Getting Ready to Go To Camp!

So it's about 11:15PM and I'm still up trying to get my two ready for camp in the morning. For my son, Nathan, this will be his first resident camp experience. My daughter went to Girl Scout camps a few years back and had a great time but hasn't been back since due to a fear of getting into canoes. But she thinks she's ready to face that fear now. They both wanted to help pack their bags, which I think is a very important thing, but would be so much faster if I could just do it on my own.

I'm almost done. I'm just finishing up that last little bit of laundry... like socks... that need to go into the suitcase. I've made a list of all the things I need to remember to pack at the last minute for them. I've run down the check list with them:

1. Please hang your towels up to dry after pool/lake/shower time. One towel is for pool and one towel is for showering. Please don't use your shower towel for the lake or pool. (Although I totally know my son at least probably will.)

2. Please put your dirty clothes IN the dirty clothes bag, or at least your suit case when you're done wearing them so they're not just laying around and get mixed up with other campers clothes. (Yeah, right! Have you EVER walked into a cabin that boys have been living in for even a day? But I figure I have to try... right?)

3. Please take a shower every day. You are going to be hot and sweaty. And it's probably not a good choice to wear the same clothes every day. We packed plenty for you to wear a different shirt at least every day.

4. Please be careful spending your money at the store. Don't forget if you want to get a treat you have to have money left over.

My kids were so good! They very patiently listened to all my requests and then some. They didn't even roll their eyes at me. Yes, it's safe to say... I've become a little neurotic. Even me, a former Camp Director. But now it's MY kids we're talking about! And I have pretty much NO CONTROL over their experience!

I have utmost confidence in the staff at Asbury Hills. I even got to speak with them on behalf of myself and any other neurotic parents out there as a parent, former Camp Director, and former Youth Director person. I also get to visit and just watch.. then blog. It's been great. But now it's my turn to send two of my kids to them and put them to the real test!

I hope that if you're reading this, you'll contribute to the blogs this week. Who knows, your kid may be in my kid's cabin! I have a boy and girl going to Core Camp this week. I will be watching the picture come up just like the rest of you this week. I'm anxious for them to not only have a great time, but for them to discover a little something about their faith journey as well. Being Pastor's kids they get hit with this stuff by default every day. They hear us talking about it, have to participate in all the activities, but we've always been very careful to attempt to teach them as any other parent would. We want them to discover for themselves but have the tools readily available. We answer questions, guide, and watch but in the end they are making their own discoveries. I can't wait for them to experience God like this, surrounded by other kids on the same journey. With counselors there to be a part of it instead of their parents. To worship in a way they haven't really experienced before. This isn't like "church". I know they're in for quite a ride this week!

So, as I'm up until the wee hours of the morning getting them and myself prepared for departure tomorrow, my prayer is that all of you fellow parents are also excited for your campers. I don't think I will be visiting camp this week (mostly by choice) to spare my kids from having me interrupt their experience. But I'll be checking in by other means. If I can help check in for you as well, let me know. If I can answer any questions, don't hesitate to ask! This blog is meant for all of us as one more mode of communication with parents and with the camp. Take advantage of it!