Burgers and Biking

On Sunday the campers showed up for the last camp of the summer. It was another week of specialty camps. This week we offered horse riding, cooking, dancing, biking and space. I was helping out with bike camp and there was only one girl signed up so she was my only camper. Rachel B. and her campers were in the same side as my camper and I so we combined with them when we did Bible study and candle power. Campers showed up around 4:00 p.m. and when all of the campers from our cabin showed up we went to the rope swing. This was my second time there and some of the kids were really excited while others weren’t. They wanted me to go on it so I decided I would and it went just about the same as the time before that I had went on it and I got rope burn on my legs and a bruise on my thigh. After supper we played Eagle’s Eggs for night game and then we headed off to campfire where Steven gave a good opening message.

On Monday Marty did the Chapel message and he did his message about us being like a coffee mug. I learned something new each time I hear him do that message. For bike camp Magnus and I were the counselors and a JS, Ryan, helped us. The first day we went over the rules and talked about bike safety. The kids probably didn’t enjoy it all that much, but it was something that we needed to do. For waterfront time I was supposed to have sports courts, but I figured since it was so hot none of the campers would want to play anything. So I took a book with me and I finished it. For cabin choice we decided to do archery. It was really fun watching the girls do this. Kristin gave the message at campfire and it was about perseverance.

On Tuesday Josh and Kade had a very funny skit during Chapel. It was probably the funniest skit of the summer. The kids really enjoyed it and the message he gave after it was really good for all of us to hear. There are things in the world that try to get us to do certain things by telling us a certain things that aren’t true. For bike camp, we put on water bottle holders and got the bikes to fit each camper. Then we took them to the sports courts and had them go around cones and practice their skills. For waterfront I didn’t have to do anything so I hung out in the ac because it was really hot out. For cabin choice our group did mercy meals. We filled little bags with certain foods and seal the bag. They will be sent later to people who need them. Rachel B. did the campfire message and it was the same that she had done before. Once again I learned something new that she had talked about. Since it was so hot we decided that we didn’t want to play night games so we decided to have movie night instead. We watched Toy Story 3.

On Wednesday Kade gave the Chapel message about us being the body of Christ. He used the Avengers theme. For bikes we traveled into town right after Chapel before Bible study. We were going on a trail in Columbus by a lake. After a few miles we stopped and did our Bible study together as a group. Then we traveled a little bit more. We figured that we rode about six miles. This was probably the most miles any of the campers had done, but they seemed to enjoy it. For cabin choice we decided that we wanted to do the challenge course. We were headed there and Rachel B. somehow hurt her ankle when we were close to the first challenge. I decided that we needed to take her back to the main lodge so I gave her a piggy back ride back there so she could get it looked at. So we decided we were going to stay in the main lodge and hang out. For night games we played China Bibles. My camper had a loose tooth and her mouth was hurting her and she didn’t want to play and I didn’t feel like running so I got to do the part where I sat at the sports court and campers would come to me once they had enough “money” to buy a Bible. At campfire I gave the message. I talked about Peter walking on water and I tried to walk on water, but obviously I couldn’t so I ran into the water. I talked about how we sometimes doubt Jesus like Peter doubted Him and listed some things that we doubt. Then I read them a verse about Christ living in us that we should look at when we are in doubt.

On Thursday Rachel A. gave the message about Chapel about perseverance. We sometimes struggle with things, but we have to be patient and work through the hard times. For bike camp we decided that we wanted to take the kids on a few trails at camp. Then we had to take off the water bottle holders. We then cleaned the bikes up. For cabin choice the campers decided they wanted to stay swimming. They swam for awhile before we went back to shower. For night games we played Outpost. This was way more fun for me this time because I actually got to try to catch the opponents and not stay hidden because I wasn’t worth a lot of points and I had more than one life. The campfire was the last campfire of the summer. Dan gave the message that was the same as last week about him being a living sacrifice. It was a favorite of the campers. It was a sad campfire because I was thinking about the whole summer and how many we have had and the fact that that was the last campfire of the summer.

This morning Beth gave the message at closing Chapel. It was about the theme of our summer. ALIVE. She talked about so many things that are huge and they were really mind blowing. And she talked about Christ being alive in us and that we need to share His word to others. After the campers left we cleaned a little bit. Then we had a staff meeting and talked about things that were going to be happening these next few days before we all head home. Tonight we are going out to eat as a staff.

~ But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ – by grace you have been saved. – Ephesians 2:4-5