Camp Lebanon loves Junior Highers! It’s going to be a great week of summer camp for these 7-9th graders, and it got off to a wonderful start with absolutely beautiful Check-In Day weather! The sun was shining, the water was warm(ish), and the fish were biting!
While Jr. Highers and their parents arrived, swim tests were open, the Octoball court was packed, and campers were meeting their counselors and cabin mates for the week!
Before dinner, campers got to meet the rest of the Summer Staff team at the Steps of Faith before heading down for a fun picnic meal. After dinner, campers went in to the Main Hall for some singing and some rules for the week, before going on a tour of Camp with their counselor.
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At Chapel tonight, campers sang some fun songs and worshipped so loudly! It was incredible to hear their voices lifting to fill the chapel and praise the Creator! Then they met the speaker for the week, Mark Allen, who told them the story of how he came to faith in Christ. This week, we’ll be diving deep into learning more about our Awesome Creator God, and Mark’s goal is to help campers meet Jesus like he did when he was in middle school. He had a challenge for the campers out of Ephesians 5:15-16:
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
In a world and a culture that sometimes seems to be getting darker and darker, Mark pointed out that these campers get to be in a place that is different, that is lighter, and that gives them the opportunity to move forward in a significant way! He challenged these Junior Highers to make the most of every moment – to continue singing at the top of their lungs to the God who loves them and made them, to ask questions that have been on their minds for a long time, and to go below the surface and dig deep into God’s Word.
The first night of Camp, campers get treated to a hilarious Staff Variety Show, where the Summer Staff perform skits that they have prepared specifically for this summer! It’s a great time, and a perfect opportunity for campers to bond with one another through laughter.
Today wasn’t very long, but it was full of activity, fun, and meeting new people! Tonight, the campers need to sleep well and prepare for a busy day tomorrow. First thing on the agenda in the morning (for campers who are brave enough) – Polar Dip in Cedar Lake!
TAKE CAMP HOME: Revisit Ephesians 5:15-16 with your camper and ask them to tell you about their week at Camp! In what ways do they feel like they took every opportunity and made the most of each moment? Did they learn or discover anything about God that they want to share with you? How can they continue to make the most of every moment throughout the year?
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