Week Two - Thursday Update

The 4th of July was celebrated with a late night swim and dance party in the canteen!  Our wonderful cook made special treats and there were red, white and blue decorations all around the pool.  The pool water was almost refreshing after a hot day in the sun.

We could hear fireworks even over the music that was blaring.  The girls were excited to do something different for the holiday, although some were wishing they were home with their families.  Many of the returning teen girls have made coming to camp a holiday tradition because it is usually held the week of the 4th.

Even after all the excitement of the party, some of the girls chose camping out as their optional activity.  There were 3 cabins of girls and one cabin for staff.  At 5:30 am one of the recreation staff woke up and noticed there were 3 girls standing outside of their tent.  These were the 16 year olds, our most veteran campers.  They were talking quietly and she couldn’t quite hear what they were saying.  All of the sudden they started shaking out their tent! 

They talked a little more and then one of the campers started praying over the tent.  Our rec staff person, Jodie, heard them asking God to remove all the bugs so they could get back to sleep!  They gave the tent one more shake, went back inside and went right back to sleep.  That’s called trusting God!

Prayer requests for Thursday, July 5th:

• Praise God for our fun 4th of July celebration last night. 
• Praise that several cabins have had deep devotions.  The campers have started opening up.  There have been many tears and late night conversations.
• Today we are going to Truman Lake where the girls will swim and have a picnic supper.  Please pray for safety and fun! 
• The heat is causing headaches, swollen ankles, leg cramps and sunburns.  Allergy symptoms have also kept our nurse busy late into the night.
• Many campers have requested prayers for their families.  Our God knows each of their situations and needs.  Some would like their family members and friends to come to know Christ and for Him to keep them safe. 
• They also want God to change their attitudes and to reduce the stress in their lives which will only come as they learn to trust Him more.
• The counselors (and all staff) would like prayers for energy and perseverance to finish the week strong.  Good restful restorative sleep is also needed.
• We have a camper with a sprained ankle.
• 2 sisters who are homesick.
• Campers testing their counselors
• Many girls who are more concerned about what others think than what God thinks.

Thank you, thank you for your prayers!  They are where all the power comes from!!!

Week Two - Teen Girls at Camp

We have 54 girls at camp this week and the only way to keep cool is by getting wet!  Yesterday afternoon the girls spent time in the pool and at the lake last evening. We had a cookout and s’mores, showers and finally it was time for chapel. By the time the girls had finished devotions, they were so tired that all lights were out within 15 minuntes of the final bell!

There is at least one camper who has never been to church and this is her first time hearing about God!  Another camper has made it quite clear that she doesn’t want to hear about God.  We are praying that God will touch both of their hearts, as well as the hearts of all of the campers in His way and His time so that lives will be changed!

During breakfast at one of the tables the girls began sharing some very hard things going on in their lives.  The counselor shared that her father passed away recently and one of the campers shared that her father was killed in a car accident.  Another camper’s father has been in jail her whole life.  Another’s brother may be going to jail soon.  But because of all the hard things, they all agree that God is real!

 Prayer Requests:

• Please pray for a break in the hot dry weather and restful sleep for campers and staff.
• Unity in the cabins and that the veteran campers will welcome and help the newbies.
• Patience
• Healthy relationships between staff and campers.
• Creativity in ways to connect with these girls, showing them the right balance between love and authority.
• Wisdom and answers to hard questions.
• Pray that the girls will begin to open up and experience God’s love.
• Scripture will be learned and applied after camp.
• Good health for staff & campers.
• One teacher has a cough, a manager had a migraine and their are a lot of sore throats.
• Also, for our teacher Kalie:  Pray for focus and the ability not to notice distractions during chapel.  That God will use what she has prepared and for the Holy Spirit to give her His words. 
• There is one camper who has made it clear she doesn’t want to be here nor to hear about God.  Pray for God to soften her heart as well as the hearts of all of the campers He has brought here this week!

Week One - Friday's Carnival

Friday was the last full day at camp and we had a carnival! The Development Team from the Mission’s offices in Kansas City drove down to run the different booths. Some of the fun was popping balloons with darts, a dunking booth, a VERY wet water relay, face painting, horseshoes, basketball, refreshments and more.  It was a great time for the children to just relax, have fun and celebrate a very active and spirit filled week of camp.

A camper whose name is Jacier shared what he is learning, ”I can live a better life by trusting in God day by day”. 

Other campers had these comments to share during chapel – “Even though we mess up He will still love you.”  - “If you need friend to talk to, you can talk to Jesus!”

Three cabins went to camp out last night and they had an awesome devotion time.

Many campers asked great questions about Jesus and salvation.

Please continue to pray for the counselors for patience and wisdom when they are asked questions so that they can answer and teach what campers need to know. Also, please pray for campers, not only during the week, but also when they go back home that they will understand and receive the gift of God and have better understanding of Kingdom of God through the Holy Spirit! Please pray the campers know that God is there for them wherever they are.

