Super Kids 4

Tuesday:

After a few songs in the chapel, the campers break up into cabins for some time to study the Bible, what we call Super Hero University. Today they spent time reading the stories of the super heroes in the Bible, like Moses and Jonah, and read about some of Jesus’ miracles. Then they have some time to memorize one of our memory verses which is Romans 10:9-10 – “That if you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”

In chapel tonight Micah talked about temptation and the cycle of sin (James 1:14-15). When bad things happen to us it make us want to lash back and hurt someone else. He spoke about how sin leads to death and how Jesus was the one person who never sinned, but still died. He died for us, so that the darkness and sin can be taken away. So we are left with a choice. Do we live for sin, or do we live for God?

The last thing on our schedule tonight was the Superhero Challenge. The kids get to play crazy games for tickets, dump water on their counselor, eat cotton candy and have their face painted and hair done.

Super Kids 4

Monday:

Today we had our last Counselor Hunt of the summer. The staff hide all over camp while the campers are watching Veggie Tales for Toes Up time and when the bell rings the kids come running. If they tag a staff member, they get to throw them in the lake.

For the 4 o’clock option today we played dodgeball. Each team had a medic that could bring players back from the dead and the teams tried to get the other’s medic out without loosing their own to finish the game.

After a rainy free time, the sky cleared up enough for us to play a game of capture the flag after dinner. Instead of a flag, each team had a frisbee, a life-jacket, and a cardboard box to hide. With the game being played boys against girls it was easy to tell who was on your team and whom you needed to tag and send to jail.

In chapel tonight Micah, our speaker this week, talked about superhero weaknesses and villains. Yesterday, he asked us to think about our story, about the hurts and hard things we’ve gone through in life. Tonight he asked us what lies we are being told and are choosing to believe. He talked about the fall of mankind (Genesis 3) and how everyone has sin and darkness inside themselves. We are left with a choice. Do we believe the lies this world is telling us or do we believe the truth we learn in God’s word? Micah asked us to think about the times we’ve seen the darkness in life, been hurt and wanted to hurt back, bought into the lies and share that with someone we trust. 

Wednesday:

This morning campers had the option to participate in camp’s triathlon. First, they swim out around the raft and back from the boat ramp. They quickly put on their shoes and run down the driveway and back. Finally, they jump in a kayak and paddle around the raft and back for their final time.

For mail call today the campers were treated to a live video game in which Mr. Incredible battles other super heroes for the mail.

In tonight’s chapel Jim talked to us about Jesus’ power. We read about him turning water to wine (John 2) and calming the seas (Luke 8:22-25). With God having power over everything, Jim asked us why we cling so tightly to control over our lives. Jesus wants us to give control over to Him so He can use our lives for His glory.

Tonight was the last game of Clue for the summer. Oscar the Grouch, Belle, Justin Mornau, Han Solo and Chewbacca, Chuck Norris, Peter Pan and Wendy, Dora the Explorer, Mr. Tumnis, and the Chiquita Banana Lady were scattered all over camp and the campers had to find out who killed Pete by asking them yes or no questions. 

Junior High 3

Tuesday:

Our afternoon optional game for the day was Mushball. It’s played like softball, but the ball is much larger and softer.

A staple of our Junior High camps is the Volleyball Tourney. All the campers battle it out as a cabin for the championship. There are always other things to do while waiting to play, too, with frisbees and footballs flying, an impromptu game of baseball on the field, and the beach open. Still, a lot of kids use the tournament as a chance to just sit around and hang out.

Chapel tonight was about how Jesus was a super hero unmasked. He never tried to hide who he was. We read about God’s glory being revealed to Moses (Exodus 34) and how he had to veil his face as it was shining too brightly to look at. Jim talked about who God is and why we should be seeking after a relationship with Him. It’s a privilege to be the recipient of the grace we have received through Jesus.

Junior High 3

Monday:

During the break out session of morning chapel the campers get together as cabins and today they went through 1 Timothy 1, which talks about sincere faith, trust in God, and using the gift we have been given in his Spirit

The amphitheatre looked a bit like a junkyard at supper time this evening as the campers all took part in a camp wide scavenger hunt. With no idea what was on the list, they scoured camp for anything they thought would make the game leaders laugh and brought back kayaks, picnic tables, and even an entire life jacket rack.

In chapel tonight our speaker Jim Barringer talked about our super hero Jesus and how he heals. He healed by touch, by faith, even from death and He wants to heal us (Acts 2:21, John 3:16).

Our last activity for the day was a crazy game of Pandemonium. The campers try to get to three stations across camp and have a paper stamped while all the staff wanders around with playground balls trying to stop them. Once they have all the marks they need they try and get into the only unlocked door to the chalet, even with the door constantly changing.

Tuesday:

One of the morning options today was the Camp Lebanon triathlon. With all three legs at once, it definitely takes some stamina. First they swim across the lake, then quickly put on their shoes and run down the driveway and back, followed by a kayak out around the raft and back to shore. Our winning time was under 23 minutes and we even had two people compete while tied together.

Our guest speaker for morning chapel today was Molly Barnhart, who tours the nation speaking on the importance of abstinence. She challenged the campers to hold themselves to a higher standard than the world does and wait until marriage.

Our Asian themed dinner brought out some sweet costumes, not the least of which was a cameo appearance by the karate kid. The kitchen staff out did themselves with a variety of Asian inspired dishes.

Tonight’s big activity was the Mud Challenge. A giant game of tug of war over a mud pit definitely turned into chaos, but luckily ended with a jump in the lake to rinse off.

Scott talked about Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-9) and the woman who washed Jesus feet with her tears (Luke 7:36-50). He asked us if we see people as Jesus sees them. So often we see relationships as projects or as items to check off our to do list, but Jesus always saw the person, what they really were. He gave us a pin to remind us to try and see people through Jesus’ eyes.

Monday:

In our morning chapel today, Dave Wilson, spoke about the time he spent serving in the Muslim nations as a missionary. He shared the struggles and joys of working with the people and talked about the best way to present Christ to someone of the Muslim faith.

Dinner tonight had a ’80s/‘90s theme, which the staff went all out for. With burger baskets and Michael W. Smith playing in the background, it was definitely a flash back.

In chapel tonight Scott Woller, our speaker for the week, spoke on Joseph (Genesis 37). He talked about Joseph’s lack of humility, pointing out that Joseph kept wearing the coat that told his brothers their father loved him better. He called on us to take off the coat, to let go of our pride and take on the humility that Christ had when he washed the disciples’ feet (John 13). He gave all the campers a button to symbolize taking off the coat.

After chapel, we released the campers all over camp to try and figure out ‘who dun it’ in a camp wide game of Clue. Crazy characters waited in trees, on pontoons, even standing on top of cars to answer questions for campers in search of the one who killed Pete.

Our last activity of the day was a coffee house. With live music, board games, and a choice of coffee or hot chocolate, the campers had a chance to just hang out or to join in with the carpetball and pool tournaments.