It's called Celebration Camp for a reason okay folks!! At the stroke of one, cars start pulling around the gravel roads and joy seeps from the windows. With each camper who steps out, laughter, joy and hugs surrounds camp. It's impossible not to smile at the sight of it all. 

For those who don't know, Celebration Camp is our week long camp for adults with special needs. These folks take a week off from work and come from all over the greater Chattanooga area to camp to enjoy some time off. These guys do a lot of the regular activities at camp, like carnival, high ropes and creek walk, but they also do some activities all their own as well. Everyday there are a variety of things to do ranging from a field trip to Coolidge Park in the morning, and swimming and movies in the afternoon. While it is a more relaxed week for these guys, the enthusiasm and gratitude never stops. The epitome of camp comes on Thursday night, when the campers get up on stage for the talent show, showing off for everyone to see. This week means so much to the campers, it is mainly their only vacation throughout the year, but I can not put into words how much this camp means to me and the other staff. 

Five years ago was the first year that I volunteered at Celebration Camp, I had no idea my life would change that week. I had never in my life experienced such love. Whether they knew you or not, you received a hug every day and they always care about how your day is going. I cannot say that about any other adults that I have met in my life. Their love for Christ is astounding. Hearing them make a joyful noise to the earth, no hesitation to it, is a perfect picture of heaven. There is no "lukewarm" emotion for these Celebration campers. If they love, they love deeply. If they hurt, they will need a shoulder to cry on. But isn't this what the Bible calls for? "Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength." I see this in each and every one of them. Where would I be today, if 5 years ago I did not take time to come and witness this picture of the Kingdom of God? 

I don't know a lot, but what I do know is you will be surprised by the special needs community if you let them show you what they have to offer. They have the gift of changing a cold heart with their love and acceptance. Take time out of your schedule to hang out with these guys, come up to camp and watch the talent show, come and see what it's all about. Trust me. 

Well... I guess this concludes the summer camping season for 2017! We have a busy off season, but we'll be counting down the days until next summer.

Signing off until then,
Camp Lookout Staff 

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 

Ahh, 5th and 6th grade. Arguably, the age group that camp was initially created for. An age that is so full of life and an itch for adventure that only camp can scratch. Something that sets Camp Lookout apart from other camps is the amount of activities that are offered, each tailored for specific age groups. Activities are changed and modified when different age groups are here, because we know that different ages like different things, and are in need of different difficulty levels. 

A few of the activities that are unique to the Older Elementary group are fishing and guitar. They are each given their own guitar/fishing rod and given lessons and the tools they need to not only learn a new skill, but also open up the possibility for new interests and hobbies to be taken under wing. Although not new, the high ropes course opens up new opportunities, as it changes offers new challenges as the campers grow.  Similarly, the caving trip morphs into a completely new experience. They explore new areas of the cave and are given new responsibilities that we are positive they can handle. 

Growing up can be a daunting experience, but by learning new skills and having responsibilities at a fun and exciting place like camp, it can give them confidence, as well as a way to define exactly who they want to be as they grow up. I know that I honed in on my love for leadership, adventure and especially for camp as a camper; and I hope that your camper discovers themselves here as well. 

Never stop exploring, 

Adventure-Maniac

I vividly remember being in middle school. It was a time of transition, both physically, mentally and emotionally. For the junior high campers here, it's a time of significant spiritual growth. Each day, in the midst of go-go-go activities and events, there are times of in-depth Bible study and time with the MIR. The MIR, minister in residence, is the captain of spiritual growth for the week. He leads the camp every night in a message regarding the camp's theme for the week. During these sessions, we encourage the campers to really look deep within themselves and think about what "Doing Good", "Doing No Harm", and "Stay in Love With God", really means to them. 

I remember going to camp as a Junior High and I was truly challenged to think about these things at a much deeper than surface level. There are times when I'm thinking about my spirituality, and I can remember hearing important words from the MIR and Don that truly shaped the Christian that I am today. It taught me how to be the type of Christian that serves and one who helps others with the journey that is Christianity. There is no tolerance at camp for the "tear them down" attitude, it teaches very good lessons for everyday life. I still use the camp's Golden Rule even in college, this is how deep the lessons we learn at camp are. With the counselors as mentors, the campers are encouraged to participate in their Bible studies and think critically about the passages. 

 I'm so glad that this year's theme is "No Greater Love", because no matter how old you are, you need to hear that God's love knows no limitations and endures forever​. ​I hope that each camper that comes to Junior High week at camp comes home refreshed in the Lord and ready to take on middle school with God close at heart. I pray and will continue to pray for their spiritual growth.

Go In Peace and Love,
Still A Junior High At Heart 

Carnival... Luau... Dancing.. No this isn't a cruise, this is 3rd and 4th grade week at Camp Lookout. This is without a doubt the most action packed week of camp in terms of night time activities. While the daily activities are a little less high intensity, we do not hold back in the evening, making sure every moment with these youngsters is as exciting as the last.

Monday's evening activities include ice breakers and games in the chapel. This is a great way for the campers to get to know each other, and the staff to get to know the campers. We waste no time getting down to the nitty-gritty questions like "What's your favorite cereal," and "What's the last thing you do right before you go to bed." With questions like this, we can laugh and play and get the week started off in an energetic way. 

Tuesday's are my personal favorite, because we bring out the popcorn and Camp's most interesting people during Carnival. After singing at Vesper Point concludes, the campers head down to the transformed hub for carnival games, face paint and fun. Staff come prepared with costumes for this wacky night, like the Bearded Lady, and the Strong Man. It's hilarious to interact with the campers as these fun alter-egos while carnival music is playing and you're trying to get your counselor soaking wet in "Soak the Sucker" booth. Everyone is a winner during Carnival, and leaves wanting more. 

