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.

Middle Earth Crud Wars

This week camp was filled with high energy as 12-14 year old campers ran around camp playing crazy games that I got to help prepare. This week our theme was "Middle Earth" as in "Lord of the Rings." We had Hobbits, Elves, Dwarfs, and Men battling eachother all week long. The campers favorite game we played was the "Crude Wars." One day we had our Hobbit campers, Elf cameprs, Dwarf campers, and our Men campers create some amazing forts. The next day each fort was stocked with water, flour, shaving cream, and oats. Suddenly battles were erupting everywhere as campers...and counselors were covering everyone with "crud." We were also able to play the camp favorite, Mission Impossible. There were even rangers on horses helping to patrol the borders. One night black riders rode around camp as the campers scrambled into their cabins. It was an amzing week. Jon-Michael, the camp speaker and a long term Echo Ranch Staff person, really grabbed the kids attention in chapel. It was amazing to see the Holy Spirit move in the hearts of middle school campers. The kids heard the TRUTH and had a great time.

Stealing the Bacon

Stealing the Bacon was a favorite game the Bronco campers (10-12 year olds) loved playing. I took these photos of some of the campers enjoying the game. This is Caleb's cabin. Khan is the one with the hot dog in his mouth. He was quite an entertaining camper.

Another cool camper was Tamera. We hung out at the begining of the week because she came early. She is from a local community. She had an awesome time at camp and didn't want to go home. She had to stay an extra day in order to catch her plane to her town. While she was hanging out with her counselor, she accepted Christ as her personal Savior. It is so cool to see how God is working in the lives of these kids. Right before she left for home she told me of her decision to follow Jesus for the rest of her life!! Isn't God so awesome!!!

Our theme for this bronco camp was "Under the Big Top." We had a real circus with cotton candy, popcorn, a bounce house, and even a clown. Our speaker, Mookie, was from Arizona. He brought a team of high school students with him. They were Junior Counselors, or they worked on work staff. They were and excellent group and I know God worked in their lives in amazing ways. One of the high school girls said that she was able to see how she could help others for the first time. She was able to see beyond her own selfish desires because she had to help take care of the campers. God continues to work in the lives of the campers, work team members, and the staff. God is Good.

Orientation in June

At the begining of June all of the summer camp counselor come out to Echo Ranch for orientation. Part of my job is training those counselors so they are ready for the summer. We are not well into the summer as we near the end of the second summer camp. Obviously I have been too busy to even blog....and the wireless internet here at camp has been a bit sketchy. But we had an excellent time at orientation even though they sat though a lot of CPR, First Aid, how to be an awesome counsleor, and even canoe safety. One of the highlights is when we go out to our Sourdough camp and spend the night. This year we weren't away for just one night...no we camped out for two night. The first night was at Sourdough camp in cabin where we slept on matresses on the floor. The high living. Then we hiked to Campers Cove and stayed at the Alaska State Park Cabin. Well at least the guys slept in the cabins and the girls slept in the tent. In the end....I was glad for the tent. Can you imagine 12 stinky guys in a cabin that comfortablly sleeps five. Yep, gross man gross. Many of the guys were wishing they were in a tent. I slept okay on the rugged Alaskan forrest floor...in my tent. We had a good time. My knees were getting a bit sore so Mishele Rhein and I iced then in the ocean water. Camp Director/Coach Rick Shaner was happy to see we were following his advice to ICE our knees....and our calfs, shins, ankles, feet, and toes. Brrrrrrr....after 20 minutes your feet are NUMB! But it was a great time and we enjoyed eating large amounts of Bacon. We might have succeded in setting a record of eating at least 5...maybe 6 consecutive meals with BACON! Oh the things that bond the staff. Overall, it was an amazing time. We have an EXCELLENT summer staff and I am excited to see how the Lord will work this summer.

Crabbing with Caleb

On Sunday, Caleb, myself and many other Echo Ranch Staff went crabbing. This is a regular Sunday activity at Echo Ranch which helps provide the Sunday night food. This was Caleb's first time to actually kill the crab. He was quite the champ.



It has be a blast having my little brother here at camp. He has already hiked Hogsback...and survived, killed a crab, and he even did the trust fall. Counselor Orientation is in full swing. I love this part of the summer because I can really get to know the counslors as I teach them how to be counselors. God has good things in store for this summer. We have an awesome summer staff.

