Youth Camp 2014 Friday

Day 6 – Homeward Bound

Breakfast on the run today - chicken on a biscuit and you’d better find some liquids. The final praise and worship featured new songs the students learned this week from The Hardcastles.  The message was from Joshua 4 describing the memorial the Israelites were commanded to prepare using stones from the Jordan River.  The stones were to be a reminder to future generations of God’s deliverance from the bondage in Egypt. Students were reminded to mark events of God’s provision in their life and to reflect on these to strengthen their faith.

After a quick wrap up with counselors they finished stuffing all those dirty and clerty clothes into their sleeping bag or pillow, sweep up the Nerds under the bed, and hop on the bus.  Students struggled to stay awake long enough to get cell reception as they reentered civilization.  Arriving at the church, the group had an eerie zombie resemblance as they awoke from the first REM sleep of the week. 

An eventful week that changed those who made the journey – Keep the memory fresh.

Youth Camp 2014 Thursday

Day 5 Thursday – The Conquest

Rain was the order of the day to start but eventually cleared to the east.  Students meditated on Joshua 1:1-9 in their 10 x 10 with the encouragement to be strong and courageous.  They were reminded that if they are aligned with God, He will provide the victory.  Through the day they studied Joshua chapters 3 and 4 and discussed how God allowed the Israelites to conquer the land with particular emphasis on the conquest of Jericho.  Students saw how waiting on God and being obedient to Him are the keys to victory over Satan and the problems they face.  Students focused on personal challenges and shared how God was working on them personally and on the group. 

The Junior/Senior group headed out on the Sherpa trail which is a narrow path along the cliff wall relying on lobster claws to keep them secured to the wall.  Several conducted anchor tests to make sure the equipment was in proper working order.  Quite a few places were slick from the rain and a challenge to keep your footing.  Everyone successfully traversed the trail the exited for a group picture at the cliff’s edge.

After lunch, they spent time on the waterfront launching from the blob and racing in the water slide.  At this point, it was discovered that the group left their contract mascot in one of the rooms and they had to leap frog to their next element, the target zip.  They finished the day with arrow tag.  After a series of close games, the sponsors and camp counselors were pitted against the students (15 on 4) resulting in a resounding victory for the sponsors – just kidding. The students put a beat-down on the sponsors taking no casualties while dispensing of the sponsors.

9^th and 10^th elements for the day included Bassball, (baseball on the water) and arrow golf.  They were scheduled for the 3,000 ft. zip but after hiking 1.5 miles to the base of the tower, lightning in the area prevented them from a launch and they had to descend back down the trail.  A major disappointment but the group kept a good attitude and soldiered on.  The middle school group started with target zip and finished with rock climbing.  Since the blog writer is a sponsor for the junior/senior group, not a lot of first hand information was available for other group activities.

All groups gathered for a mini sermon on the games field centered on the battle at Jericho.  When the first trumpets sounded, they circled the sand volleyball courts.  At the second trumpet blast, student crashed Jericho (the pavilion) for the celebratory hamburgers.  Following the praise and worship time, SHBC students gathered for a message from Jeff about Christ’s love and sacrifice for us and observance of the Lord’s Supper.  The rain threatened but once again, God held back the waters and the student spent time sharing burdens for themselves and the group. 

Heading back to the pavilion, the music volume turned up and the sponsors stood back while the students expended what remaining energy they had left.  They were also notified that the junior and senior group won the memory contest on Tuesday.  The prize was ice cream for very camper ( a lot like youth soccer) .  Praise and worship lasted until the wee hours as the students enjoyed their last night at camp. 

Youth Camp 2014 Wednesday

Day 4 Wednesday  The Law

A few yawns at breakfast but otherwise everyone was ready for the day.  French toast (or egg bread depending on your state of origin) was the entrée of the morning meal.  Everyone seems to be consuming more every day due to the energy demands on the body.   After the opening praise and worship, students were challenged to study the Ten Commandments for their 10 x 10 time.  The theme for Bible studies for the day was the role of God’s law in the life of the Israelites and it’s meaning for us.  Students looked at the breakdown of these laws into vertical (dealing with God) and horizontal (dealing with each other). 

