There is something about sitting around a campfire that seems to make people think about things more deeply.  Last night I had the privilege of sitting in on a camp fire with some of my summer staff.  We had music and smores and then took some time to think and talk about some spiritual questions and topics.  I asked some to share about what made camp appealing or special to them and was very encouraged by their answers.  I know I’m a little biased but I feel we assemble some of the best young people to make up our staff every year.  This year is no exception.  Thanks to all the summer staff and full time staff and volunteers who made this summer so successful!  I would encourage you to perhaps have a campfire out in your yard with your family and friends sometime soon and see how looking at dancing flames of a fire spurs on good conversation.

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Sometimes I’m worried about high school week of camp.  As camp director, I know that many of those teenage campers have been here for 5 years or more.  We even had two eleven year campers this past week!  That’s right.  Anyway, when you have that much experience running around they know all the ins and outs of camp. 

This year was probably one of the top 5 high school camps that I’ve been a part of in my 19 years here at Camp Nathanael.  Gods Spirit was definitely present and many teens became aware of issues in their life that they needed help with.  The speaker, Dr. Gary Almon, called them “buzzards” and it seemed to hit home with many of the campers.   I also want to thank Steven Bell for leading us in praise and worship this past week.  He is pretty much a constant during high school week and we really appreciate him stepping up and leading a cabin group this week as well.

If there are any campers wanting to comment about their week just click below and let us know what you thought of your week.

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They may never record a song with a record label but I’d take the music being sung at music hour at camp any day over some of the stuff that’s being released.  You see, these kids aren’t doing it for fame or fortune, they just love to make a joyful noise.  And although there are a few times when quality may be lacking, that is usually super-ceded by heart.  No one is ever laughed at or made fun of at camps music hour.  Instead it’s enthusiastic applause and pats on the back when a camper finishes his or her special.  Dick Bowers used to say that during any given week “a star could be born”.  Of course there’s always that chance of being picked by the music committee to sing on the radio program that is produced every week of summer camp.  “The Voice of Camp Nathanael” can be heard on two local radio stations each Saturday morning.  We invite you to gather round and tune in.

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It wasn’t long after Beth and I arrived here in May of 1990 that I began dreaming of a gym being built at camp.  It was really not only a prayer request answered but a dream come true when camp finally opened its gym.  One reason why I think it was so high on my “wish list” is because I was the recreation director back in my early years and every time the thunderstorms came I was left scrambling for ideas to not only keep kids dry but also to keep them occupied.  One summer we had cabin skits in the shelter building.  One time we had a group of high school students that crammed into the Kentucky building.  Those were unique times it which you had to think very fast on your feet.  It was also very stressful too. 

Today we just funnel them into the gym and have fun there.  Tonight we had such a storm so we had after supper recreation in the gym with all 92 campers.  We even moved the store over there to keep kids out of the rain.  Yes, it still took some flexibility from my staff and some adjustments from the recreation director but not nearly as difficult as the “old days”.

Let me take this opportunity to just brag on my staff this year.  What an awesome job they did in rolling with the punches and allowing that great love of God shine through tonight, even through the rain!  “Thanks guys!”

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Today was our first day of the 2009 day camp.  We had about 100 kids who participated in all different kinds of activities.  One of my most favorite times of those three days is swim time.  I love to hear kids screaming and splashing and having a great time.  I also like to see the summer staff right in the middle of those kids in the pool.  I saw one of my guys giving “water” horsey rides to one of the kids on his team.  As I saw this little guy laughing and having a great time I thought  for sure this is a memory making moment in this childs life.  In fact it might be the reason why that when when this boy gets to be in the fourth grade he does his lessons and earns his free week to Camp Nathanael.

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One of my jobs over the last 15 years is to make sure the pool is ready by Day Camp week.  It would be a disaster if there was no pool to swim in.  This year we drained the pool to install new drain covers mandated by the state.  I had a lot of help from some people who traveled all the way from Pennsylvania.  They prepped the pool and painted it for me this year.  They cleaned out the slide tank and cleaned both girls and guys side of the pool house.  What a blessing that was.