Fun With Friends

What a beautiful day today has been. Warm and sunny!! Today a school group left before lunch and we didn't have another group until Friday night. A break!! What a treat. So the ERBC staff took a boat ride on the Blondia (Echo Ranch's landing craft) and went on a pinic. What a treat. Chillin by the fire roasting some brats. Fun times. Here Nanci Jo, Annie, and I are enjoying the sunshine the Alaskan way...with long sleeves! We had a grand time, saw a few seals along the way and even checked out the road to the mine on Lion's Head Mountain and some waterfalls. After chatting with some of our summer staff on some huge rocks on the beach, we headed back to camp and played some beach volleyball. I am getting really excited about counselor orientation. It begins on Tuesday!! It is one of my favorite things about the summer!! The counselors have begun to arrive. On Saturday my brother, Caleb, arrives in Juneau! He is going to have a great summer here at Echo Ranch! I can just tell that the Lord has some good things in store for the Summer of 2006.

My Office

Yes, look at this beautiful backdrop in my office. Yep I got mountians, the ocean and even the forest. Sweet. It has be beautiful here. So nice in fact, I have been able to email outside on my deck and soak up the sun. It is almost tropical (at least to the typical Alaskan it is at a warm 67 degrees.) Love it, this is why I live here in God's beautiful creation.

The counselors are arriving and Brittany Wheldon sits with me right now. As a returner she has great wisdom to offer first time counselor, "Pray about everything you do and have FUN!" I think this sounds like good advice for life!

Super Flyer!

I was in Juneau on Friday May 12th, and since the gas tank to my car is still broken I must rely on others for ride. Lance and Jess were bringing in the groceries on a Blondia (boat you can drive a car onto) run. Sweet, I will go along. So we get to camp...and drive onto the beach. Since Lance, Jess, and Eli fill up the grocery truck, Lance suggests that I ride on the hood of the grocery truck. RELAX...I was not totally stupid. No I was only slightly smarter. Yep...I seem to think it would be a great idea to ride holding onto the side of the truck. There were some foot hold and a handle on the side. So I climb on with my left hand and left foot on real foot holds/handles. My right hand was holding onto the top of the grocery truck and my right foot was in a round hole in the side of the truck. "Yeah, I can do this!" I think. Lance decides to go to the camp office before he goes to the dining hall to put the mail away. Longer ride. Hmmm...."Hold on tight, I think." Well we are almost there and Lance is doing a great job at going slow and missing toys staff kids have left in the road. But then when I am about 100 yard from the destination...I notice my right hand hold (made of plywood) has started to crumble in my hand due to just being old. "No problem, Bonnie....just move your hand down," I think. I do that....it also crumbles. After three moves...I can't reach any farther. Now I am sure you are thinking, Bonnie, why did you not tell Lance to stop. Well at that point I was fighting for survival....my mind was focused on holding onto the truck. So, you guessed it....my hand lost it's hold and down I went off of a moving vehicle. I hit my right hip hard and my head slammed into the ground. Thank God for the sandy soil of Echo Ranch. I am sore and probably had a concussion, but no open bleeding or such. Now, due to my amazing luck and ability of making a fool of myself...the entire crew of staff kids was playing in the playground (right in front of where I fell) and a good portion of the staff was close by also. Many saw me fall. Sweet...total embarrassment. When Lance heard me sheik as I flew off, he stopped the truck. All I wanted were my glasses, which shot off my head when I fell. Jess found them on the other side of the truck & in front of the truck....who knows! But they also survived...like me a hearty pair of eye-wear! So needless to say I am SORE!! My new best friends are Extra Strength Tylenol and Ibuprofen. Nice mix. I still hurt, but and able to function and do dishes, meal preps and other activities expected here at camp. I went to see my chiropractor on Monday. Overall I think I just whacked out my spine. My chiropractor, Dr. B gave me some sweet lotion that helps reduce the pain!! Love that! I can now function MUCH BETTER! Continued prayers for pain relief would be coveted. God is good and he kept me safe even from my stupidity. Yes, Yes, I am the Super Flyer!

