Have you checked out the pictures yet? Looks like everyone had a great first full day at camp! Core Camp boys got to hang out in the creek to stay cool for good part of the day and from what I understand they also made it to the lake. The girls from core also made it to the lake to give the canoes and kayaks a try. I have to admit I was pretty proud of my daughter for getting in the canoe. It was one of her biggest fears about going to camp and I noticed that she actually got into a canoe. Looks like a counselor was in there with her, but she got in!

I think, for me, one of the things about my kids going to camp is the idea that they will try to do things they haven't done before. Or maybe, just challenge themselves. Have you noticed how much better our kids do when we're not around? They tend to be more open to trying new things, are able to talk about more things, and in general show us that they can truly function just fine without us hovering.

The difference between younger and older campers is also interesting. The younger campers are just so excited to be at camp. They just soak it all in and LOVE everything. The worship is new. The entire environment is just one to behold. The older campers, our Middle School and High School kids, many of them have done this before. They're now here more by choice rather than a parent just signing them up because we know how good of an opportunity it is for them. They're ready to learn and grow and have conversations. Devotions, reflection time, and teaching times can be more interesting and in depth. I'll have to ask more specifically how our older campers are doing this week in this area and fill you in on that as well.

Last night the evening activity was a Counselor Hunt. I love this idea. Wish we had done this when I was a Camp Director! What a GREAT way to get these campers working together, bonding, and figuring out exactly who all the counselors are and what they do at camp. Very impressive. Jr. High Altitude Campers had what they called an "Amazing Show Place Race". Tonight, they had field games. Should make for some good pictures for tomorrow.

Here's what's coming up tomorrow:

Jr. High Altitude will be heading out to Brevard Rock Gym and will be camping "out"

Core Camp will also be out in tents tomorrow night and will get to play Amazing Race for their evening activities. Wonder how close they make this activity to the show!

Hopefully this gives you some things to email your kids about in addition to what you've seen in the pictures. I've suggested in other blogs to write to your kids about worship experiences. The worship they have at camp is totally different than what they experience at church. Even those of you who have worship bands, it's still different. Maybe because it's at camp vs. being in a "church building". Maybe it's the lack of "parents". I don't know, but it's different. It can be powerful and eye opening. Encourage your kids to be open to God and the things they may learn while they're there. Suggest they try and remember things to tell you about their experience if they feel comfortable doing that. Those that have an eye opening experience may have questions for you. They need to have someone they can keep figuring things out with. Wouldn't it be cool if it were you they talked to about it? Go ahead and lay the ground work in your emails that you're interested in what's happening while they're at camp.

What kinds of things are you seeing in the pictures that you're glad to see? Are there any other things you'd like to see the kids doing that you haven't seen yet? Let me know what you'd like to hear about or see. Maybe I can help you out!