2012 Point 11 Crew

A couple of weeks ago I had the great opportunity to go to church camp. I was blessed to take 19 kids grades 3-6 to Point 11, a Christian Camping and Retreat Center. (http://www.point11.org/)  I have been a camper and a counselor in my lifetime.  I enjoyed both. The fun of church camp from the perspective of a camper is that you go with people you know and build friendships and bonds that will continue when you get back after the week of camp. We had a great time at camp. I increased my jewelry collection. I now have an ankle bracelet made from braided bandanas, a duct tape bracelet, an orange croc shoe key chain, and my necklace with my friendship rock from Camp 2012. Sorry to my friends who sell jewelry but it looks like I won’t be needing anything this year. I’m set.

I may be one of the responsible adults on the trip, but I have just as much fun. The heat really didn’t bother me. I actually dropped a few pounds. I caught up on the lack of sleep when I got back. I got to stay up late talking with my co-counselor. We went tubing, canoeing, kayaking, and biking. I got to dress in crazy clothes and attend a dance party that went back in time and played music from my generation. (No it wasn’t big band swing. Let’s just say we got ‘footloose.’) P.S. Thanks to a fellow blogger, Mary the Kay, for the crazy clothes.

Spiritual development can be met through retreats or camps. George Barna supplies many statistics in regards to children and spiritual formation his book Transforming Children Into Spiritual Champions. “We discovered the probability of someone embracing Jesus as his or her Savior was 32 percent for those between the ages of 5 and 12; 4 percent for those in the 13- to 18-age range; and 6 percent for people 19 or older” (Barna, 2003, p. 34). The conclusion made by Barna is to do what you can to reach them while they are young. Getting away for a week from the world can help draw children closer to God while they spend each day in worship and Bible study while forming Christian friendships and having fun through various outdoor recreational activities.

You also get to build relationships with kids from other churches. When I went to camp, we went to camp with some of the same churches year after year. We built relationships with kids and kept in touch throughout the year via ancient concept of letter-writing.  The past two summers I have taken kids to Point 11 and we have attended with the same church. We have built relationships with leaders and campers.  Kids from our church get to see kids from other churches who have similar problems and praises they have in their lives.

Church camp is a great time to draw closer to God and for kids to begin to grow deeper in their faith. Camp is a time to get away and have fun but more importantly focus on God. Kids make important decisions during this week on how to live life after they get back from camp. These decisions are made and discussed alongside peers who can help hold them accountable when they return.

Another aspect of church camp is the independence kids experience. Kids get to choose the activities in which to participate. Our camp is set up that kids take ownership in their own camp experience. Kids get to pick the activities in which to participate. Kids are responsible for their “stuff”.  Kids need to remember their Bible for worship and Bible study.  They have to make sure they get sunscreen on before swimming. They are learning some independence. At some church camps they even learn to wipe off the table after a meal and sweep the floor. If these cleaning talents fail to make home camp, counselors are not held responsible.

As a counselor, blessings abound. I, also, grow in wisdom and stature and favor with God and man. This year I was blessed to witness two kids come to know Christ in our group.  I had the joy of serving with a great set of adult counselors from our church one of which was my youngest son, Bryce. Bryce was the counselor who lead one of our kids to Christ. What a blessing to serve together with one of my children but to witness his spiritual leadership, as well. I, also, grew my friendships with the other two ladies adults who went from our church.

As adult leaders we get to participate in worship and the activities. We, too, get to experience that mountain top experience. We also get to participate in the various camp activities. This year I was able to help another leader conquer the tree tops ropes course.  This young lady had defeated breast cancer two years and wanted to tackle the ropes course. I helped her through it. I was blessed to  help her focus her strength on God during the course.

I, also, conquered a fear in the faith pole. Let me explain the faith pole. You climb up a 30-foot telephone pole and stand on the top of it and  jump off to grab a trapeze bar. Climbing is not much of a problem. Standing up on top of the pole is the scariest part for me. However, after much prayer I conquered the faith pole. Mind you this may sound scary but I am in a harness with belayers holding me by ropes.

Camp was great this year! The kids and leaders had a blast.  We are already planning for 2013. Will you be there? Whatever church you may attend, look into summer church camp for your child. You may even look into attending summer church camp as a counselor for yourself.

And that is my 2 cents worth.