Middle schoolers got an early start hiking to the 3,000 ft. zip line. God’s hand was on the scales as all campers and sponsors checked in under the weight limit although they did experience first-hand why there is a weight limit.  This group had a go at the waterfront (with major blob launchings) followed by a trek along the Sherpa trail.  9^th and 10^th graders got a full morning of Bible study in the meadow.  After lunch they made their way to the rock climbing element where bold predictions turned into quiet reality checks, but all with team support. Three ropes with different levels of difficulty were available for the campers.  A few opted for the most difficult course with varying degrees of success.  Once again we found that the old arms had a few good pulls left and scooted past the young whippersnappers on the rock face.

Juniors and seniors hit the ropes course in the millhouse complete with rain water in the folds of the blob ready to soak those unfortunate enough to fall off the walls and ropes.  Eventually everyone made it across the black hole although a few were trapped for a time on the event horizon.  They were summoned to a rescue of one of their camp staff leaders who was trapped in the collapsed mine.  After finding him a few times but not realizing it, they found the exit and made it to the safety of the west Texas sun.  In the afternoon, they wrestled snakes in record time, hiked to the Lookout and finished up at the giant swing where teamwork and a cleverly designed man-powered hoisting system lifted campers 75 feet to their launch point.  They finished off the Mine elements with a run down the sled slide, complete with action cam.

After dinner, all campers made the two mile trek up the mountain to a worship area patterned after the tabernacle of the Old Testament complete with altars, lampstands, lavers, and the Holy of Holies.  Our camp pastor walked the group through the various sections of the tabernacle explaining the symbolism of each piece.  Campers then broke into small groups to discuss how we fall short of his commandments and His provision to cover our sin.  They also shared how to overcome temptation through prayer and support for each other.  We finished the worship experience with a walk through the Holy of Holies to reflect on God’s presence and a time of praise at the cross and tomb.  The group descended from the mountain, arriving at camp well past their parents bedtime, but were able to visit awhile longer before sponsors turned out the lights.  A long, but powerful day.

Youth Camp 2014 Tuesday

Day 3 – Tuesday – The Wilderness

Not nearly as many energetic faces at breakfast this morning.  Long days, short nights and lots of sun have definitely had some effect.  Fortunately attitudes are still in good shape and everyone is game for what the day holds.  The students are not told the schedule for the day and only find out as the activity begins.   This can lead to questions for first time campers but the experienced students know the answer is always WAFO (wait and find out). Following breakfast and a gathering at the pavilion, students spent their 10 for 10 (10 minutes in study and separated by at least 10 ft. from anyone else) in Matthew 6 reflecting on God’s provision for us.

The forecast for Tuesday was a 40% chance of rain.  By mid-morning, it looked that the 60% chance of no rain would win but by noon, storm clouds and associated lightning and thunder made an appearance.  This altered the activity plans for some groups for safety reasons but the staff and sponsors came up with alternatives and made it enjoyable in spite of the rain.  The 9^th-10^th grade group explored a “collapsed” mine and rescued some abandoned stuffed animals from the land of misfit toys.  This adventure is experienced in total darkness on multiple levels and is not for the claustrophobic.  Their afternoon rec was rappelling.  Middle Schoolers had a “mountain top” experience, developing team building skills to solve tricky people movement problems.  The upperclassman spent the morning plugging holes on water barrel on the river.  They followed this up with (after a rain delay) a trek up the mountain to ride the 3,000 ft. zip line.  This line is the longest in Texas, third longest in the US, 8^th longest in the world, and longest in the world with four cables.  The hike is about mile and a half up the mountain (a 20 minute hike) and the descent is about 1 minute. Following the 3K zip, the crew headed back up the mountain to Windmill, which is the highest point on the property.  It is also the first place to receive rain which is did for most of the 30 minute Bible study. The study focused on the Exodus account of the Israelites as they left Egypt traveled into the wilderness.  They discussed how their lives compared to the children of Israel and how they can work together to strengthen their walk with Christ.  The group made their way back to camp following the outer boundary and about 3 mils in length.  With incredible timing, they arrived just as manna was being served.

After supper, the groups assembled in the pavilion for praise and worship.  Continuing the theme of the day, the camp pastor challenged the students to rely on God as they travel through their “wilderness”.  In the small group recap session after the service, students shared their wilderness challenges and ways they can work with each other and with God to conquer the enemy.  

