Where Did the Time Go?

"Lights Out and Good Night" to quote one of our campers who loves praying to close out evening chapel.

We started with Staff Training back in May and tomorrow is the last day... 12 weeks summer!  This photo encapsulates that "Week 12" feeling...

ITS BUSY. We certainly weren't sitting on our hands the whole time.  Camp is hard work.  Shepherds Camp is very hard work.  And we like hard work.

ITS FUN.  Who else gets to have over 100 people staying at their place for 3 months.  To us, the 24/7 camp lifestyle is fun.  (Note the counselor dead center in the photo who looks like he's letting out a big yell)

IT'S BLURRY.  After three months of ministry and pushing hard to finish strong, the whole thing feels a little blurry.

IT'S COLORFUL.  Camp is one of the most dynamic ministries I have ever experienced (Yes, I am biased).  There is never a dull moment.

IT'S CRAZY.  It's crazy how fast 3 months flies by.  It's crazy how a group of 40 college students, high schoolers and twenty-somethings (I'll just lump myself in that group) can become a family.  It's crazy that God would be pleased to use a guy like me and people like us for His kingdom work.

Would you look at that!

"Wow, that is cool!"

"Thanks! We like our new Picnic & Recreation Pavilion too.  So do our friends over at Arctic Bear who stopped by to volunteer with Special Olympics for Bocce Night."

Water Games are Rigged

Well... I submitted to the chanting and joined my guys on the dock for water games.  I really thought the counselors and campers would be okay with one of us coming out of this dry.  In hopes that it would be me... I kept my socks, shoes and hat on.

And, I was the first to get it.  But, Tony and Tyler weren't far behind.

Bocce Night 2016

Had a few Special Olympics friends over the other night.  The only thing more perfect than the weather was all the people who made Bocce Night a fantastic sporting event for Shepherds Camp - Session 3.

Shepherds Camp UNIVERSITY

This summer we created Shepherds Camp University!  Our theme: To Know God More.  In Crafts campers made their very own graduation cap and received a group photo coloring page.  Bible & Music in the morning, Chapel at night and a sweet Shepherds Camp U t-shirt paved the way for a dynamite graduation ceremony where each camper received a personalized diploma.  And we topped off each ceremony with a big graduation dinner/party.  Check it out.

Ramped Up for Summer 2016

In addition to our new hay wagon ramp we have added several deck ramps to our bathhouse, kitchen, craft room and camper cabins.  Oh, and over 200' of sidewalk.  It has been a huge blessing... especially during our intensive 1:1 sessions.

CCK'16

Camper Counselor Kickball 2016

Having fun is a must.

It can get a little scary out there.

 See what I mean.

Safety is our top priority.

Rule #1 - Dress for success!

Happy Independence Day!

Thank You SLRGC!

A huge thank you to the Silver Lake Rod & Gun Club!  We received a grant from the club to purchase 3 brand new Rinehart archery targets.  Our archery range at Shepherds Camp is top notch.

Remember When? Nurse Berry does!

We have a habit around here... of measuring the impact of our camp staff in DECADES!  What a blessing to have Nurse Berry visit us this week.  She served as our camp nurse for more the 20 years!  We walked all over camp looking at how things have changed since her last summer as our head nurse.  It was fun to hear her talk about the not-new-stuff and say, "I remember when that was new.  I was here when they did that."

Wheelchairs & Baby Llamas

It's June 1:1 week and our all-access hay wagon was rock'n today.  We stopped by Ms. Linda's place to see her new arrival, Maxine... just 2 days old. 

 

Everybody Loves Tony

We're heading into week four of the summer.  Campers, staff, visitors, volunteers, alumni and James Project mission teams; it's great to have a full house.

Our James Project groups have been a huge blessing.  They love camp.  They love serving.  They love Tony.  Of course, everybody loves Tony.  (In fact, that's one of the reasons why we love Tony)

All Access Hayrides!

Thanks to the generosity of our friends - the Hursh family and Drama Ministry, our hayrides are even better.  With benches all around and a wheelchair ramp... the hay wagon is accessible to ALL of our campers.

You Have Been Trained and Found Ready

Check out this excited bunch.  We have completed our 2016 Staff Training and campers arrive tomorrow for our first Shepherds Camp session - May 1:1.

What's Going on Back There?!?

It feels like camp has been a top secret location with restricted access this spring.  We have been very busy with a long list of new purchases, construction projects, renovations and enhancements all over camp.  We have had our "nose to the grindstone" for months.  All of a sudden it is time to put down the tools, dust ourselves off and put on our nice clean staff shirts... campers arrive on Monday!

Stay tuned for a huge list and some great photos from camp.