Silly cheers on the patio, the ring of the bell resounding through camp, 250 people eating spaghetti in the dining hall, campers running (some stealthy and some not so stealthy) for the all-camp game, the sound (and smell) of teens filling the auditorium for session singing praises to our great God, story after story about how GOD has moved in the lives of countless campers…WE LOVE IT.  We have LOVED youth camp.  Yes, days were long, some circumstances were difficult as we sought His wisdom, and the stories and struggles of some have broken our hearts.  Just a few days ago we sat with the counselors in their last counselor meeting as they recounted the ways that they grew personally and how they saw growth in the lives of their campers.  This is why we are here.  We recently had our mid summer staff celebration and counselor graduation.  (The one time to dress up at camp.)    As each counselor walked up the other night, I couldn’t help but be excited about where and what God will do in them to touch the lives of many.  It was a sweet celebration…what now?  We transition into family camps!

Presenting the 2009 counselors! 

Larry with the senior counselors: Carson and Maggie (we worked closely with them as they were in leadership for the counselors.)

In addition to offering the High Ropes Course to youth and family campers along with outside rental groups, I love being able to offer the activity to our very own staff.  Below is a recent group pic of summer staff who made it through in the rain.  Have I mentioned that I love what we do?!?  In a recent evaluation, one father wrote that the best part was watching his daughter overcome her fears and being able to do the course together.  Others have commented about how much they are learning about trust and control through doing the course…how in spite of wanting control, they need to give areas of life over to the Lord.  A high school girl talked about how she needed to re-evaluate what she was putting her trust in as we talked about firm footing and how that is hard to trust up on the cables. 

Not only do I have a bit of catching up to do on my blog posts and pics, but we also had a catching up with Jared and Lyd…one of my roommates from college and after.  It was so great to see and spend time with them.  Their adorable son Levi loved the playground and a visit to the Mini-farm in between naps and the rain showers that weekend.  It means so much to us when friends are able to visit and see part of what we love at camp and simply spend time together.  Thanks for coming guys, thanks for listening, thanks for your friendship!

Just posted some pics of life on the high ropes course.  Loving it….  -Laura

“She’s Up.”  is simply what Larry says when someone is looking for me and I’m on the High Ropes Course.  And UP it is!  I gotta say, if you would have told me 5 years ago that I would be doing this, I would have laughed at you.  After the building process, an intense training, many prayers, and a handful of tears as I have felt so inadequate in leading this, we are literaly UP and running.  Many ask, “Why high ropes, Laura?  Why all that gear and why so high?”  My response, with a smile: “Let me show you…”  The coolest aspect of this course is that it is a team based.  In order to complete each challenge, participants must work together as a team.  Communication, interdependance, trust, encouragement, vulnerability, commitment, and direction are just a handful of aspcts to unpack with a group.  We then seek to bring life application from the expereince.  I have been challenged as a facilitator to care for physical and emotional saftey, procedures, and group dynamics.  I love it and am excited that we have 17 cabin groups signed up to use the course this week…belay on!

(uuuuuuuuuuggggggggggggg….I have been trying for the past half hour to upload some pics of the course with no sucess….stay tuned….Perhaps my patience and some pics will show up later!)

It really stands for “Welcome Everyone To Camp Forest Springs!” and it is the Sunday evening all-camp game.  High energy, silly, and plenty of action for campers and counselors alike.  Here’s a glimps of the rec-field on Sunday nights: