Hello FBC Youth Missions Trip Followers.
Photo collection has been not really happening with such little "off" time for the teens. I hope to get some more up after lunch.
Yesterday was a pretty crazy day. It was cold, and then it cleared up a bit,and then it POURED! DELUGE style. We all went to the closest cover and then got everybody to the new dining hall for inside games. About an hour later, clear skies, and the pool even got reopened.
Our days (not including the rain) have been pretty consistent. Keeping to a tight schedule helps the campers. SO...here...is a run down of a non-rain changed schedule.
6:30 - staff devos (that's right! the team has been up and ready by 6:30)
7:00-7:30 - cabin devos - but actually it has been finish getting ready time.
7:30 - flag raising and morning exercises and prayers
Breakfast (and each meal) - the staff leaves to prepare the food. Including cutting into small pieces and making sure dietary requirements are being met. While this is going on, our team takes all the campers to wash their hands and make sure they have used the facilities. Then we take the campers to the dining hall. We eat on our own side of the dining hall, while the staff sits and assists the campers in eating. After that, the staff stays to eat while we take the campers to whatever is next - breakfast - cabin clean up, lunch - rest time, supper - an activity.
After breakfast
Cabin CleanUp - puppet and Bible time prep for some of us
Bible/Missions Time - We have 50 minutes with the girls and then the guys. This is when we do our puppet time. Ethan and the Science Fair (our new puppet productions recorded by you very own teens). We also teach a Verse (5 this week!) Dana does her creation story (in parts, if I remember!), we sing songs (If I were a Butterfly, My God is So Big, Lord's Army, God Bless America, etc.) and a Bible Story TIme with Pastor Dave.
Wrapped Around lunch and rest time (which is not necessarily restful)are different stations that the campers are divided up to do:
Lake Front - Speed Boat and Paddle Boats (they LOVE the speed boat)
Pool - We either swim or stay close
God's Helpers - Doing different work activities around the camp
Crafts - Building a lot of stuff
Snack Shack - Lots of goodies
Within these times many campers choose to just sit around and relax/color/play, which is allowed and encouraged. The teens stay with their campers where ever they go, and just interact all day.
Finally, there is supper, then an evening activity, and we do a final quick review chapel.
Campers to bed, Our team together for devos, then a snack and time with the camp staff, then to bed by about 10/10:30.
Now I am tired just typing this. Rain is starting up again!!
Off to lunch.
Pastor Dave
Boston Bound tomorrow!
Friday, July 03, 2009
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Wednesday continued...
Ahhhh. I am relaxing in front of the camp office, where I get the best web access. I can hear campers and teens singing songs (Amazing Grace and I Have Decided plus the ever present I've Got a Mansion - camper favorite)
Today started COLD and dreary. It was looking to be a tough day, but the clouds have parted, no rain was to be seen, and it is quite nice. campers are swimming and doing crafts and relaxing.
Our team has been getting quite the compliments from the staff. I have had multiple BaYouCa staff members say how patient and great our teens are. They think we are doing GREAT!
The campers are starting to ask of all if we will come back next year. They are even praying for it! This is quite a compliment, as this is one of the highlights of their year, and they would love for us to continue to be a part of it.
I am not sure how I can best explain how proud I am of these teens. They are spending almost 22 hours out of the day in the presence of the campers. They sleep in the same cabins, help them get from place to place, assist in bathroom breaks, showers, seizures, changing for swimming and pool time, Bible time, etc.
This creates a very exhausting atmosphere. Physically, mentally, and spiritually this team being pushed. Yet, they are really shining.
The only breaks are for meal time and for team devotions at the end of the night. This devotional time we review our devos (which everybody is doing very well at) and then talk about our best moments from the day. Each team member shares something that was very special to them. It is a time that we all have enjoyed very much. With lots of smiles and almost some tears. They all will have quite a few stories to tell after this week!
Tonight will be quite a night. We have the BaYouCa county fair, which involves a bunch of booths that the campers will go to. Your teens will be doing all sorts of things including being in a dunk tank, dressing up as clowns (I am looking forward to photographing that) and running different fun events.
Next up will be the WORLD FAMOUS BaYouCa Chicken BBQ! I already had a little taste, and it lives up to the billing. They have been basting and BBQing the chicken for almost 2 1/2 hours! The whole camp smells WONDERFUL!
AND, after that we get to watch the BaYouCa Precious Jewels Talent Show! It is sure to be a bunch of skits that will have us in total laughter.
One teen commented that he doesn't think he has frowned in a few days, there is just so much to smile about, and so many people are hugging and having fun.
I am trying to compile all the photos from the teens, but it is already reaching up around 400, so I will be getting the memory cards tonight and trying to sort through the best of the best.
