May Camp Recap

Well, it's been a week since we left May Camp but I finally have the time to write about the weekend!

As always, we had a great time up at Green Bay Bible Camp for our annual weekend away with our sister churches - Sunshine Ridge, Ebenezer, Chilliwack, and Lakeview Heights. We are all in the NAB association together and enjoy working together to plan the weekend.

This year felt different for a few reasons. For one, Pastor Brad wasn't there for the first time ever, which was pretty strange for me. Another reason was that there were quite a few sick people at camp and the weather was a bit cooler than usual, but at least it didn't rain! Usually our kids are on the go the entire weekend... jumping in the lake, playing sports non-stop, staying up until 3am, etc. This year, camp had a much more relaxing atmosphere, and although some students did have a lot of energy, overall I noticed that more students than usual just hung out with their friends and got to know the students from other churches. That was a HUGE highlight for me! One of the reasons we do May Camp is to build relationships between our sister churches. In previous years many kids have made friends with other youths, but this year we saw pretty much EVERYONE at camp get to know new people! It was so awesome to see, and it definitely was noticeable during the weekend. I loved that the kids cheered for their new friends during games and the Hootenany, that we didn't always sit with our own groups during meals, and that the leaders were able to get together each day to get to know one another better and pray for the kids.

Here is a rundown of what we did all weekend.

Thank you Sue for taking all of these photos! Isn't her fish-eye lens cool?

The kids met at church on Friday and drove up to camp on the bus that we rented. A BIG thanks to Paul B., our driver. I was actually worried that we wouldn't be able to find an affordable bus because until recently, we didn't have any Class 1 drivers at church - but when I brought it up for prayer at Bible Study, Francesca let us know that her dad can drive buses! Wahoo!

Stopping in Merritt for dinner

What a 5 hour bus ride with teens looks like

I left early to do some camp set up and was able to welcome the bus when they arrived at camp around 8pm. Ebenezer youth (a very friendly bunch) were the first group there and welcomed our kids when they arrived as well.

The first official thing on the schedule was Chapel on Friday night. After some games, Pastor Tim (Sunshine Ridge) was the first speaker. This year all the pastors chose a chapter of Philippians to preach on, and Tim introduced the weekend by giving us an overview of the book in this first chapel session. We learned about the culture of that church as well as about the life of Paul, who was writing this letter (and many others) from jail. Despite his circumstances, Paul's life was full of joy, and that is so evident all throughout the book! Our theme for the weekend was "Whatever :D" and the key verse for the weekend was Philippians 1:27 - "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ." We talked about how 'whatever' happens in our lives, we can live a joyful life because we are 'citizens of heaven' as followers of Jesus.

Daniel and Jonah were part of the worship team on the weekend

Ready to start the first chapel session!

Saturday was a very busy day! We started out with breakfast, followed by the next chapel session. Pastor Jeff (Chilliwack) preached on chapter 1. He shared about how joy in the Lord can impact our entire lives when we view everything through the lens of our faith. After each chapel session on Saturday and Sunday, we had small group time with our cabins. After small groups we had some free time and then lunch. We are so thankful for the Green Bay staff and volunteer team who served us during the weekend! On Saturday afternoon students could choose between free time at camp, or one of several optional activities: a hike, gym activities, tubing, or paintball. Even though the weather was cooler, the kids loved the activities! Those who opted for free time had a nice relaxing day hanging out and making new friends at other churches. I had a great time hanging out on the field with my small group girls.

The senior high girls need some coffee in the morning

Sue and Desiree's small group

Enjoying some free time with candy on the field

Word of warning... this is what happens when you put grass in my hair! Say goodbye to your shoes, Emily!

Bethany and Ebenezer kids bonding over some music

Rose and Francesca enjoying the dock

Lauren and Phoebe are swingset champions

Mel, Connor, Asia, Keenan, CJ and Des paying attention during chapel

After free time we had dinner, followed by the next chapel session. Pastor Chris (Lakeview) spoke at this one. He talked about following Jesus' example of putting others before ourselves - this is so counter-cultural in our world! He talked about what a difference this attitude can make in our lives. After small group time, everyone headed out to a nearby forest for a night game. The kids worked in teams to collect 'survival items' from different leaders, all while trying to erase the rest of the leaders who were chasing them. Some of our grade 12 boys won the game! When the group returned we enjoyed a snack and some late-night free time before bed.

