Week 6 - Egg War - Wed.

“When’s the Egg war?”  -- Staff began hearing this question as soon as campers arrived. The anticipated event did not disappoint. Campers and staff divided into two teams to play “Capture the Flag.” Each received three eggs, which disqualified opponents when they were hit. Everyone enjoyed the time in the woods, the competition, and the mess. The evening built camaraderie and trust.

Following the war, we learned that there are two teams in life. Either we are on God’s team or we’re not on God’s team. There isn’t a sliding scale of good and bad that determines our spiritual position. None of us can be good on our own. We all need God’s gift of life through Christ to be on His team. We were challenged to consider our separation from God and to consider His love that as He welcomes us to come into His family.

Week 6 - God's Unconditional Love - Tues.

Today we learned about God lavishing His love on us. Although we say we "love" for many different things, love has a variety of meanings. We talked about the love that exists in families, in friendships, and in romantic relationships. We learned that God's unconditional love surpasses all other kinds of love. God also doesn't just give us small amounts of love; He gives us His love in abundance when we're His children. 

Our speaker challenged us to think about God's love for us (even though we're naturally His enemies because of sin) throughout the day today. We're working on our pinewood derby cars, we're learning recreational skills (like archery and swimming), and tonight's a big night. Tonight is the Egg War!

Canoeing - Staff are encouraged by the atmosphere of encouragement and support at Teen Boys Camp. Our canoeing elective showed it clearly.  More guys signed up for canoeing than will fit in Camp Cumcito’s canoes this year. Also, in the past, many campers have quit canoeing on Thursday afternoon before the 5:30 am canoe trip on Friday. For these reasons, the canoeing group spent their first rotation carrying their canoes all the way around the lake. 

The campers rose up to meet the challenge. Staff noticed that they worked very well together as teams.  They heard campers say, “I’m not a quitter. I’m doing this.”  Noticing that one canoe lagged far behind the others, staff advised the larger group to use encouraging words with those who lagged. Some of the campers said, “Let’s go help them!” Six guys got under the canoe and carried it together the last 150 yards.

Week 6 – Teen Boys - Mon.

Our camp staff welcomed 38 guys, ages 13-16, just before lunch.  As you might expect, activity fills even the first day of camp for teen boys. After orientation, campers took turns swimming, making pinewood derby cars, and playing sports. 

Before dinner, cabins paired up to compete in the “Great Race.” Teams faced various challenges, like a styrofoam javelin throw, a cookie balancing feat, and racing with boards under their feet.

In the midst of all this activity, our speaker gave us another challenge: to listen to the still small voice of the Lord. We all had different motivations coming to camp and the Lord has His reasons for bringing us here. We’re trusting that God will use the activity, and the stillness, to show us His abundant life.

Week 5 – Winding Down the Week - Friday

Friday morning, on the last full day of camp, it seemed that going outside had become Camp CUMCITO's newest water activity! Thankfully, the thunder and lightning cleared off in time for morning activities (after knocking out Internet communications for the entire camp), so campers were able to swim in the pool and the lake despite the weather.

For most of the day it seemed unlikely that the rain would stop in time for the scheduled Friday night carnival. Staff and campers thought that they might have to make the best of the weather that was sent their way. But less than an hour before show time, the clouds rolled back like the proverbial scroll and the sun came out for the first time all day! God sent perfect carnival weather; although the counselors in the dunk tank found it a bit chilly!

There are so many stories of God's working this week! Several counselors had accounts about campers who had bickered and fought early on finally coming around by the end of the week, and even performing little acts of kindness like tying one another's shoelaces. One cabin had four little girls receive salvation this week; they fully understood the Gospel and wanted to accept Jesus as their Savior! Overall, it's been a great week and we look forward to seeing these kids again next year!

Week 5 – Up, Up, and Away! – Thurs

 The junior campers have been learning about how Jesus is their Good Shepherd, and how they can turn all their worries over to Him and let go of them.

After watching a skit in chapel this morning showing how the Good Shepherd cares for his sheep, our campers were able to participate in another activity illustrating how they can give their cares and concerns to Jesus!

Each camper wrote a worry that they were struggling with on an index card, and after the morning chapel, workers tied these cards to helium balloons and allowed the campers to release them. Every child watched their concerns float away and up (symbolically, of course) to their Savior who cares for them.  It was a beautiful sight and a great lesson!

Week 5 – Lakeside Encouragement – Wed

The oppressive heat stroke has finally broken at Camp! In spite of the hot weather yesterday, our boys enjoyed a morning of exciting activities at the lake, including swimming, boating, and the always popular BATTLE BARGE!

Two of the girls' cabins camped out by the lake all night and learned how to fish and pitch tents. They roasted marshmallows around what was many of the girls' first campfire! One camper caught her very first fish, much to the excitement of the entire cabin.

We have also had an amazing story of God's work in camp this week! One little girl here has health problems that often cause her to be a step behind the rest her cabin. Instead of complaining about her special treatment, or the delays she inadvertently causes, her cabin mates have rallied behind her, supporting and encouraging her when she is struggling- and so have the girls in the cabin next door! Thank God for their new found unity! It is a blessing to see the girls rally together!

Week 5 – Fun & Answered Prayer – Mon & Tues

The second week of Junior Camp is in full swing here at Camp CUMCITO! Our 7 to 9 year olds arrived Monday afternoon and enjoyed an evening of swimming and fun on the playground before ending the night with a spectacular chapel time! Two of the girls' cabins also had a special treat -- the opportunity to pelt their counselors with cereal! The contest was to see which cabin could stick more breakfast food in the shaving cream on their leader's face. How fun is that?!!

We have already seen God's incredible blessing this week. A counselor’s toddler son at home has a lung condition that requires equipment to help him when he can't breathe.  A call from home sent word that his son was not breathing well, and that the equipment was not helping. The counselor was preparing to leave camp and be with his son, so the campers in that cabin had the opportunity to pray before he packed his things to go. At least five of the eight campers prayed out loud for father and son. Within about 10 minutes, a call came in from his wife to say that the equipment company had suggested an easy fix and their son was breathing normally again! The counselor was able to stay at camp and he was able to share with the campers that God had answered their prayers.

We trust that God has and will continue to use this experience of urgent prayer and answered prayer to impact the campers throughout the week.  Hopefully, this is something they won’t soon forget!

Happy birthday to volunteer Paul Gerard!
God bless him for serving with us on his special day!