Week One - Thursday update

What a blessing for camp staff to have the opporunity to be here and share the love with these wonderful children!  We are thankful for the nice weather, although hot! 

We have a few campers with discipline issues and we pray that it can be a great opportunity for us to love them and share our lives.  There are several campers with problems at home with fighting parents. We pray asking God to give them peace and comfort.  Please remember to pray for camp staff to have strength to deal with campers and share God's love with them.

During one of the optional cooking activities, one of the cooks helped the kiddos make cookies.  She gave them each a teaspoon of cookie dough to enjoy, however a camper named De’Andre decided to give his spoonful to another cook, Ms. Becky, which really made her day.  When De’Andre was told how this kindness made her so happy, it made him smile real big!  The rec staff then relayed the big smiles from De’Andre back to Ms. Becky, which brought tears to her eyes. All this happiness in such a simple act of kindness touched everyone else too!  Funny how one teaspoon of cookie dough can touch so many hearts!

Week One - Junior Camp

It's been a HOT week, but so much fun for the boys and girls, ages 9-10 who were blessed to attend.  Many of them came back from last year. A few girls were homesick the first day, but they were over it quickly.  One camper was so excited to be at camp, he said,  "It's my first time to be apart from my mom this far!" He got to experience fishing for the first time too!

One cabin got a chance to be in a morning skit where one of the girls enjoyed playing the part of  the 'King', which represents Jesus.  She learned that Jesus wants her to know more about Him.

It seems like campers are really enjoying the camp, they are so passionate to memorize the verse!  Praise the Lord!

 

Camp Summary

Camp CUMCITO 2011 official camp season is over, resulting in many memories, relationships and changed lives. 

The summer was a HOT, dry one, but we thank God that there were no serious heat-related illnesses at camp.  The camp staff was pro-active in preventing this by serving Gatorade at meals, keeping the campers hydrated throughout the hot days with water, strategically placed around camp by our dedicated janitors.  

Another COOL way to be refreshed was the daily canteen, where campers get to choose one snack and one drink each day and eat in our shaded breezeway. 

There was a total of 473 campers over the 5 weekly sessions, with 262 volunteer staff to counsel, lead activities, keep well and well-fed and lead in two Chapels a day. The Chapel is one of the few air conditioned buildings on the grounds, so the campers could cool off while learning about our Ultimate Rescue, our Ultimate Hero . . . . Jesus. 

A large percentage of the campers earned the 'Memory Award' for memorizing a verse each day.  For doing that, they received a certificate and a selected 'reward' to take home, but most important, they received the Word of God, hidden in their hearts!

This week has been spent with Summer Staff and volunteers visiting the homes of each of our campers to take a packet of materials, any items left at camp and to build relationships.  This is the first event on our 'Follow-up' Calendar.  Any camp staff may choose one or more campers to stay in touch with throughout the year.  

The next big event to deepen the relationships that begun at camp will be the annual Fall Retreat on September 23-25.  Staff members can invite one or two campers to join them back at camp for a weekend of Fall activities! 

Camp CUMCITO is a wonderful opportunity for children from 4-16 years old to spend a week in the country, doing activities they wouldn't normally get to do, eat delicious meals, make new friends and learn about God.  But it is often the staff who are touched spiritually and changed forever.  If you have not yet volunteered for a week at Camp CUMCITO, and would like more information, please contact the camp office at campworkers@cityunionmission.org.   

Serving at camp this summer, along with our 262 volunteers were 4 amazing college students on our Camp Summer Intern program.  They served in different roles each week and helped clean and prepare for the next week each Saturday.  Thanks Brett, Sarah, Jesse and Cassandra!

Our camp summer interns: Brett Mach, Sarah Todd, Jesse Bonin,
Cassandra Hank, with Travis Bradburn, Camp Administrator

Teen Boys Camp - Friday's Canoe Trip

Today was the teen boy’s canoe trip and a ton of emotions took place on our long trip to Truman Lake. Walking down to the lake a few of the campers mentioned their training that they had to complete for the adventure today. It took a total of three days. They worked on paddling & flipping the canoe over after being in the water, and how to walk with the heavy canoe. 

The walk to the lake was long and hot. After reaching the water the campers were refreshed. The canoes went in the water and they headed to the cliff. 

The staff checked the water below the jump site for branches or rocks and after everything was cleared, the campers began the 25 foot climb to the top. 

At the top of the cliff the campers agreed it was a little frightening, but after their first jump they climbed right back up and did it a second and third time. 

Before they knew it, it was time to go. A total of three canoes flipped over on are way back. A few campers trying to help out the others practiced what they had learned in training.  It took a lot of help from the staff to make this activity happen, but it was well worth the effort as everyone thought it was a fun trip. Everyone made it back just in time for dinner, with many campers already thinking about their next canoe trip!