We just had an interesting post on Camp’s facebook page that made me wonder about the things that trigger camp memories for people.

“did you know you can find Choco Tacos at Kroger!!! Boxes of them…Camp memories in my freezer ”

Trading Post Choco Taco

What things do you encounter in your day that trigger Camp memories?

This slideshow celebrates the dozens of people who served thousands of people at Camp Tecumseh in 2010.  Thanks for a great year…

I first discovered “Minglets” at camp.  Someone opened a new jug of milk and used the plastic ring to make a heart-shaped gift.   I always enjoyed receiving them as well as passing them along to someone else.  It was common to see them strung onto necklaces, bracelets, and shoestrings.  It was a great way to simply let someone know that they were special.  Some of the milk jug designs have changed so that you must break the ring to remove the cap but there are milk companies out there still using the rings pictured above.

Save the rings when you find them until you see someone that needs a little encouragement.  You can then create a “Minglet” and spread a little joy.

Please add a comment to this post if you have a “Minglet” story.

As part of last week’s Color Wars, each team was allowed to submit a poem about their camp experience (Color Wars includes the arts as well as cooperation points, not just competition). We think you will enjoy the creative expression of these teen campers. Enjoy. We will post more later this week.

Oh Tecumseh by Teton cabin week 8, 2010

Oh Tecumseh, where to start?
We adore you so much for filling our hearts.

Seven days just isn’t enough,
Going home is always quite tough.

Chapel, Lake, and Being Third,
Always learning about God’s word.

Camp friends stay closer than any other,
While counselors love us like a second mother.

No matter what, I’ll go through pain or strife,
I know Camp T has truly changed my life.

The Lake by Lakota cabin week 8, 2010

Everyone sitting on the sand waiting to splash
     into the glistening water.
The sun shines on the water like a shining star.
Campers lining up for the slides, screaming laughing,
     and having a great time!
Poison ivy roaming the hill like a vulture.
Kids jumping on the trampoline trying to get blobbed
     to soar as high as the zipline.
Paddle boats floating like ducks.

Fixing the Puzzle by Malik Newsom,
Mingo, week 8, 2010

People are like puzzle pieces;
All fitting in the correct place,
With different sizes and shapes
Making the perfect picture.

All have different characteristics
Which creates a challenge finding
where you belong.

Some have determination, that drive,
pushing toward success.
Others might have comfort, that soft,
Understanding feeling used upon others in need.

Ones that are lucky find the Light by chance.
While others have been born into it.

We worry whether or not we are perfect or homely,
Based solely on appearance,
But what we seek to understand is
Whether we are clean or dirty.

But the One who makes the puzzle
We are already perfect or need more time to believe so,
Because He does and always will.
Once we realize that, the puzzle will be complete.

On Wednesday of this week, Camp Tecumseh was part of “The World’s Largest Campfire.” Camps from coast to coast held special campfire celebrations in honor of 125 years of YMCA Camping, and many special guests came to help us celebrate.

This is Adam’s Week 5 brief introduction to chapel. We give a similar introduction on Monday during every week of summer camp. The “Wheres and Whys” of chapel at Camp Tecumseh.

The CILT Boys rap about their temporary accommodation: The Yurt! From Week Two closing campfire.

Video from yesterday’s World Service Carnival in Lake Village.  Check out our Facebook page for the current camper records for the activities shown here!

The YMCA World Service program allows kids to donate money to various YMCA World Service funds.  These programs help children and families in the United States and around the world who may be victims of disasters or difficult political situations.

At Camp Tecumseh campers buy World Service tickets to participate in the special activities shown in this video.  The money collected from Camp Tecumseh World Service activities has gone help thousands of people locally, nationally, and internationally.  It has aided victims of Hurricane Katrina, helped to pay to send school supplies to children in Africa, provided supplies for local victims of Wabash and Tippecanoe River flooding, and provided thousands of dollars to the YMCA of the USA’s World Service Fund.

The Man Hike lives on.  The yearly male staff tradition happened again last evening.  Here are some clips cut together from the experience!

Michael Brandwein (right) teaches the 2010 Summer Staff

Internationally known Michael Brandwein, widely recognized as the best camp trainer in the country, led the Tecumseh staff through five hours of intense work today. Filled with humor, Michael’s training helps counselors and instructors take their communication skills up a level. “Level one skills are about teaching activities like canoeing and horsemanship. Michael helps us see how we can easily use a slightly different approach and impact life-skills and character with the same situations. Patience, persistence, working together, creativity, taking care of one another….we can help campers grow in all these areas.”