2011 Camp Video

Friday

Today is the last day of camp. This week has passed by quickly. Although it rained early in the week, none of our activities were impacted. Starting Wednesday we have had some of the best weather that we could hope for. For those of us who live in an urban setting, the surroundings here are a great blessing. It is so good to enjoy the fresh air, the sunshine, and the quiet.

We have talked about transformation this week. One of the transformations we see is in the spirit of all of those who are at camp. When the drop the busy lives many of us live. When we drop the things that distract us, we make room for the Spirit to move in us. There was such a relaxed spirit among the group this morning. Spending time together worshiping, studying, eating, and playing caused the barriers that exist between us to drop. Kyle Taylor's cabin led the devotional time this morning.
After lunch, Janie Loudermilk was given a memento for her 15 years as a camper and a counselor.

In Bible class they talked about transforming the world using the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. How their faith in God led them through a blazing furnace, so that when they came out of the fire the world around them was transformed.
Activities today is sweet heart kickball for the younger campers, and the cable hike for the older campers.

Today is the last of the softball and volley ball games. The champions are crowned tonight.

Awards were given out tonight. The awards are extremely well thought out and funny. Achievements such as are given awards.

We ended the day with nine baptisms. Allyson Lane, Annalise Jarnagin, Alexis Angell, Sarah Moran, Grayson Burke, Davis Lovell, Conner Crocker, Griffon Carlton, and Tanner Smith.

We ended the day with a devotional in the B lodge.

Saturday will be time to pack up and head home. It has been a great year at Camp!

-Keith Taylor

Thursday

We woke up to an absolutely beautiful day again. After three full days of camp there were a bunch of weary looking campers that arrived for breakfast this morning.

Justin Morgan gave the flag talk today. He reminded us that our country is at war. He also reminded us that we are in a war that is not against flesh and blood.

As I have mentioned the young men lead a devotional time each morning. Mark Hager's and Michael Clinger's cabin led the devotional this morning. After seeing the young men lead devotional and seeing the campers during this week I want to let you know that you children have amazing hearts. I know at times that you may wonder if they are hearing you. Let me encourage you to know that they hear you and encourage you to keep on teaching them about God.

The Bible lesson today was about David and Goliath. The campers did activities to show what it would be to face a giant such a Goliath. He was defeated by a young man after he had faced down Israel's army for forty days. David with God on his side and with his faith and courage was able to defeat the giant.

The activities for today was sweet heart kickball for the older campers. Once again with a rubber ball and some room the campers had a fun time. The younger campers hiked to Milliken's overlook. For those of you who been to camp this hike is down a smaller trail that starts at the parking lot at Buzzard's roost. The cabin pictures for the younger campers were taken here as well. The pictures make it appear that the campers are standing on the edge of a drop off. I want to assure you that they were on solid ground far from the edge. The angle of the photo just made it look as if they were standing on the edge. Also since the hike did not take all of the scheduled time, the counselors sat down on one of the benches, and had the campers sit and look at them. Then each counselor said a word in succession trying to string together a story. The campers had a blast at watching their counselors, and didn't want the time to end.

Today is the last day of crafts. Today they completed any crafts that hadn't previously completed. Also they worked with wire art and with beads.
We had athletic contests in the early afternoon. At any one time there are two volleyball contests and two softball contests underway.

We went to the pool again tonight. The campers participated in a hula hoop contest, a biggest splash contest, and a craziest dive contest.

Entertainment tonight was a classic camp movie "Flash the teenage otter".

We participated in a devotional in the dining hall, and went to the B Lodge for the final devotional of the day with the older campers.

-Keith Taylor

Wednesday

We have two days of camp behind us. Today we woke up to find an absolutely beautiful day. We couldn't have asked for a better day. As with every day we gather for breakfast. The staff have their breakfast under a tent behind the dining hall. The conversations take some interesting twists and turns. Ask us some time and we'll tell you about buffaloes and car bumpers, about wild donkeys and mini vans. After breakfast the campers and their counselors go to clean their cabins. The staff meet to get reports on what will be discussed in the bible classes, and the activities for the day. Also the staff gathers in two groups and prays for each camper.