Bonnie Squared

Check it out!! Check it out!! There are two of us "Bonnies" at Echo Ranch. This is Bonnie Toffness from MN. She is way cool and very creative!!! I love that. She is a great painter and she likes to decorate her home...sound familiar...well at least the decorating part? Her and her husband, Bruce, have come up to Echo Ranch on a work team the last few years. I think both of us enjoy saying hi to each other. It usually goes, "Hi Bonnie." "Hi Bonnie" How often does that happen. (Yeah, I know a ton with Saras or Amys but hardly ever with Bonnies.) It is like one is a million. What a joy to have another friend named Bonnie!! (That is Kay in the background also from MN. Crazy how thats my middle name!)

Tack.Barn.Dock

Mio & Mishele Rhein are the Echo Ranch Bible Camp Wranglers. Here is there story of the night the barn burned down.

"Our move to camp this year was delayed because Kegan was newly diagnosed with diabetes. I was apprehensive about how all the changes would affect him and our family. We packed half of the needed things and planned to go out for the weekend but return on Monday. So last Thursday morning we moved out to camp and our fears were quickly put to rest as the cook and the staff were very welcoming and encouraging knowing our new situation.Earlier this month Mio had gone out to unpack the barn and get everthing up and running as we had a one retreit group use the horses already. The pigs were also in the barn as is was still to cold to put them in their summer pen. We purchased the usual four pigs for eating the slop when camp is in full swing. They had been in the barn for a week already without any trouble. We also had two cats that we had acquired in the Fall and kept all winter in our house as pets and we moved them into their new home in the barn as their job would be to keep the mouse population down.Friday night Claire awoke Mio as she was afraid of the dark and Mio needing to check Kegan's bloodsugar ( regular night checks during the first months of diagnosis) rose from bed and stepping into the boys room he saw the barn ablaze as the boys have no curtain in their room currently. This was 4:00am Sat. After running around the room a few times we both found the front door and halfway down the hill realized that the damage was extensive already and all we could do was watch it burn. The four pigs and two cats were unable to get out and that is still the hardest thing for the kids to deal with. There were no horses or people injured in the fire. Everything pertaining to horse program was in that barn and many personal items. The response has been incredible as Gods people have offered help in many ways and only two days later we are fielding phone calls and setting up point men and women to deal with all the responses and specific plans for rebuilding and prioritizing the gifts. A lot of memories were made in that barn and yet it still feels a little unreal. I have an amazing sense of peace about it all. God has something different in mind for the horse program and now we are priveldged to be a part of its recovery and growth.Mio and Mishele
Our move to camp this year was delayed because Kegan was newly
diagnosed with diabetes. I was apprehensive about how all the
changes would affect him and our family. We packed half of the
needed things and planned to go out for the weekend but return on
Monday. So last Thursday morning we moved out to camp and our fears
were quickly put to rest as the cook and the staff were very
welcoming and encouraging knowing our new situation.
Earlier this month Mio had gone out to unpack the barn and get
everthing up and running as we had a one retreat group use the horses
already. The pigs were also in the barn as is was still to cold to
put them in their summer pen. We purchased the usual four pigs for
eating the slop when camp is in full swing. They had been in the
barn for a week already without any trouble. We also had two cats
that we had acquired in the fall and kept all winter in our house as
pets and we moved them into their new home in the barn as their job
would be to keep the mouse population down.
Friday night Claire awoke Mio as she was afraid of the dark and Mio
needing to check Kegan's bloodsugar ( regular night checks during the
first months of diagnosis) rose from bed and stepping into the boys
room he saw the barn ablaze as the boys have no curtain in their room
currently. This was 4:00am Sat. After running around the room a few
times we both found the front door and halfway down the hill realized
that the damage was extensive already and all we could do was watch
it burn. The four pigs and two cats were unable to get out and that
is still the hardest thing for the kids to deal with. There were no
horses or people injured in the fire. Everything pertaining to horse
program was in that barn and many personal items. The response has
been incredible as Gods people have offered help in many ways and
only two days later we are fielding phone calls and setting up point
men and women to deal with all the responses and specific plans for
rebuilding and prioritizing the gifts. A lot of memories were made
in that barn and yet it still feels a little unreal. I have an
amazing sense of peace about it all. God has something different in
mind for the horse program and now we are priveldged to be a part of
its recovery and growth."

Mio and Mishele Rhein

Barn Fire!!!

This morning as I walked to breakfast, I was told that the horse barn burned to the ground last night. Around 4:30 am Mio Rhein, the wrangler, woke up to find that the barn was burning out of control. He thinks the barn was probably burning for about an hour before he woke. Some of the staff were awakened to help deal with the fire. The wind spread the fire to the loading dock where campers get on and off the horses. Nobody was injured in the fire and it was contained to the barn and dock.

