A former site director and counselor contacted me about meeting with a camper she had when she worked at camp.
This camper reached out to her and wanted to start meeting regularly.
It's pretty cool that they had such a good relationship that over a full year from regular interaction the camper still felt comfortable contacting a staff member.
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
September Newsletter
Hebrews 4:12 says that "the Word of God is living and active." At Camp of Champions we really believe this and for that reason we desire that campers and staff get into God's word as much as possible. It's His Word that changes lives, more than any creative teaching, fun activity, or character building program ever could. Here are some snippets of God's Word from this past summer:
Throughout the summer, our staff noticed an increasing number of campers bringing Bibles to our morning assemblies. Each day we told them story from the life of Jesus and the campers wanted to know the Scripture reference so they could follow along and read more on their ownlater.
We always make it clear that if a camper needs a Bible, we have one to give away to them. During a one week period at the beginning of the summer we handed out over 10 Bibles! One older boy at the East Peoria camp accepted Christ and received a new Bible from us. The next morning he had already read 20 chapters of Matthew!
A younger boy at our Morton camp was determined to read the entire Bible. In order to make sure he didn't miss anything, his plan was to underline every word that he read. Our staff observed that he already had underlined entire books in his Bible. Tedious yes, but his heart for God's word is exciting to see.
We also try to get the Word out to parents. We challenged our Pekin campers to re-tell the story of Jesus temptation and first miracle to adults they knew outside of camp. Twenty-two kids took our challenge and as a result at least 119 adults heard these stories from God's word.
Finally, each morning our staff participate in a morning meeting which includes a devotional thought from God's word. Here is what some of them said about that time:
"I learned new things from Bible stories I've known my whole life, which was cool. Also, in the morning devotions, studying specific people in the Bible really helped me to grow into the person God wants me to be."
"I have definitely learned, been encouraged and been challenged in the staff devotion times in the mornings."
"Having staff devos in the mornings was awesome. I loved reading a Bible passage, then digging into it with other staff."
Please pray that God's word, which has been sown in the lives of campers, staff and parents this summer, will bring about a great harvest for his glory.
Throughout the summer, our staff noticed an increasing number of campers bringing Bibles to our morning assemblies. Each day we told them story from the life of Jesus and the campers wanted to know the Scripture reference so they could follow along and read more on their ownlater.
We always make it clear that if a camper needs a Bible, we have one to give away to them. During a one week period at the beginning of the summer we handed out over 10 Bibles! One older boy at the East Peoria camp accepted Christ and received a new Bible from us. The next morning he had already read 20 chapters of Matthew!
A younger boy at our Morton camp was determined to read the entire Bible. In order to make sure he didn't miss anything, his plan was to underline every word that he read. Our staff observed that he already had underlined entire books in his Bible. Tedious yes, but his heart for God's word is exciting to see.
We also try to get the Word out to parents. We challenged our Pekin campers to re-tell the story of Jesus temptation and first miracle to adults they knew outside of camp. Twenty-two kids took our challenge and as a result at least 119 adults heard these stories from God's word.
Finally, each morning our staff participate in a morning meeting which includes a devotional thought from God's word. Here is what some of them said about that time:
"I learned new things from Bible stories I've known my whole life, which was cool. Also, in the morning devotions, studying specific people in the Bible really helped me to grow into the person God wants me to be."
"I have definitely learned, been encouraged and been challenged in the staff devotion times in the mornings."
"Having staff devos in the mornings was awesome. I loved reading a Bible passage, then digging into it with other staff."
Please pray that God's word, which has been sown in the lives of campers, staff and parents this summer, will bring about a great harvest for his glory.
Friday, September 7, 2012
Awarding Gratefulness
A camper who hasn't attended camp in 2 summers recently broke his "Gratefulness" wristband. It meant so much to him that his parents contacted me to find another one. Awards and good character are a big deal.
Note found at Pekin camp
This is a note from a Pekin camp Tyro I just found.
"Dear Staff of COCUSA:
You staff members are like my family and if God didn't bring me here I would not know where I'd be. So you guys and girls are awesome.
Yours Truly..."
"Dear Staff of COCUSA:
You staff members are like my family and if God didn't bring me here I would not know where I'd be. So you guys and girls are awesome.
Yours Truly..."
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