"Hmm...camp...such a good time! I remember when you (Deena) and Stephanie B. had to pretty much threaten me before I went to camp my sophomore year.
My favorite part about camp was the worship time. It was one of the first experiences I had where I could sing with all my heart, along with everyone else, to the Lord. It was so great to do all the motions and crazy stuff during the fun songs too.
I would definitely go back again! I think one of the first times I took forgiveness to another person on a personal level was at camp. Needless to say, it was a great thing to learn to do.
I think the only thing I could change about acmping would be more often getting together with your fellow campers, outside of summer camp. I think that would create a renewed sense [of belonging] throughout the year, instead of just during the summer."
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Christine O.
"Camp over all was just a great experience because you are taking care of [children] for a week and the campers just look up to you so much. Also, when you have a trouble maker in your cabin, it makes work even harder so they can get closer to God. After the week was over, I personally felt like the kids were my family and I know I will still keep in contact with my campers, because they have grown in their faith and so have I."
Monday, December 21, 2009
Jerrie M.
"Camping has touched my life in so many ways over the years, but never more so than my first trip to camp.
I was eleven years old and was scared to death. See, we grew up with the song 'Hello Mother, Hello Father...here I am at Camp...somethin' or another.' I had heard older kids tell about the ghost of an indian princess who wandered around at night looking for her lost love. I heard the stories of the giant rattle snakes that inhabited the hatchery. And the leaders, they all had holes in their eyelids so they would know if you were out of bed in the middle of the night. Let's just say I went in fear and trepidation, knowing I would never again see civilization.
My experience was far different from my fears. I loved swimming, evening programs, the campfire devotions, food, friends and Bible class. The most amazing thing was the people I met there. The one memory that is most real in my mind, some forty years later is seeing the camp leader (who seemed ancient in his mid-thirties) walking across the yard holding his wife's hand. Up to that time I had never seen a man cherish a woman.
My dad left our home for good when I was nine, never contacting us again until we were grown with children of our own. Before he left, there were many loud and physical confrontations between him and my mother.
It was an incredibly freeing thing to realize it was possible for a man to love a woman so much. At that moment I realized this was they way God intended marriage to be - a partnership where two peopel walk side-by-side, in total commitment.
It was increcibly freeing for me, and a moment I reflect on often."
I was eleven years old and was scared to death. See, we grew up with the song 'Hello Mother, Hello Father...here I am at Camp...somethin' or another.' I had heard older kids tell about the ghost of an indian princess who wandered around at night looking for her lost love. I heard the stories of the giant rattle snakes that inhabited the hatchery. And the leaders, they all had holes in their eyelids so they would know if you were out of bed in the middle of the night. Let's just say I went in fear and trepidation, knowing I would never again see civilization.
My experience was far different from my fears. I loved swimming, evening programs, the campfire devotions, food, friends and Bible class. The most amazing thing was the people I met there. The one memory that is most real in my mind, some forty years later is seeing the camp leader (who seemed ancient in his mid-thirties) walking across the yard holding his wife's hand. Up to that time I had never seen a man cherish a woman.
My dad left our home for good when I was nine, never contacting us again until we were grown with children of our own. Before he left, there were many loud and physical confrontations between him and my mother.
It was an incredibly freeing thing to realize it was possible for a man to love a woman so much. At that moment I realized this was they way God intended marriage to be - a partnership where two peopel walk side-by-side, in total commitment.
It was increcibly freeing for me, and a moment I reflect on often."
Heather G.
"One of my favorite memories was one summer I was working as a volunteer leader at a young life camp in Rock Bridge, VA and there was a ropes course with 12 elements, each gaining in difficulty as one proceeds through it. Oh yeah, and did I mention that it's set by a rushing river and it was high in the air?? (I am deathly afraid of heights!) So really, I didn't want to have to get on the course, but I had a camper that was also afraid of heights and she wanted to try it. She was afraid she would regret not doing it if she didn't at least try. She was just as afraid of heights as I was so I told her 'let's do this together.' She got all excited and ran to grab her gear.
