The last week of traditional summer camp, brings a huge wave of emotions. "How could summer already be over?", "I can't believe summer is just now ending," and "Man, I can't wait to sleep in my own bed." All of these emotions come in waves, but we're all sad to leave the place that we've so lovingly called home, and the people that we have been so lucky enough to call family. I'm trying to soak in every moment I have with my fellow staff, the sweet campers and the Minister in Residence, Meliah Warren. 

The other day in our daily MIR time, Meliah brought a message to us that resonated deeply within me. We were discussing John Wesley's third rule, Stay In Love With God. She showed us a video of the story of Nick Vujicic. Nick was born without arms or legs, and struggled deeply in his early years with being accepted and trusting in God through his circumstances. In the video, he describes praying to God for a miracle. He is a miracle worker after all. Morning after morning he would wake up, still without arms and legs. He began to doubt in God's goodness and his love for him. What he would soon realize is, God gave him the gift of public speaking, and relating with people. He has used his situation to motivate people into looking past their circumstances; not letting them define you. God takes you as you are, sins and faults and all and uses you in his ultimate masterpiece.

What a powerful and moving message, especially going out into the world from camp in just one short week. I think it is so important for campers to hear this message. They are entering into a time of their lives that they may let their circumstances define them. Whether that be a divorce, some certain feature of their body, or what have you. By showing this video, it shows these campers that they can overcome anything, and they are so much more than what happens to them. If nothing else, I learned that I am so much more than what happens to me and I have worth and a purpose despite my shortcomings. In addition to this, see others for their worth and their strengths, without seeing the ways that they may be lacking. Just because a person was born into a situation outside of their control, does not make them tainted or incapable. 

Wow, if only more people could hear this message. I am so glad that the campers this week will be able to take this into their 5th and 6th grade year. The staff will benefit as well, as we are going into Celebration Camp, our week for adults with special needs. I had a fantastic summer and I learned so much about myself and my awesome God. I hope your kids have learned as well. 

Until Next Time,

Future World Changer 

I think I speak for everyone on the staff that we were a little bit nervous coming off of break for the second wave of camp. June went so well! How could July possibly top June. We were proved wrong, however. From the moment that campers started hopping out of their cars and heading to check in at the chapel, you could feel the atmosphere at camp shift. What was once a camp filled with nervous jitters, became a camp filled with sparks of energy and life. I remember speaking with several of the staff members, all of us exclaiming how wonderfully and flawlessly Monday was going, and it was only 11:00. 

The rest of the week closely followed suit. We laughed until our bellies hurt and worshiped God like we have never before. I mean, what an awesome group of kids. From morning activity to night programming, all the campers were in the "Build 'Em Up Business", and here to have a good time. One of my favorite memories from the week, and possibly from all summer, was Celebration at the end of the week. After we finish up communion, we have a Celebration set up for the campers in the lodge. We have snacks, soft drinks and loud music and we all dance together into the night. This is a time that we leave our cares behind and we throw caution to the wind! We JuJu on that Beat, Whip and Nae Nae and Cupid Shuffle, eat snacks and enjoy each other's company. There have been no groups of campers that I have connected with like I did with this group. 

What a refreshing way to start off these next 4 weeks, I am SO excited to see what the rest of July holds. I know, by starting off this way, the whole staff and I are feeling energized and pumped for the 3rd and 4th graders to come on Monday, 

God Is GOOD!

Happy Counselor

Day Camp Adventures From June and July
Activities
 Here are some of the activities done at Day Camp. On Mondays we do bug boxes and art night. Children go to the lake and look at the various creatures and natural formations at Camp Lookout and after that show some creativity with marble boxes, finger painting, and bubble art at art night. Tuesday we go down to the creek and enjoy some natural water activities compared to the pool. Sometimes we'll even skip rocks and do rock paint. Wednesday we do the low ropes course. Seeing each child spot and encourage the other really hits home with me. To the child spotting, it might seem as if a weird dude in the Hawaiian shirt is telling them to keep their hands up. To the child on the course, counselors, and any observer, however, it shows a type of love that can only be found in a true friend. On Thursday we go to Cloudland Canyon. Seeing the jaws drop of every child as they experience, maybe for the first or first few time, a gorgeous natural landscape is probably one of the most adorable things in the world (take that Hello Kitty). Fridays are spent at the poolside and we relax right before we go home. 