Wednesday is the most jam packed night we have in terms of evening activities. We start off the night with swimming and dinner outside for the Luau. We have pool floats, beach balls, and camp tattoos while we lounge and cool down in the pool. We eat BBQ and watermelon under the setting sun and continue to get to know the friends that we have made thus far. When we head to the chapel, do silly dances to silly songs, then we are met by a glowing fire and s'mores to finish off the night. Each of the staff members have their signature camp fire song that they lead the group in, each of them goofier and louder than the next. We usually close the night in a story, and send the exhausted campers to bed to rest up for their last full day at camp. 

Thursday night is a really significant night for most of our campers here at Lookout. After dinner we send each Bible study group off to come up with a presentation, a skit or a song about something that they learned from the week. Some of these are silly, some are sentimental but all of them mean something extraordinary to our campers. After all the presentations are over, we are lead into a time of worship and communion. On clear nights, we light candles and walk silently to the Maynard worship center. We think about our walk with Christ in these moments. How our light may go out along our journey with him, but we have people near us who can relight our fire and help us along. This poignant imagery is crucial for young Christians to understand. They are never alone on their walk with Jesus, and they have a huge support system behind them, cheering them on. Each Bible study is served communion by their leaders and a time of dedication/re-dedication around the fire ends our night. We always end our week this way, in hopes of them seeing Christ throughout their week at camp and understanding what it's all about.

We're sad to see our campers go on Friday, but we send them off feeling reassured that they have a foundation of what it means to walk as a disciple of Jesus Christ, and what it means to be in the "Build Them Up Business". 

That's All Folks! 
​
The Carnival Clown   

Coming right off of staff training, we need a sort of "test run" before we start activities and regular camp programming. this is why Junior High Service week is a great way to start camp. It gives the staff a taste of what camp is like, without throwing them into the battle right off the bat. Churches from all over the Chattanooga area send their junior high youth and leaders for a week of  service around camp and the Chattanooga area. This was not a week of all work and no play, however, the campers got a taste of camp in the afternoon with activities like, high ropes, lake paddling, climbing wall and many others. 

This week is so inspiring to witness from the outside. Teenagers all coming together not only to worship God, but also care for and serve those who need it much more than them. Every group had the opportunity to leave camp for the day to reach out to organizations like; Widow's Harvest, Bethlehem Center, Chambliss Children's Center, Mustard Tree, Brainard Methodist and the National Park Service. Each of these places offered different ways for the youth to serve and grow, whether that be mowing lawns for widows, packing lunches and buckets to send to those in need, or planting trees.

Back at camp, there were plenty of ways to serve as well! We spread mulch all over camp, fixed and painted railings as well as built a landing platform at the climbing wall. All of these jobs were needed so badly here at camp, and I know that they were needed and appreciated at the job sites as well. 

Every night for worship, the youth band from Christ United Methodist would lead us in worship. By listening to their peers sing, play instruments and worship the Lord, I believe the campers were able to feel the presence of Lord. I'd like to say thank you to all of the churches who sent their youth and leaders to camp this week, we had an amazing time and we accomplished so much good. I hope everyone left feeling refreshed in service, and in Christ. 

Never stop serving, 

Camp's Most Reliable Witness 

With every new summer comes a new Summer Camp Staff, each bringing their own quirks and personalities to the machine that is camp. When the two week long venture that is staff training begins, we're all nervous, but mostly excited, to see who we'll be spending the next three months of our lives with. We know that we will share our good and bad times as well as our flaws. What we will soon learn is that we will be loved regardless. Sophie is a returning staff member and former camper, below is her experience at staff training:

Although I'm a returning staff, this was my first time at staff training. I, along with ten other Lookout Staff, drove up to Camp Wesley Woods for lifeguard and  Wilderness First Aid training, soon to be followed by the rest of the Lookout staff for conference wide training. The bus ride, as well as the rest of the week was jam-packed with introductions, small talk and awkward laughs as we all tried our hardest to put our best food forward for our new camp family. The training was hard, but satisfying--life-guarding is no joke. If you have ever wondered how capable lifeguards are of protecting you or your children's life, fear no more, because that training was intense and in-depth. You are in good hands. 

By far the easiest part of this section of training was experiencing camp with the staff of all the other Holston Conference camps. There are five in total, all of which have hand picked staff that astounded me by their talents and their love for Christ. One night in particular we had what we call, "Council House". Everyone gathers around the fire and brings little bits of their camp to each other. We heard stories from Wesley Woods, worship songs from Dickinson, skits from Camp in the Community and booming campfire cheers from Lookout. What I was not expecting, however, was the song of praise that a few staff from each camp put together to share. The soulful sound in these voices mixed with words that touched me deeply, gives me chills now just thinking about it. "People from every nation and tongue from generation to generation, we worship you for who you are. You are good." In this moment, I looked around the campfire at all the faces from not only around the conference but from around the world, and felt those words so deeply that tears welled in my eyes. God was there in Council House that night and I knew then that he would be with us at all of our camps throughout the summer. 

Our time at Wesley Woods ended, but staff training for us has really just begun. We are now headed back to Lookout to continue our training. We have so much more to learn about how to be disciples of Christ, while giving our campers the time of their lives. It's pretty safe to say that I have the best job in the world. I'm so excited to see what this summer has in store for me, my peers and your kids. Thank you for entrusting them with us. 

See you soon, 

Sophie -- "Aquafts" Director