Now me, you know, the one who is supposed to be the furious leader, I start freaking out! Shaking and saying 'Heather Sue, what in the world did you just get yourself into by promising this girl you would do the course with her???'
Erin (the girl) returned from getting suited up and said 'come on Heather, let's go!' So I geared up making sure all the proper clips were clipped and belts were looped. I had the fear of God in me as I took on the first element of the course. To this day I have never had an experience come close as I did this one! So Erin fearlessly sets off to jump on the course and she does it so effortlessly, then runs to hug the tree. 'I did it,' she exlaimed. 'Come on Heather, youc an do it!' But, deep inside of me I was screaming 'no you can't, this girl is crazy! I can't do this! What was I thinking??'
So attempt 1 I close my eyes and say 1...2...3...jump, but I don't jump. My body is a frozen solid block. 'Okay Heather, you can do this,' I say to myself. You know those little pep talks. Attempt number 2 'Okay, you can do this,' 1...2...3... and a little jump this time, but not even close to making it onto the first element of this course. 'Heather, get yourself together, you can do this!" By this time Erin says, 'I am giong to the next element. You better get up here, I need you!' So I muster up every ounce of courage that I have within me. 1...2...3...and I leap and look, I am jumping and floating in the air and land. 'THUMP,' I was on. I remember sayin 'Alright Erin, I'm right behind you!' Erin and I screamed and laughed, and even cried our way through parts of this course but guess what, we made it!
I remember as we got to the last element - the zip line - she was terrified and just wanted to be on the ground. She says to me, 'Heather, I can't do it, I can't jump,' and I said, "sure you can, just close your eyes, count to three, jump, and scream if you have to, or just look at your friends waiting for you at the bottom of the course!' It was true by this point my leadership team, my student leaders, and her friends, as well as some other campers were awaiting our arrival at the bottom of the course. So Erin closes her eyes and counts 1...2...but before she could get to three, the ropes guide gave her a little push and she was off screaming and zipping her way to the bottom towards her friends who caught her and congratulated her on making it throught he course. I, on the other hand, was at the course not even about to think twice. I just wanted on the ground and out of the trees. I barely made it to '1' before I jumped off the platform and zipped down the line.
As a leader this was one of the most rewarding moments. I faced my own fears as well as helped my teen realize that even when we're scared, it's okay to push through and the reward is great!
Now me, you know, the one who is supposed to be the furious leader, I start freaking out! Shaking and saying 'Heather Sue, what in the world did you just get yourself into by promising this girl you would do the course with her???'
Erin (the girl) returned from getting suited up and said 'come on Heather, let's go!' So I geared up making sure all the proper clips were clipped and belts were looped. I had the fear of God in me as I took on the first element of the course. To this day I have never had an experience come close as I did this one! So Erin fearlessly sets off to jump on the course and she does it so effortlessly, then runs to hug the tree. 'I did it,' she exlaimed. 'Come on Heather, youc an do it!' But, deep inside of me I was screaming 'no you can't, this girl is crazy! I can't do this! What was I thinking??'
So attempt 1 I close my eyes and say 1...2...3...jump, but I don't jump. My body is a frozen solid block. 'Okay Heather, you can do this,' I say to myself. You know those little pep talks. Attempt number 2 'Okay, you can do this,' 1...2...3... and a little jump this time, but not even close to making it onto the first element of this course. 'Heather, get yourself together, you can do this!" By this time Erin says, 'I am giong to the next element. You better get up here, I need you!' So I muster up every ounce of courage that I have within me. 1...2...3...and I leap and look, I am jumping and floating in the air and land. 'THUMP,' I was on. I remember sayin 'Alright Erin, I'm right behind you!' Erin and I screamed and laughed, and even cried our way through parts of this course but guess what, we made it!