The junior high girls enjoying worship

the worship band did an awesome job!

Chapel time!

Enjoying the campfire at the night game

The grade 7s are still wired late at night

On Sunday, we had brunch and dinner instead of 3 meals, so we were all able to sleep in a bit longer! After brunch, it was my turn to speak at chapel. Hannah led the game - this year we tried to include as many of our students in the leadership of chapel as possible. I talked about legalism, which was a huge problem in the early church and continues to be a problem in the modern church. I talked about how Jesus' work was so complete on the cross that our actions can't save us, and believing we have to work to save our spot in heaven is actually a heresy. While honouring God does mean living good, upright lives, that should come from the overflow of joy and thanksgiving knowing that none of our actions actually earned our salvation. I had a great time speaking even though I was nervous to speak in front of 133 people! After chapel we had field games, followed by free time. Most of us just lounged around at camp, swam, or went kayaking. Later in the afternoon, the girls dressed up for our annual 'girls night.' After dinner, we took some group photos in our dresses before changing back into comfy things for the next chapel session.

Thank you Hannah for leading a chapel game!

Waiting for the marmot to show himself again

Thanks Adam for taking photos and filming! Here he is with our new Go Pro camera

Our annual Girls Night! What a lovely bunch

Time for field games!

I loved having these girls in my cabin!

Mark using his free time to go kayaking

At the last normal chapel, Pastor Isaac (Ebenezer) spoke on the last chapter of Philippians. He talked about living a joyful life, focusing on "whatever is true and noble" and using our gifts as a family of believers. His message was awesome! It was my personal favourite, although all the sermons were great. After chapel, we got ready for the Hootenany, our talent show - although it's not just kids with serious talents who perform... some kids just get up there for a laugh or a good time, which makes the night so much fun!

Jake and CJ  hosted the Hootenany one last time before CJ graduates, and they did a great job! Their running joke through the night was that Jake thought he signed up to teach the group about owls, so we all got to watch CJ show us how to feed baby owls (spitting food into their mouths... or in this case, trying to get Spits into Jake's! Ew!), and Jake showed us how to nurse them (by "nursing" CJ with a full jug of water). We had lots of performances this year, including a few skits, some songs, an improv game, and many other wacky things! From our group, Rayna sang a song, Dale sang and played guitar, Francesca led some improv games and played a song on guitar, Daniel and Jonah played a song, and Tyler and Kellen built a Lego set (true talent). Overall it was a great night with lots of laughs!

Tyler and Kellen show off their Lego talent at the Hootenany

Francesca played us a song

My favourite shot all weekend... Jake and CJ showing us how to nurse an owl!

Rayna singing "Wish You Were Here"

Daniel and Jonah played a T Swift song

Dale played Hallelujah

After the Hootenany we enjoyed our evening snack and then hung out until bedtime. We just bought a Go Pro camera for our ministry and a bunch of us had fun playing with it and watching the footage from the weekend. You can check out the full recap video at the bottom of this post!

On Monday, we had breakfast followed by our last chapel session. Ben (Sunshine Ridge) hosted a Pastors Q&A. The kids submitted lots of great questions for us to answer. This is always a highlight for me - it's great to address the topics our students are curious about, as well as hear from the other pastors. We get along so well but some of us have different opinions and it's very cool to hear lots of different answers from different people! After chapel, we took a group photo and then went to pack up our stuff. After lunch, we all left camp for another year. We met up in Merritt while we all got gas, and then continued the drive home. The kids sure looked pooped when they got off the bus on Monday evening!

The Bethany group - there were 50 of us!

The whole May Camp group - 133 people

Our last camp selfie

the leaders love camp... but this shows how tired we are at the end of it!

Overall, it was a great weekend at camp! We had a ton of fun and enjoyed learning more about Philippians. Thank you for your prayers! Here is the recap video, filmed by Mark, Eric and Adam and edited by Eric. You can find a shorter video and some other youth videos on our YouTube channel as well.