Those will be online soon...
Thanks again for all the prayers. Thank you to those who are caring for our kids! And thank you for the encouragement by comments and by email!
We love you guys!
Today started COLD and dreary. It was looking to be a tough day, but the clouds have parted, no rain was to be seen, and it is quite nice. campers are swimming and doing crafts and relaxing.
Our team has been getting quite the compliments from the staff. I have had multiple BaYouCa staff members say how patient and great our teens are. They think we are doing GREAT!
The campers are starting to ask of all if we will come back next year. They are even praying for it! This is quite a compliment, as this is one of the highlights of their year, and they would love for us to continue to be a part of it.
I am not sure how I can best explain how proud I am of these teens. They are spending almost 22 hours out of the day in the presence of the campers. They sleep in the same cabins, help them get from place to place, assist in bathroom breaks, showers, seizures, changing for swimming and pool time, Bible time, etc.
This creates a very exhausting atmosphere. Physically, mentally, and spiritually this team being pushed. Yet, they are really shining.
The only breaks are for meal time and for team devotions at the end of the night. This devotional time we review our devos (which everybody is doing very well at) and then talk about our best moments from the day. Each team member shares something that was very special to them. It is a time that we all have enjoyed very much. With lots of smiles and almost some tears. They all will have quite a few stories to tell after this week!
Tonight will be quite a night. We have the BaYouCa county fair, which involves a bunch of booths that the campers will go to. Your teens will be doing all sorts of things including being in a dunk tank, dressing up as clowns (I am looking forward to photographing that) and running different fun events.
Next up will be the WORLD FAMOUS BaYouCa Chicken BBQ! I already had a little taste, and it lives up to the billing. They have been basting and BBQing the chicken for almost 2 1/2 hours! The whole camp smells WONDERFUL!
AND, after that we get to watch the BaYouCa Precious Jewels Talent Show! It is sure to be a bunch of skits that will have us in total laughter.
One teen commented that he doesn't think he has frowned in a few days, there is just so much to smile about, and so many people are hugging and having fun.
I am trying to compile all the photos from the teens, but it is already reaching up around 400, so I will be getting the memory cards tonight and trying to sort through the best of the best.
Those will be online soon...
Thanks again for all the prayers. Thank you to those who are caring for our kids! And thank you for the encouragement by comments and by email!
We love you guys!
Tuesday
The first FULL day of camp is complete. We are getting into the swing of things for Wednesday.
Yesterday had plenty of rain, and a little sun. Tuesday included men's and women's chapel time. We had puppets, Bible story time (Lazarus and the Rich man.
OOps, there was the bell for TODAY'S puppet and Bible time.
More Later... (hopefully)
Yesterday had plenty of rain, and a little sun. Tuesday included men's and women's chapel time. We had puppets, Bible story time (Lazarus and the Rich man.
OOps, there was the bell for TODAY'S puppet and Bible time.
More Later... (hopefully)
Monday, June 29, 2009
Sunday - Monday AM
Well, we have arrived! The teens are already interacting and playing with the campers as they arrive. They are all doing a great job.
Yesterday we travelled well through the rain. We switched up seating and who was in the van or bus at least three times; so everybody got to interact with each other.
Lunch was Cici's pizza, and supper was Burger King. We arrived @ 9:30pm and were greeted with pepperoni bread from BaYouCa.
After unloading, we had an orientation from the Camp Director, Russ Warner. He gave a very detailed set of instructions and things to be prepared for, including a slide show. After that, we had a little time of prayer and handed out our team devos for the week. Lights out was @11:30, we made it by 12!
I was very encouraged to see the team members in their Bibles and devo books this morning. Puppet stage and other props are set, cabin assignments are out, and the campers are here!
It is looking to be a great week. I will attempt to post pics and video tonight.
Thank you all for your prayers!!!
Sunday:
Monday:
ENJOY! more to come...
Yesterday we travelled well through the rain. We switched up seating and who was in the van or bus at least three times; so everybody got to interact with each other.
Lunch was Cici's pizza, and supper was Burger King. We arrived @ 9:30pm and were greeted with pepperoni bread from BaYouCa.
After unloading, we had an orientation from the Camp Director, Russ Warner. He gave a very detailed set of instructions and things to be prepared for, including a slide show. After that, we had a little time of prayer and handed out our team devos for the week. Lights out was @11:30, we made it by 12!
I was very encouraged to see the team members in their Bibles and devo books this morning. Puppet stage and other props are set, cabin assignments are out, and the campers are here!
It is looking to be a great week. I will attempt to post pics and video tonight.
Thank you all for your prayers!!!
Sunday:
Monday:
ENJOY! more to come...
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