Youth Camp 2010 - day 1
Tuesday, July 6, 2010 at 12:22PM It's that time of year again. Traci and I have the incredible privilege and honor of helping to staff the LA Church Youth Camp. 403 kids from LA, Fresno, Bakersfield and Las Vegas all drove up the mountain to Idyllwild yesterday. Geo and Karen Garces lead the camp, and it is so much fun being with them. Geo is the perfect guy for this job. It is also great to be with John Mannel (Grandpa Shark) and all the rest of the staff. Some of them have been doing this for eleven years. This is my fifth year, and it is so great to be with everyone. It really does feel like a family reunion.
The theme of the camp this year is Mythbusters, and we are trying to help the kids identify and "bust" the common myths about God, Jesus and the Bible.
I will be trying to post every day while at the camp, for the benefit of the parents of all of the Turning Point kids who are here. I know, as a parent, how much you miss your kids and want to know how they are doing. So I will do my best to keep you informed and post pictures of as many kids ;)
as I can.
Let me just say that we have the most incredible counselors on the face of the earth. Here is a great "before" shot of our counselors before the bus arrived. We are only missing Tori, who was on the bus, and Henry, who was setting up his drums at the time. I will try to get another "after" shot at the end of the week.
The bus arrived, and we were all there to greet them. After they found all of their luggage, they went through the registration process, got their name tags, and went to their cabins. Then they had a few hours to run around, ex;)
plore the camp and begin the water gun attacks on the other cabins. ;)
Our opening session last night started with an hour of worship music in the ampitheater. This truly is the highlight of the camp for me. It takes a minute to get this group loosened up and really singing and worshipping, but once you get them going, it is a remarkable experience. Listening to 500 voices (including counselors and staff) praising God under the stars is something you never forget. I really believe that God shows up and does amazing things in the hearts of these kids during these times. I know ;)
he has great plans for them, and this is such an important time for all of them to build the foundations of their faith.
The lesson was called "The Good Teacher Myth" and talked about how Jesus was more than;)
just good teacher, but he himself claimed to be God. Geo taught, and did an incredible job connecting to the kids. It was a great way to ;)
start the camp.
To help make the camp run smoothly, we have a group of about 10 disciple teens who come and serve as "gophers." They get to do all the dirty work, and we run them unapologetically into the ground. This year, I am so proud to have Raven Leon representing the Turning Point. She is, of course, a light to the whole camp and doing a great job.;)
Everyone was up and ready to go this morning. After breakfast, they all went to their morning classes, and we are all looking forward to a great day. Please pray for everyone's safety, but more importantly, pray that God will work in everyone's hearts this week.
Reader Comments (4)
So wild to see Caden up there. Makes me realize that i'm gonna blink my eye and my boys will be up there too. Have a great time!!! I will pray you all have a great week!!!
Sam
Thanks Jay for giving us Mom's an update of how it's going. It was hard for us Mom's that watched our kids go away for camp for the first time. I cried like a baby.our comfort is know the amazing people that are taking care of our kidos and knowing this camp is going to strengthen there relationship with God and with their kingdom friends. Thanks again we love you guys.
Thanks so much Jay for posting these blogs!!!! I know it brings so much comfort to my heart to see the pictures of the kids and hear what is going on each day!!! I am praying for all of you everyday...for GOD to move powerfully through the counselors and really shepherd the kids, for seeds of faith to be planted deep in each child's heart, for lifelong friendships to be built, and for everyone to have a safe, wonderful, memorable time. Thanks again for all the hard work that goes into the planning and serving, and orchestrating of this event! Please give Chan a big hug for me!
Love and Prayers, Sido
Thanks for the post Jay! I was trolling facebook last night...looking for some feedback from the day. Samantha Lam told me to go here. Hurray!
Missing Caden - but know he's having the time of his life! Can't wait to hear more news. Thanks so much for the detailed report. LOVE IT! If I were to ask Caden what he did yesterday he'd say "We came to camp and it was good". :) Love to hear what the lessons are about, the atmosphere with the singing, water fights, etc. Keep up the great reporting!!! This is so fun. Emotional just writing this. We're so grateful for you all! love, -kt for the Thure's