“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.