I remember as we got to the last element - the zip line - she was terrified and just wanted to be on the ground. She says to me, 'Heather, I can't do it, I can't jump,' and I said, "sure you can, just close your eyes, count to three, jump, and scream if you have to, or just look at your friends waiting for you at the bottom of the course!' It was true by this point my leadership team, my student leaders, and her friends, as well as some other campers were awaiting our arrival at the bottom of the course. So Erin closes her eyes and counts 1...2...but before she could get to three, the ropes guide gave her a little push and she was off screaming and zipping her way to the bottom towards her friends who caught her and congratulated her on making it throught he course. I, on the other hand, was at the course not even about to think twice. I just wanted on the ground and out of the trees. I barely made it to '1' before I jumped off the platform and zipped down the line.
As a leader this was one of the most rewarding moments. I faced my own fears as well as helped my teen realize that even when we're scared, it's okay to push through and the reward is great!
DJ C.
":Operation.[Major]:
On the 2nd day of camp, I thought about some pranks. I found one.
On the 5th day of camp before lunch, I talked to Captain Nick about it...He loved it. So on the 6th day of camp it was time for revenge.
As everyone sat down to eat their lunch, it was time for the traditional 'mail call.' Captain Nick gave me a look as if he would explode with laughter. An unexpected victim waited as he called off the names. Everyone was watching him. He said 'hmm..what do we have here? A letter for Major Vicki!' She gave a quizzical look, but walked up front. (Those of you who have been at HFC know that you need to do something embarrassing for your mail.) Captain Nick said that she needed to sing 'I'm a Little Tea Pot' to receive her mail.
She snatched up the microphone and sang it!
If that wasn't funny enough, she sang it in the most hilarious voice known to man!
The mess hall roared with laughter.
No one could contain themselves.
As I looked around, ALL the Officers at camp couldn't breathe, nor could I. Captain Nick gave me a look of accomplishment.
I knew I got her good :)
On the 2nd day of camp, I thought about some pranks. I found one.
On the 5th day of camp before lunch, I talked to Captain Nick about it...He loved it. So on the 6th day of camp it was time for revenge.
As everyone sat down to eat their lunch, it was time for the traditional 'mail call.' Captain Nick gave me a look as if he would explode with laughter. An unexpected victim waited as he called off the names. Everyone was watching him. He said 'hmm..what do we have here? A letter for Major Vicki!' She gave a quizzical look, but walked up front. (Those of you who have been at HFC know that you need to do something embarrassing for your mail.) Captain Nick said that she needed to sing 'I'm a Little Tea Pot' to receive her mail.
She snatched up the microphone and sang it!
If that wasn't funny enough, she sang it in the most hilarious voice known to man!
The mess hall roared with laughter.
No one could contain themselves.
As I looked around, ALL the Officers at camp couldn't breathe, nor could I. Captain Nick gave me a look of accomplishment.
I knew I got her good :)
Vicki T.
"I never went to church camp, only 4-H camp. As an adult I've been to Boy Scout camp and of course now I live at one (Camp Buffalo). As an adult watching the young men who were teaching the merit badges at camp, it's been fun watching THEM 'grow up' themselves. There's several young men who were "boys" when we started bringing our troop to this camp, and now they are young men in college, some have gotten married, and it's exciting to watch the impact that Scouting has had on their lives. Of course, Scouting also TEACHES about God, so it's a great match in our family."
Leslie C.
"Well, the 2009 camping season was my first. Girl's camp changed my life the most. It was the first time I ever got to be in a leadership position. I had girls that did not know Jesus but by the end of camp after listening to me and coming to me with their problems, they not only trusted me, but trusted in the Lord too. I even had Jr. Girls come up to me in our last meeting and tell me how much I had changed their lives and all I did was listen to them, or get on to them for doing things they shouldn't. I did nothing extraordinary, but to them it made a world of difference. So yes, I plan on returning in 2010. I am currently assisting with sunbeams in our corps and I am going to be with Junior Soldiers so that I can return for Junior Soldiers camp next season too!"
Julie V.
"[My favorite part of camp] was the 'Journey to the Cross.' That's what I liked and I would go back! I would go back because it's a quiet place to be and I can listen to God. I can't really do that at home because my friends get in the way, but I would go back."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
