Oh what a week of insanity! Children’s ministry is full of them but none as crazy as camp. I’ve been a part of several summer kids camps in the past and I have to tell you they are all one whacked out week of controlled chaos. Your schedule each day is very regimented and there isn’t a minute spared but add in the fact that you’re dealing with 9 – 11 year old kids and that’s where the wheels go flying off.
This week at Centrikid, our COC kids were introduced to one pretty cool camp. Every day was chock-full of sun-filled activities, large group assemblies, Bible Study, special interest tracts, etc., and all of it fueled by some pretty darn good eating cafeteria style. As mentioned, every minute was accounted for. The camp runs like a well-oil machine and every one of the folks who lead it are less than 25 years old. I believe that the camp director may have been a little older than that but not much more. Most were about 18 – 19 years old.
In any camp you want the kids to have a great time and learn about Jesus at the same time. You ideally want those kids who do not know Jesus to make that decision to do so. We had one kid that decided to make that commitment and I couldn’t be happier. He’s a sweet kid who is a good listener. In fact, after he decided to pray to God for Jesus to be the new boss in his life he then told me he wanted to tell others about Jesus. That was pretty cool because he not only listened he saw where other kids should hear the good news.
Here’s 10 highlights from camp:
#1) Joshua accepting Christ!
#2) Joshua wanting to tell other kids about Jesus!
#3) Helping to coach the Flag Football activity – I got to be my old high school football coach for a short time. I felt like putting on some short polyester shorts and tight shirt.
#4) Spending time with fellow camp leaders. I really enjoyed getting to know Keith & Larry better. Really great guys!!!
#5) Having my wife at camp with me. She is my best friend and I simply couldn’t do life without her. Here’s a real flattering picture of her at camp. Hottest leader at camp!!!
#6) The food was really pretty good, the showers hot, the AC worked great!!!! No complaints!
#7) The large group assembly time – it was just big time fun.
#8) Getting away from the daily grind for a short time. It’s not necessarily restful at all but it’s different and change is good. Here’s me with shaving cream on my face from the Organized Mass Chaos activity. Shaving cream at camp is a necessary thing.
#9) Talking to and teaching kids more about Jesus and God’s plan for their lives. I saw lights come on for some of the kids and that’s huge. For some kids in our group Jesus may be the only hope they have in their lives; everything else at home is a wreck!
#10 Spending the whole week dedicated to praising & delighting in God. – Every day should be like camp!
I actually can’t wait until next year for camp. I believe that we started a wonderful thing this year by letting these kids have this experience. Hats off to Centrikids for running a great camp!
Until next post – Cheers!
Brian
Be Care Full! 
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