Christians are cool

Former camper parent:

Camp of Champions was the first place my son ever went where he realized that Christians could be cool.

Disciple-making

So encouraging to see a Site Director meet with two JCs from the summer.

Looking forward to hearing how God uses it!

Why staff raise for bowl a thon

I recently sent a few questions to some of our summer staff who made a jump in what they raised for bowl-a-thon from 2011 to 2012.  I loved their answers to the question "Why did you do a better job this year than last year?"

I tried harder because I knew from the previous year how much of a positive effect COCUSA had on the kids' lives. After working one summer, I cared so much more for the kids and wanted more to be able to come to camp and hear the Bible stories and the gospel so that they could know Christ.

Because after having more experience at camp and getting to know the kids even better I realized how much each one needs to be there for different reasons and how important bowlathon is.

I got to see God do so many awesome things last summer and it made me want to raise more money. I also came into contact with a camper's parent at my other job during the summer and she told me how thankful she is of camp giving her a scholarship for her child to come every week. 

After spending more time with the kids the rest of last summer I realized I wanted to do a better job raising money to send them to camp. -Tori Going into camp this summer I already knew a lot more about camp than I did last year. I had built relationships with campers last summer (2011). I had stories to share and I had more of a passion for the ministry of camp, having seen over last summer (2011) the great effects of camp on the campers.

My desire to raise more came from two things. The first being the changed lives I saw in the precious summer I worked at cocusa and the second being my general love of cocusa's ministry and a desire to see growth by multiplying the number of children attending.

Mentoring

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.

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.

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..."