathering is spiritual, with a focus on preparing for the fall and the upcoming program calendar. It is a deep dive into God’s Word to equip and disciple the family of God. 

Perhaps you’ve thought about your ultimate last hurrah. Some people have a bucket list of things they want to accomplish before their life on earth comes to an end. As a disciple of Jesus Christ, I reflect on the “last hurrah” of Jesus. His was not focused on his desires but on the will of God, the Father. I also consider Jesus’ first disciples and their last hurrah, which was typically martyrdom. Their only desire was to fulfill the mission that Jesus laid before them, to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20a). The disciples/apostles stood firm in their belief and loyalty to Jesus, the Son of God, the Messiah, and for most, it cost them their lives.  

I’m not sure I will be able to orchestrate my last hurrah in life, but I know I want to follow the example of Jesus, whatever it may cost. 

Life as a disciple of Jesus may begin at one of the last hurrahs of summer. Praise God for the opportunities of this summer and the fulfillment of Matthew 28:19–20.