My Personal Experience and a Thank You
I have never experienced love so strong from outside my family ever before until I worked Day Camp. It was a privilege to work with your children and the Day Camp staff. Day Camp might seem like an independent entity within the Camp Lookout family but after working all three opportunities that Camp Lookout has to offer, Night Camp and Taste Of Camp being the other two. Day Camp truly does introduce a particular type of love and camaraderie, especially for children this age, that not only they will never forget but I will not as well. The bonds formed at this session impact the children and even the counselors. It helped me remember my days at a day camp back home in Alabama (obligatory Roll Tide) and even parts of my childhood which honestly brings me to tears of joy sometimes.Working with your children has been the best thing out of Camp Lookout that has ever happened to me and I will never forget the memories and bonds formed. To the Day Camp staff, I cannot thank you enough for not only accepting me as one of your own throughout the summer, even that one week I wasn't on Day Camp. Your love to me has not only re-sparked an old flame inside of me, but has proven to me that Camp Lookout is truly "A Place Set Apart". Thank you once again, my friends.

Swimming and crafts. These two activities are pretty far up the list on the most popular activities at camps all across America. Is it truly summer time if you don't spend your days playing Marco Polo and carrying around your newly assembled Rain Stick or Dream Catcher? Ironically, my job at Lookout is the "Aquafts" Director. I manage the pool as well as organize and set up the daily craft. How does one get such an odd conglomeration of duties you may ask? I'm still not sure, even halfway through the year, but I am sure glad that I did! 

Many kids like to participate in crafts during their time at camp. I'm glad I get to provide them with an activity that's not nearly as high adventure. I know a lot of kids would rather clean the dishes at camp than climb up the high ropes course and soar through the sky on the zip line or V-swing. Other kids get overwhelmed by the high-energy lifestyle that camp often demands. These introverted kids thrive off their time at the Craft Hut to recharge for the rest of their day. I have tried to make the Craft Hut a place of peace. A place where kids can let the right side of their brain take control, where creativity know's no bounds. The pool on the other hand, is a different story.

The pool is play; and play hard. Seeing the smiles and the gleeful shrieks of campers jumping off the diving board or getting thrust into the air by their counselors brings joy to my heart. I watch this and see exactly what childhood should be. Unapologetic splashing about in frigid water and wishing that pool time could last forever. Making sure everyone is having fun and being safe is only part of my job at the pool, however. I also make sure the water is clean, and safe for swimming in. I check the chemicals of the pool several times a day and without fail, campers are always so intrigued about what I am doing with the water bottle full of pool water and different colored dyes. I use these opportunities to engage the campers in a little science lesson! I call myself Bill Nye, camp edition. I explain what the chemicals do, how they react with the water and how I know how much of each chemical the pool water has. I have learned that anything and everything can be a way to teach. I can teach kids the importance of loving your neighbor at the dinner table, and I can explain chemical reactions during their bathroom break. 

I look forward to these lessons every week. Children are, by nature, curious beings; so eager to learn. Why deprive them of this? Teach them things every step of the way! Let the craft hut be a time of introspective thinking and questions, let the pool be a way of showing the importance of chemistry in every day life. Never shy away from explaining the way nature works with each other to keep our Earth functioning.  I can't think of a better way to learn about God than by learning about the things that he has created. Let us glorify and praise Him!! 

Anyways, I'm so glad I have the opportunity to bring just two of the many activities your children do at camp to life. Thanks for letting me hang out with them and teach them just a little bit of what I know best. 

Mentor, Teacher and Friend,

The "Aquafts" Director