The Challenge Course

One of my favorite things I have had the opportunity to do this summer is lead cabin groups through team building elements. For both the Sr. High and Maverick (middle school) campers I have been leading counselors and their campers through various activities. Such as the "TP Shuffle" (pictured above). The cabin needs to get in a specific order without touching the ground. At the end of each activity we circle up and talk. Was the cabin was successful or not? If not, why not? If they were successful, why were they successful? Then I ask my favorite question: Is there any symbolism in this activity that reminds you of the Lord or your walk with Him? One of my favorite answers for the "TP Shuffel" is that the log they have to balance on is like the Christian Life. It is a narrow path and you can't stray very far or you will fall off and you might even get hurt. If you don't get hurt, you will at least have to start over and make up what you have already done. Wow, out of the mouth of babes, I am taught to be faithful to the Lord.

This week was a Maverick week. I lead kids as they did the "Tire Traverse", where they have to swing on 5 diffrent tires and get to the other side without touching the ground. Another favorite is the "Meat Grinder". The whole cabin has to get over the giant spool (which is 6 feet off the ground) to get to the other side. I have seen campers become a "roll of tape" to get succed! This week one girl, Kate, had to face her fears of height. It was awesome to see her overcome this through the help of her cabinmates. I also had another girl, Clara, learn how to put her trust in others as they lifted her up so she was a Flying carpet. In another cabin, we spent quite a bit of time discussing how you sometimes have to put yourself out there so that others know who Christ is. That is a scary thing to do, especially when many of your friends don't believe in God. We also discussed how we have the amazing gift of Jesus Christ and how we need to share it with others so they can also enjoy the blessing of knowing the Lord personally. God continues to bless me as I work on the program staff at Echo Ranch Bible Camp.

The Crud War & Hillbilly Hoe Down All in ONE Day!

This past week was our Sr. High camp. We had 32 amazing teens from Southeast Alaska. Most were from Juneau, but we had 3 kids from Haines, one from Dutch Harbor, and two from Ketchikan. Our theme was "Hillbilly Hoe Down" and so we "Hillbillied Up" and had a sweet Hay Maze and played some serious Mission Impossible. Then to top off our week of fun we ended with the Crud War with consisted of getting wet in our "swimming pool" made out of visqueen and a dump truck. Then we busted out the flour, shaving cream and eggs. Oh to be wet and covered in flour with a touch of shaving cream and an egg or two....what a feeling. I will let you use your imagination.

We had a sweet Hillbilly Hoe Down in the Dining Hall. Complete with sawdust on the floor, peanuts in buckets and cowboy boots on the tables. It was a good time. Then the Zahasky Family played some amazing folk music for us to dine to. A good time was had by all!!

When we weren't running around playing games and being silly the campers enjoyed chapel. An old camp friend, Pete Bargas came to speak to us. He preached the Word from the Old Testiment (which I of course enjoyed a lot since I am a big OT fan). Pete challenged the kids in their lifestyles and their choices. I have talked to a couple of kids who said that they have left camp this week with a stronger relationship with the Lord. Their faith has come alive to them and they are begining to understand why it is so important to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. As a program staff person, I am constantly amazed how the Lord chooses to work in the lives of the campers. Please remember the campers in your prayers as they head back into the real world where they are no longer in the "Christian Bubble" that camp can provide. Pray that they would be bold witnesses for Christ in their homes, at school, and where they work. God can use these kids to have an amazing impact on their communities.