Youth Camp 2014 Monday

Day 2 – Goodbye Egypt

After a breakfast fit for children of the King (including Sugar Frosted Flakes but not breakfast of champions), campers headed to a session on contracting. Not what you’re thinking.  This is a contract of accountability and support for each member of their small group.  Students were challenged to be proactive in looking out for each other and forming a hedge of protection.  To commemorate this activity, the contract was written and signed on a unique object that would not be easily be lost.  You can spot this in the pics.  Unfortunately the 9^th-10^th grade group misplaced their pink manager which was picked up by a camp staffer.  It was returned at the evening gathering and the group had to leap frog to dinner.

Activities for our campers were wide ranging for the day.  With temperatures in the upper 90’s and lots of walking and hiking, hydration was the rule of the day.  One group had a physics object lesson at Shipwreck with emphasis on teamwork.  Another group hit the water front where there creativity on the zip line resulted in a new set rules and a repair crew.  Others chartered a course on the open water (ok a 3 ft. deep river) in kayaks.  Afternoon activities included climbing obstacle courses and more hiking and bible studies.  In the Millhouse, teams competed in traversing (they learned a new SAT word) a blob bag which alternately represented quicksand and a garbage dump.  Campers (and certain sponsors) used ropes, nets, peg boards; random dimensional lumber and even rope swing monkey bars to avoid the dreaded hazards below.  One group found creative ways to launch unsuspecting campers airborne.

The focus for the day was on remembering the plight of the Israelites in Egypt and God’s provision of deliverance through Moses obedience to His call and the plagues God used to convince Pharaoh to let his people go.  Students saw how the captivity and deliverance were foretold hundreds of years before in God’s direction to Abraham.  They were reminded of His faithfulness to remember our situations as well and to provide deliverance through His Son.

In the late afternoon, when wagons were dragging, staff prepared a high intensity game with multiple activity stations requiring keen memory skills and teamwork.  Students showed a lot of grit while the sponsors chilled in the lounge (well not all but those that didn’t wished they had).  Upper classman scored at fantastic 59 points which may be enough for the winner’s trophy (free ice-cream).

Dinner was a hit with flour tortillas, pork, white rice (what – no Spanish rice), black beans and salsa with a decent bite.  Rolling out of the dining hall, we proceeded to the Mine amphitheater for praise and worship followed by a message by the camp pastor.  From there, small groups headed to the play fields to sit on hard rocks in a mostly round circle and discussed the day’s activities and challenges to living a committed life. 

After showers (for most) it was a few more minutes of group chat and down for the count.  Some campers have a lot of walking miles in their future tomorrow!

Youth Camp 2014 Sunday

Day 1 Sunday – And they’re off

The SHBC youth adventure team left the parking lot bound for points north and west.  A mere 2-1/2  hours (and 20 miles out of cell phone coverage) later the SHBC caravan of a 55 passenger bus and three support vehicles  converged with another bus and 15 cars for the final 8 miles of hills and dirt on a one lane track. After eating dust for 30 minutes we arrived at the camp check-in.  The bus was quickly emptied of students and their voluminous gear with everyone looking for the closest shade tree. 

Students met their camp staff leaders who kicked off some get-to-know-you games.  The kids picked these up quick, the sponsors – not so much.  One particularly interesting game involved competitive screaming and in the junior-senior high group, you guessed it, a parent won.  The old guy has got a set of lungs.

Next the group met for the kickoff praise and worship.  Our speaker for the week did a two minute summary of last year’s lessons in Genesis then picked up where we left off and introduced the theme for 2014.  We were all designated Children of Israel and headed to the Mine for traditional Egyptian food and a skit by the camp staff depicting the death of Pharaoh.  Our camp pastor explained how things changed for the children of Israel with that event and what they (and we as designated Israelites) would have to endure.  The leaders then marched the students to toil in the brickyards where they have to scrape together dirt, rocks and straw to prepare their bricks.  The sessions ended with sharing about who God is and what he means to us in good times and bad.

Students had free time until lights out which they used for games, snacks, and talking, and talking, and talking…  Sponsors retired to the camp lounge for some well-deserved soft drinks and Wi-Fi.  Good night for now, breakfast is at 8