Finally the day came to start filling.  WOW!  What a process that was.  First, it took almost 4 days to do that.  I guess 120,000 gallons is a lot of water.  But the water came straight from our well.  It’s the same original one that was drilled over 75 years ago.  Although the pump never quit pumping the water wasn’t crystal clear as you can see in my picture.  However, in just a couple of days and a lot of work the pool now is clear and blue.  It will be so refreshing and fun to play in this summer.  I was wondering if anybody out there might be able to tell me how this story about the pool might apply to a spiritual truth or lesson.  I can’t wait to hear your comments.

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I can’t believe summer camp is almost here!  I told you before in an earlier post that I would tell you the theme.  Well, here it is!  The theme for the 2009 summer camp season is……… “ENERGIZED”.  We will be learning  about the power that is available to you if you are one of God’s children.  I know that you’ll come with a lot of excitement and energy yourselves but I hope you’ll be ready to learn a lot about the power only God can give.  

As far as the campgrounds are concerned, I just about have the pool filled and we will probably have a brand new flag pole set up too.  The girls shower house received a brand new ceramic floor and a fresh coat of paint!  All of the girls will love it.  One of the horses at the stable is new.  It looks like a painted horse.  There are many more things that you’ll notice as new or improved when you get here.

Don’t forget to get all your papers in if you’re planning on coming to camp this year.  If you still haven’t registered, there is still time to do so.  Just go to the home page and click on forms and print off a  pre-registration form.  Don’t forget to invite your friends that you know would enjoy a week of fun and excitement.  Oh, and when you get here prepare to be ENERGIZED!

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Allow me to first say that I am sorry about the delay.  The good news is I think camp will be ready for all of you planning to come this summer.

I don’t want this particular post to be controversial.  I know that when it comes to marshmallow roasting there are many different ways to get to the finished product.  My only question is this; “Do you really enjoy that charred taste of one that’s been torched beyond recognition?”  As I sat and watched, over 80% of kids simply stuck their marshmallow directly into the fire and watched what used to be a perfectly fine fluffy white one and turn it into a flaming inferno.  Then after a five second charring they would blow the flame leaving a burnt  mass of sugar at the end of their stick.  “Do you like the way that tastes?”, I asked.  Most said no but they were to impatient to sit and roast one.  “Have you ever tasted one done to golden brown perfection?”, I asked.  Again, most said no.  I suddenly decided to go on a roasting quest.  It took about a minute for me to roast one to a beautiful golden brown.  “Here”, I said.  “Try this”.  I gave it to a little girl and she munched it right down.  “I never knew they could taste like this!”, she said.  She decided to try one herself and before long several were tasting the benefits of roasting a marshmallow the right way.

I wonder if sometimes our relationship with God is like that to some people.  They are in such a hurry that they don’t take the proper amount of time to invest to get the full benefit.  They really don’t even know what they’re  missing.  God’s word directs us to “taste and see that He is good”.  Let’s just not rush it.

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Myself with "The Five"

I can’t even count the number of weekend retreats I’ve been involved with over my Camp Nathanael career but I’d have to say it’s over 100.  This last one was especially memorable though.  It wasn’t so much the amount of kids that were there because it was actually a smaller group.  No, what made it memorable for me was the Saturday afternoon “chat” that I had with a group of 5 girls.

It started with them wanting to go across the swinging bridge.  We have a rule at camp that you need to have a staff person with you if you want to cross.  There was no one assigned that weekend so those girls asked if I would go with them.  I said, “Yes”, and after we finished one asked, “What are those little brown cabins for?”  I told them they were mainly for staff housing in the summer time.  The conversation then turned to how all the mission staff are supported missionaries that raise support in order to be a part of Camp Nathanael.  It was a new concept for most of them but I think they understood after I explained.  They realized that it was the generosity of literally thousands of donors that allowed most of them to come to camp for free.  I used that moment to challenge them to perhaps give to camp when they were able to keep the free camper option going for perhaps even their kids some day.  Anyways, I had a good time talking with you girls.  Thanks for the picture Brittany!

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We are into our second weekend breakaway event.  We have well over 100 4th,5th and 6th graders from Harlan, Leslie and Johnson counties.  We have two more to go after this one.  The dates are on the web site.  The full time staff at camp would like to thank all those college and high school kids who help staff those weekend events.  It would be really hard to do without them.  We had snow Thursday night so a lot of kids thought we would cancel this weekends retreat but the roads cleared up pretty well so we went ahead and had it.  I’m glad we did.  I think the kids are glad too!  Until next time.

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