Teen Boys' Camp - July 2-8
- July 7th - A Trip to the Beach and Pinewood Derby
- July 5th - Independence Day Celebration
- July 4th - Egg War!
- July 3rd - Welcome Campers!
Welcome Campers!
July 03, 2006The campers finally arrived yesterday afternoon. They weren't late, but the staff was so anxious and very excited that the minutes of the afternoon crept by until their return.
We had to scramble to find enough counselors. A few auxiliary staff changed positions and we brought in some Christian Life Program (CLP) men and New Life Program (NLP) women to help as well. Right now we have seven activity and administration staff when we should be operating with fourteen. God has certainly organized it the way He wanted though, so now we plan to watch and see what great things He has in mind for these boys.
Twenty three campers arrived yesterday. They all camped out last night, and right now they are preparing for lunch. The kitchen staff expects them to eat a lot this meal, since they had to cook the last two meals over a fire (the fire seemed to eat more than the boys did.)
Prayer Requests:- One camper is having troubles keeping up with the other campers, mentally and physically. His spirits are getting down already.
- For the unsaved.
- One camper chooses not to pay attention to Lee's teaching.
- One tells tall tales and is uncomfortable in the camp setting.
- One is concerned that his parents just split up.
- The counselors are tired from staying in the woods all night.
- For half brothers who have had minimal contact in the city and are taking every opportunity to connect here at camp.
- The kitchen is battling mice, but this morning they found no evidence of the nighttime visitors. Hopefully they are winning the battle!
Egg War!
July 04, 2006
Last night we witnessed the traditional Teen Boys' Camp wide Egg War! What a spectacle they make of themselves...but, oh how much fun they have. A wonderfully competitive match between the 23 campers and the 9 staff who played ended the games; conveniently, we can't remember who won that match. :)
Everyone was able to sleep under a roof last night out of the tents. It's a good thing too, because we woke up to a light rain that was pouring on us by breakfast time. Rain always disrupts the routine at camp, but the ground was so thirsty, that it's hard to be annoyed at the disruption. It brought cooler weather today at the very least, and for that the kitchen staff is grateful! We didn't mention to them that it should warm up to the mid 80's by lunch time.
Prayer Requests:- For a camper who has been drinking in the lessons, but is definitely unfamiliar with the church.
- For two campers who are both "lost" at devotion time.
- For a camper concerned about an absent dad at home.
- For a camper who is homesick, has low energy, hurt his ankle last night, and isn't interested in spiritual things.
- That we will have a safe fireworks display scheduled for tonight.
- For tired counselors and that they ask for wisdom in talking with the campers.
- We had cooler weather today.
- The kitchen and the Nurse's Trailer appear to be winning the battle with the mice!
- Lee's chapel lessons seem to be well received so far by most of the campers.
Independence Day Celebration
July 05, 2006
What a wonderful Independence Day celebration we had last night! Sandy, the cook made us a fantastic picnic of fried chicken and potato salad, and we hauled all the picnic tables up to the volleyball field to enjoy in true Fourth of July fashion. By that time in the late afternoon, the weather was perfect for picnicking under the tree (no rain on us).
Later, after chapel, we all moved over to the ball field to watch as the guests came in car by car to watch the show. The Christian Life Program (CLP) men from the Farm outdid themselves with the fireworks. It was wonderful to see, and a good way to safely celebrate. The weather is much more camp-like today. I think it's going to be a hot one by afternoon. It will be appropriate for when we all load up in the bus for Truman Lake.
The campers are definitely getting more comfortable with the camp setting. That's both good and bad. On the one hand, the questions concerning devotions and chapel are more sincere and critical, but at the same time, comfort brings out the challenging behavior in some kids. The days are becoming more and more taxing for the counselors by now, as well. The campers are also asking questions about some very common and well accepted, but still sinful practices at home; pray that the counselors answer scripturally, and sincerely.
Prayer Requests:- That two campers would stop fighting and arguing with each other.
- For the unsaved (one of the campers bases salvation on baptism.)
- For a camper who is asking lots of spiritual questions.
- For one who needs an open heart.
- For a camper dealing with some anger problems.
- For a camper having some troubles relating with others in his cabin.
- For one who needs to learn the importance of sincerity in conversation.
- For a cabin where one boy is bullying the others.
- For a cabin counselor to have wisdom in dealing with smack talk.
- For all counselors to have energy.
- All were safe through last night's fireworks
- So far we have had a low number of discipline issues.
- The boys are taking Lee's teaching to heart.
A Trip to the Beach and Pinewood Derby
July 07, 2006Sorry we didn't get you updated yesterday. We were really busy and when we did get a chance to write, the computer deleted it before we had a chance to send it (stinky library computers!) We didn't have time to rewrite the update, so, you'll be getting two days worth today. :)
Wednesday night we packed up dinner and took the whole camp to the Truman Swimming Beach. What a great time they had. While walking through the activities on the beach, we saw a turtle, a muscle man, a shark eating the turtle, a castle, and a sumo wrestler. Inside each of these sand creations was a counselor or an administrative staff person. What great imaginations! The weather was cool, but the campers obviously had other things to keep them entertained.
Yesterday we had our late night swim. This was too cold to really enjoy, but some of them still got in on the dunking Travis round. Most of the boys, however, chose to spend their time perfecting their derby cars. All week each camper has been laboring over these derby cars. There are fun painted ones, and then really aerodynamic ones, unique models, and experimental cars. The pinnacle of the craft time will be tonight after the camp-wide water fight. We will set up the court long track, pull out the sound system, and spend a good bit of time watching race after race as the cars get eliminated to see who has the fastest model derby car.
Please pray for this last day. Usually Friday night is tough at Teen Boys. It is the time when emotions run high, and so fights are common, some of the boys also see the lack of time for consequences, and so pranks are used. In addition, this is the last time Lee will have their attention in a lesson. We will head out to the Point and have a bon fire to recognize the boys' strengths and to be challenged from the Word again.
Prayer Requests:- For one camper who is softening to God.
- For a camper who wants to remember God and the commitments he made to God this week.
- For one who needs to learn how to be obedient consistently.
- For a cabin counselor who feels his cabin is ignoring Gods conviction and he will be talking to them today about that.
- One of the campers became a Christian last night!