The barn held all of the Echo Ranch Bible Camp horse tack. This includes saddles, bits, bridles and anything needed to ride a horse. The four camp pigs and the two barn cats were also lost in the fire. Mio was storing most of his tools in the barn a long with their four wheeler and three of their families bikes. The barn was burned completely to the ground. A few chared posts still stand, but the barn and the loading dock are totally destroyed.

This weekend Echo Ranch had middle schoolers from Juneau City Youth Council (JCYC). The campers were very concerned about the horse program. The horses are a highlight for children in Southeast Alaska. Echo Ranch is one of the only places were kids can come and ride a horse in the non-farming settlements of Southeast Alaska.

This fire produces some unexpected needs for the Echo Ranch 2006 Season. Quality horse tack is needed to run the Horse Program and Horse Camp. The Rhein family also needs items to replace what was lost in the fire. Mio and Mishele both have a great attitude and said, "Well, I guess God thought we had too much. Now we have the opportunity to see how the Lord will provide." Please lift up these needs to the Lord. Mio and Mishele and their four kids: Chance (8), Kegan (6), Claire (5) & Collette (5) would also appreciate your prayers as they deal with this unexpected loss.

Snow, Snow, Snow, Snow & a Rainbow?

I am for sure in Alaska since today, April 20, 2006, we had nice big white flakes coming down from the sky. They didn't stick!! Praise the LORD!!

Spring...anyone? Well it does say, "April Showers." We did have a bit of rain this afternoon and a beautiful rainbow! How amazing! Right over the woodwshop. I am also LOVIN' the amount of daylight that comes with April. I can walk home at 9pm without a flashlight! Now 10pm is still a bit too dark for that, but Whoohoo 9pm and no flashlight!!!!

Whales!

The humpback whales have arrived and are swimming in Berners Bay frequently! Today I saw one just tooling around having a good ol' time.

Flying Canoe

On Monday I was working with Bill and Rick to get everything ready for our first offical retreat group. A school group is here today! Rick and I were unloading the canoes on the front beach and both of us noticed the red canoe the guys use to go out to the skif nicely sitting on the beach. About a half an hour later, Matt comes over on the radio, "Why is the red canoe out by the skif?" The guys went to check it out. It was so windy that the wind picked up the canoe and it did a couple of summer-salts, only hitting the sand twice before it landed right side up on the water. Then it made a mad dash for Lion's Head Mountain across the bay! Reed and Rick had to go chase after it in the skif. The red canoe has been recovered. That is what I call CRAZY WIND!! We are really having some CRAZY WEATHER! This morning I woke up to fresh snow on Hogsback mountain and today I experienced snow/rain going sideways. BBBBrrrrrrrrr.

Good Morning World

Good Morning World!! Well, I am happy to say that I think I have finally got this blog figured out. There was some kind of glich, but my friend Lance helped me get everything worked out!! Thanks Lance.

As you can see, today is a "warm" Alaskan spring day. By warm I mean I did not see snow flurries this morning and my sweatshirt and down vest were plenty warm as I rode my bike to breakfast in the dining hall. What a beautiful day! Notice the lack of snow. It is warming up!

Today is also a very special day. It is my brother Caleb's 20th birthday. I can hardly believe that he is that old. I remember when he would....okay Caleb I won't share any embarrassing stories. Caleb is so cool he is going to come up to AK to hang out with his favorite Alaskan-ME- and be a camp counselor at Echo Ranch. I can hardly wait for him to get here!!

April at Echo Ranch

Life at Echo Ranch is always a joy. Usually we get to move out around April 15th...TAX DAY! But this year we had the privledge of moving out to camp earlier. I moved out on March 29, 2006. There was snow everywhere!! What a beautiful spring.

Check out this picture I took on April 1, 2006 of the snow pile on my back deck!! There was so much snow I couldn't even open my door. Now on April 14, 2006, just two weeks later the snow is gone. There are just a few piles here and there around camp. The snow caused a lot of problems. The "Staff House" where I live was without water for 5 days. I felt like I was a pioneer, except for the internet connection that I have.....hmmmm...I guess it is not the same. Let me tell you, when you do get water, it is an amazing gift from God. The water I have now is a hose to the building. So it is sort of touchy system. But I am very thankful for the water!