Jeff Wilson spoke at the flag raising this morning. One of the themes that all have touched on during flag talk is that we have freedom to gather, to worship, to believe as we choose, and to be at camp. It is because of the sacrifices represented by the flag that we have that freedom.

In Bible classes the subject was the paralytic that was let down through the roof to Jesus. Russ and Rachel taught the classes today. One of the exercises that was done with the campers was for them to get in groups of five, and put one in a blanket to be carried by the other four. This exercise really gave the campers a good idea of what it took to carry the paralytic to see Jesus.

The golden broom was given out at lunch time. The winner was Kara Stockdale/Lauren King's cabin for the girls and Andrew Murray's cabin for the boys.

The activities for today for both older and younger campers is the hike to the bottom of the falls. In crafts they worked on lap desks.

Tonight is luau night. We all went to the pool to enjoy a good time.
Tonight is entertainment night. We each year are privileged to have Larry Beard come and join us. We enjoyed songs from Larry Beard, Danny, Gregg, Lisa Gregg, Chandler Seal, Clarence Seal, Steve Gaines, Carson Gregg, Nate Jenkins, and Lauren King. David Peden, after many years of developing and choreographing to the song Wild Fire performed the dance one last time with Kyle Taylor to whom he has passed the horse. Frank Batson sang his annual rendition of Elvira.

We ended the day with a devotional with all the campers in the dining hall. After this time, the older campers went to the B lodge for a devotional. This devotional is a time when the older campers really start to open up and draw near to God.

-Keith Taylor

Tuesday

We woke up on the second day of camp to find it raining. One of the good things about having people with a long history at camp is that they have seen all sorts of weather and know how to adjust to keep the day running smoothly. Russ captured the spirit of camp in an observation that he had this morning. He noted that when and where else would we walk 50 yards in the rain to take a shower, walk in the rain to get breakfast, and where else in the summer would you find teenagers up before 10:00.
Due to the rain, we didn't have flag raising. However, Russ gave the flag talk. He talked about a man he knew name Hilton Travis, who was captured by the Japanese in WWII and talked with us about the barbaric treatment that he suffered for 40 months. In light of this man's and many other's sacrifices, Russ asked how we can refuse for a couple of minutes to recite the pledge to the flag, or to stand during the national anthem.

Fortunately the rain ended and we only had to make minor adjustments to our day.
One of the places that holds great value in the heart of all who have been a part of camp is the B lodge. The morning devotional is composed of all campers from the youngest to the oldest. It is so good to see the entire group worship together, and to see the bond that the campers are forming with one another. The singing and devotions led by the young men is something that lifts all of our spirits.
The Bible classes today focused on the ways the campers can be transforming influences in their families. Brother Matheny gave the older campers New Testaments and some information that he has challenged them to give to someone. The younger campers did some role playing on things that they can do to be transforming influence in their families. They also wrote letters to their parents that were mailed today, so those of you with younger campers will have something that should bless you soon.

Due to the rain today, the hike to the bottom of the falls was cancelled. The path down would be too slick in the wet conditions. So today both the older and younger campers play sweet heart kickball. he older campers played sweet heart kickball. Sweet heart kickball is a game that brings some apprehension for the older campers, but brings fear to the younger campers. However once the games get underway, the fear apprehension disappear and they are able to have an unbelievable amount of fun. In fact some of us commented that it is amazing how much fun they were all having today with just a rubber ball and a field to play in. Also sweet heart kickball has a unique aspect. The rules change during the course of the game.

Today in crafts they worked on painting canvases. The Campers painted scenes to represent transformation.

