TLC: Flying High with TLC's Program on Raptors

The Learning Current, a program of the Lake Campus at Fellowship Camp and Conference Center, recently hosted a captivating program on the ancient art of falconry. Joining us via Zoom from Colorado was Anne Price, President of the Raptor Education Foundation, who brought centuries of history, modern practice, and even a live falcon into our homes.

What Falconry Is (and Isn’t)

Anne began by helping us understand what falconry truly is: the art and practice of hunting with trained raptors. She explained that falconry is not simply keeping birds of prey in captivity, but instead a highly skilled partnership between human and bird. With roots stretching back thousands of years, falconry is one of humanity’s oldest forms of hunting and continues today as both a cultural tradition and a conservation-minded practice.

Through a series of engaging slides, Anne introduced us to the specialized equipment falconers use—hoods, gloves, and jesses among them. She walked us through the step-by-step process of training a raptor, a method built slowly on trust and respect for the bird’s natural instincts. Only once a bird feels comfortable does the real training begin.

Anne also emphasized that falconry today is highly regulated. In many countries, aspiring falconers must pass rigorous exams, complete lengthy apprenticeships, and hold permits before ever hunting with a raptor. She reminded us that this careful oversight reflects falconry’s modern emphasis on conservation and responsible wildlife management. Many captive raptors, she noted, actually live longer, healthier lives than their wild counterparts, thanks to protection from predators and natural hazards.

Meeting Yelchin

The highlight of the evening came when Anne introduced us to her falcon, Yelchin. With calm assurance, she demonstrated how a falconer places a hood over a bird’s head to soothe and settle it. For many participants, this glimpse of the human-raptor bond brought the entire presentation to life.

This program was part of The Learning Current’s ongoing mission to bring high-quality educational experiences to our community through the Lake Campus at Fellowship. Whether exploring the natural sciences, history, or culture, The Learning Current creates opportunities to connect, learn, and grow together.

We are deeply grateful to Anne Price and the Raptor Education Foundation for sharing their expertise and passion with us. To learn more about their work, visit raptoreducationfoundation.org.

For upcoming Learning Current programs, visit campfellowship.org.

“I Feel the Earth Move…” at Camp Fellowship

Carole King’s famous lyrics—“I feel the earth move under my feet”—have taken on a new meaning in the Lakelands region and at Camp Fellowship! No, it’s not just a song stuck in your head; in recent months, the ground itself has been humming with subtle reminders of the dynamic world beneath us.

Fellowship and the SEC have been digging into this natural phenomenon! AND NO—we’re not fielding an athletic team to compete against our favorite colleges and universities. BUT—we are working with our version of the SEC: the Science, Environment, and Conservation (SEC) Committee of the Camp Fellowship Board of Directors. This group of ecologists, geologists, engineers, foresters, biologists, and thoughtful community members helps ensure that Camp Fellowship lives into its mission by engaging in sound ecological management, ongoing research, and meaningful exploration of the natural world.

The SEC at Work

The influence of the SEC can be seen throughout camp life—from guiding sustainable forestry practices to shaping programs that encourage wonder and respect for God’s creation. Their insights have been particularly valuable in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, when Camp Fellowship faced not only the loss of hundreds of trees but also new questions about the resilience of our land and waterways.

Most recently, the SEC turned its attention to a surprising natural phenomenon: earthquake swarms in the Coronaca area, just a few miles from Camp Fellowship.

Earthquake Swarms in the Lakelands

As detailed in a recent paper prepared by the SEC, prior to Hurricane Helene there had only been six earthquakes in the Coronaca area since 1980. In the year following Helene, however, scientists recorded two swarms totaling 26 earthquakes—all small in magnitude but unusual in frequency .

The committee’s research highlights several possible contributing factors:

• Extreme rainfall events—such as Helene’s 9 inches of rain in September 2024 and another 7 inches in August 2025—may have filled deep fractures and faults, reducing friction and making it easier for pressure to “pop.”

• Geologic features of the area support a direct correlation of seismic activity with the rainfall events.

• Loss of mature trees during Helene disrupted the natural water cycle, reducing the landscape’s ability to absorb heavy rains and filter water gently into the soil.

Why It Matters for Fellowship

So why does a camp care about earthquake swarms? Because Camp Fellowship’s mission is about more than recreation and retreat—it’s about helping people connect deeply with the created world. Understanding the science behind our environment equips us to be better stewards, educators, and neighbors.

The SEC’s work reminds us that creation is active, complex, and worthy of our attention. By monitoring changes, asking big questions, and considering the ecological impacts of events like hurricanes and earthquakes, Camp Fellowship continues to grow as a place of discovery, resilience, and faith.

What’s Next?

The SEC is recommending several steps, including the installation of a seismograph and weather stations at Camp Fellowship to establish a baseline for future study, mapping fault-related rock types on the property, and monitoring how groundwater levels respond to heavy rains. These initiatives would not only help us understand the science of our land but also open new educational opportunities for campers, students, and community members.

A Closing Thought

At Camp Fellowship, we really can say: sometimes we do feel the earth move under our feet. These small tremors invite us into a deeper appreciation for God’s creation and a renewed commitment to stewardship. Thanks to the SEC, Camp Fellowship is helping lead the way in blending faith, science, and conservation right here in the Lakelands.

TLC: Beekeeping 101

The Learning Current hosted Local Beekeeper Chad Farrell on September 2, 2025

Chad Farrell shows some of the protective equipment used in beekeeping.

On Tuesday, September 2, 2025, community members who visited Camp Fellowship for The Learning Current had the unique opportunity to learn firsthand about the fascinating world of bees. A special guest, local beekeeper Chad Farrell presented an engaging lecture on the vital role honeybees play in our ecosystem, the challenges they face, and the joys of beekeeping.

His lecture covered topics such as the life cycle of a hive, beekeeping equipment, and sustainable practices for supporting bee populations. Attendees also heard about the practical side of beekeeping, from hive management to honey harvesting, and even got tips for creating bee-friendly spaces in their own backyards by curbing the use of toxic weedkilling chemicals and planting bee-friendly pollinator plants.

This event was attended by people of all ages, and participants had a chance to ask questions, view beekeeping equipment, observe a live working beehive and even got to sample delicious locally harvested honey.

TLC: Music from the Mills (May 13, 2025)

Exploring the Music of the Cotton Mills: A Musical Lecture by Hunter Holmes

Attendees for the May Learning Current program were invited to step back in time and experience the sounds of an era often remembered for its hard work, resilience, and community spirit. On May 13th, a special musical lecture, Music from the Cotton Mills, brought to life the songs, stories, and rhythms that once echoed through the local mill towns.

The unique program combined a live performance by Hunter Holmes of Laurens, with historical storytelling, offering a window into the daily lives of mill workers and their families. From ballads sung at home to the guitar tunes played at community gatherings, the music of the cotton mills reflected the struggles, hopes, and creativity of people who found expression through song even in the midst of very demanding labor.

The lecture traced the roots of these traditions, connecting them to broader American folk and Appalachian musical heritage. Listeners heard the tunes and lyrics which carried forward the cultural memory and created bonds of solidarity in mill villages across the South, particularly in the Piedmont area of South Carolina.

While performing many of the songs on different instruments, Holmes also shared anecdotes and historical context, allowing those who attended to both hear and understand the significance of this music. Participants came away with a deeper appreciation for how art and culture can flourish even in the most challenging settings.