Youth Camp and Lost Marbles

Our son will have spent several weeks full-time at a Youth Camp by the end of this Summer. He got trained to be a Camp Counselor. He's kept very busy assisting at Day Camp and cooking meals at the camp's kitchens also.

BOYS CAMP:  The always-exhilarating week has finally arrived. His cabin has 12 campers, boys between the ages of 9 to 11 years.

The first night of Boys Camp had him texting me to please pray as the cabin was "tough". The boys were staying up and not sleeping! It was simply too exciting for them.  As head Counsellor of his cabin, my son definitely needed rest. I encouraged him by saying that the young boys will eventually settle down in the days ahead as they get used to Camp life.  The multitude of Camp activities will definitely tire them out as well. Of course, I also told him I'd pray to the Lord for the situation.

GO SWIM IN THE LAKE:  This is a traditional camp activity.  An early (6:30 am) wake up call -- before breakfast -- to hunt for marbles and tops that have been thrown into the [cold] lake.  Participation gets you a cup of hot chocolate.  The winner gets a prize and bragging rights.

pc: LGYC

pc: LGYC

pc: JIngersol

pc: LGYC

Working ragged

Texts while son was working as full-time Head Cook at Summer Camp, WI

J: So...my belt just broke...wanna buy me a new one? my pants won't stay on


Me: Use a rope. Ask Denay for one.


J:Right, like that wouldn't look trashy.  I'm head cook, mum. I need to look respectable


Me: You are behind the counter...No one sees you...You are not allowed to date, anyway


J: Uh...I am quite regularly asked to speak to the guests, especially when obsessive parents and dangerous food allergies are involved


Me: All right, if a rope is not good enough for you, go ahead and buy a Walmart belt


J: Yay...Uh...mind if I hit up Target instead?


Me: Whose car are you driving?


J: Camille's; mind if I buy $7 flip flops? Thank ye


Me: What happened to the ones we just bought you?!


J: They...broke

Samson's hair

He is agile...

 strong and foolhardy

(yes, it is he over the Chicago River, lol)

handsome

funny

... and he finally got a haircut!

Wedding Gown

Cute couple, and quite young. And they are truly very much in-love according to my kids. My son took their engagement photos, but could not attend the wedding because of school commitments. Wedding dress picture was sent through their iPhone. Luv the
rosettes!

ETA: These two divorced soon after their son was born.  Very sad.

Our kids as actors

Summer 2010

The Mission from Lake Geneva Youth Camp on Vimeo.

Bighorn Sheep and a U.S. Marine

 Bighorn Sheep,  on the Buffalo Bill Dam on the Shoshoni River at Cody, Wyoming....

 ...and, Brett, climbing a stone wall at the Christian Camp, WI

...and over the Chicago River

It don't get no better

We are grateful to God for the opportunities He opened for Summer employment for Camille, Jared, and Jillian at LGYC.  
This video is a fitting end to the season:  a roll-call of sorts of the terrific college staff LGYC managed to put together.  Camille is a part of this; Jared is not, though he had a college-level job, since he's still in high school.

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Nerf Gun Battle: Camouflage highly recommended

How do overworked, underpaid Camp Staff relax during their time off?
 They go to WAR!!

Honor Cabin @ Summer Camp in Wisconsin

To be bestowed the  Honor Cabin  award meant a cabin (and the Campers who reside therein) got the most points for being the cleanest/most organized cabin during the entire week of camp...along with possessing other sterling qualities.  They were judged on a daily basis by two, qualified, impartial judges --- the Camp nurses.

Congrats to Cabin Number 11 -- AJ's cabin!  The other boys were Nathanael, Micah, Chase, Noah, Christian, John, Clayton, and Luke.  Their counselor was Terence Jackson (in white cap).
 Note that 3 of the 9 boys are from our Chapel in Elgin. *Ahem*

Remember!

***

Party, party, party!

First, on Saturday we dropped off Jill at camp.  Later that evening was Mylene & Bernard's party at the Ferrer's home in Round Lake.  The next day was Baby Zachary's 1st birthday/dedication.  Last event for the day was Baptist Bible Church's 25th anniversary celebration.  Whew!

The busy camp cafeteria where Camille, Jared & Jill are working for the Summer

At the Wedding Shower in Round Lake

Zachary's Birthday/Dedication

At Baptist Church's Anniversary

Grace with Baby Jace

the magician's bunny

air hockey!

Where in the world is Trevor?

We first met Trevor last year at the Summer campground in Wisconsin.  We were having lunch, and he was one of the employees at the Dining Hall.  After completing his duties, he came around to where we were located and showed us a giant Pancake from breakfast.  Jared asked him to pose, and he snapped the picture on the left. 

He is a creative guy. His recipe for a blue, anti-freeze-looking drink (aptly named Forever Trevor) is on the menu; and we all loved it. According to Jared, there are other entrees that were the result of his inventiveness.  He is now in India doing translation work. He has a heart for the Indian people and their need of the Gospel. It doesn't look like it's always about toiling and laboring ---the beach scene seems like fun.

Wisconsin Summer Camp during Winter Season

Angus Burger (sooo many toppings; the best burger I've ever tasted!!!!)

"Forever Trevor Blue Drink-O-Rama" (may look like Antifreeze, but surprisingly delicious!)

Ice cream Palooza ('cause they're ... not afraid of Winter...)

Camille, Jared, and Jill spent Saturday through Sunday at the Christian Youth Camp in Lake Geneva, WI for a Staff Retreat. The temperature was frigid during the two days, but the Cafeteria where we met-up with them and had our Lunch was warm and inviting.  I felt even better/warmer when, (a) the meal was FREE because of Jared's volunteer hours; and (b)  the two older ones were offered paid positions for the upcoming Yr 2010 Summer-camp Season  as Assistant Cook (Camille), and Head Dishwasher (Jared).  Jill applied as a volunteer, so we shall see what opportunities the Lord will open for her at the Camp.  Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow!!!

Living La Dolce Vita: A Boy's Summer Camp Adventures

~ Summer Break '09~

by JSE, age 16

Went to a Christian Summer Youth Camp in Wisconsin

Learned to make my own duct-tape shoes

Volunteered as a server/dishwasher/all-around kitchen helper

Made loads of new Friends

ate goooood Food

...best of all, had a place I could call my own (shared with 2 other guys)

Sweet!