Tonight was CMT to MTV karaoke night. We had a wide range of performances from the very bad to the very good. This event is hard to describe, so I would encourage you to see the video. For you information our minister performed a rap tune. In the event your were worried that he may take up rap as a second career, I want you to know that he will need to keep his day job and that you can sleep easy tonight.

The night ended with a devotional.

-Keith Taylor

Monday

Today was the first full day of camp. After the rain yesterday, there was a freshness in the air that is hard to describe. The sights, sounds, and smells of a day like today show the beauty and majesty of creation.

The first order of the day was a breakfast of pancakes and sausage, along with cereal for those who wanted that. The tables are inspected and the winner is proud, while those at the losing table get the privilege of staying behind and cleaning the dining hall.

Once we are finished with breakfast we all move outside for the flag raising. Steve Gaines talked with us about the sacrifices that have been made for our freedom. Nate Jenkins's cabin raised the flag while we all say the pledge of allegiance together.
After cabin inspections all of the campers gathered in the B lodge for morning devotional. One of the first we sing is "My Bonnie lies over the ocean". At each word beginning with B you stand if you are sitting or you sit if you are standing. This helps to wake everyone up and get their blood flowing. The morning devotional was led by a group of older boys. After a period of worship the older campers stayed in the B lodge and participated in the class taught by Brother Matheny. The younger campers went to the mess hall for classes taught by Sherrie Murray.

Both Brother Matheny and Sherry Murray talked to the campers about transformation today. Sherry has assembled quite a collection of things from nature such as caterpillars to demonstrate the concept of transformation. All of the campers worked with clay today and were asked to create things that showed true godly transformation.

Each day cabin inspections take place, the winners are given the golden broom. Today's cabin winners were Cassie Crocker's girls and Kyle Taylor's boys.
The morning activity consisted of the hike from the top of the falls to the nature center. In crafts they worked on painting T-Shirts.

The teams were chosen and the teams took the softball and fields with the camp spirit. The games were played in the best of camp spirit.

Tonight was senior night. As part of senior night we all played a rousing game of Bingo.

The day ended wtih a devotional and a time of praise.

After a full day it is time to get to bed, get some rest and get ready for a full day of activity on Tuesday.

-Keith Taylor

Camp 2011 Is Underway!

This day comes after a tremendous amount of preparation and work. I think most would be surprised at the number of people involved in making camp a reality. Many of the staff arrived yesterday to do final setup necessary to receive the campers.

The theme for camp this year is Transformation. Romans 12:2 "Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

This afternoon as campers arrive, there is one thing we observe. There are nervous parents of the youngest campers. We know you are excited to have your young children experience camp, but we also know that you are worried about how they will "survive" the camp experience. As for the parents of older campers, they seem to leave with quite a joyful spirit. We also know that a "break" from teenagers can be a welcome thing. One thing we want you to know is that there is a spirit of unity and acceptance around camp that includes each camper from the youngest to the oldest, from the quietest to the loudest.

As the campers arrive in camp, the first thing they do is to go to their cabin and meet their fellow campers and their counselor. Once they get settled into their cabins, they come to the mess hall for an opening period of devotion.

This year the camp check in was greeted with rain. However the rain stopped and we were able to proceed with the evening's activities.

After the devotional time, the campers go out, hug, and say goodbye to their parents. After this, the campers assemble back in the mess hall. They are then presented with an entertaining video presentation of the camp rules.

Once the rules of camp conduct are finished, then it is time for Midgett’s Madness. This is a most interesting mix of "games" that immerse campers into the camp spirit. One of the other purposes of Midgett’s Madness is to help funnel the emotion and energy of the first day of camp in a productive way.

The day closed with a devotional time and the campers returned to their cabins for the night. The goal for the campers tonight is to get a good night's rest and to be ready for a full day of Monday activities.

As always we covet your prayers. Please pray that we all come to a deeper understanding of the transforming power of the cross.

-Keith Taylor

Last Year's Video

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