Former staff member Steve Maynard sent me this link  Camp and College pointing out how Camp prepares kids for college.

Sense of belonging

Positive Experiences

We purpose to help kids grow in confidence, character, and faith and this article supports the claim that camp provides “Experiences that last a lifetime!”

Anyone need a spoon?

The traps had to then be arranged in a particular circular order as per a photograph they were given.

Watch your fingers!

If this wasn’t challenging enough, they had to do this in a windowless room as the facilitator periodically turned lights off and tossed in ping pong balls. As they do in real life, the pastor’s worked through these challenges and successfully set the traps.

Steady! Careful! Steady! Careful!

Mission Accomplished! All traps are set, in a circle, and resting on each other.

The real value from this activity came out as they looked at and discussed HOW the group worked through the challenge and how the information could be used to help each other work through even more difficult situations in their local community as they minister in the real world.

Many groups will do scavenger hunts or maps that require them to travel as a group to find clues.

It is often easy to determine which father and child go together.  It is customary for the guests to commemorate their camp trip by adding another patch to their vest.  Some vests are more elaborate than others and become something like a walking diary.

Keep up the great work Dads!

Trust Fall

They actually fall backward from a high platform and are caught and supported by their team members. This can be a very powerful exercise as it takes the idea of “trust” and makes it more than just a concept.  One of the parts of their leadership training program requires them to use their leadership skills to work to get a three-man team as high as possible on the 40 ft. climbing wall.

Team Climbing

This task is supported by the rest of the men in their group who provide encouragement, direction, and most importantly, belaying support which enables them to take risks knowing that the rope will catch them if they fall.

Belayers Encourage and Surpport the Climbing Team

Neal Morehead
Director, Tecumseh Leadership Center
(765) 564-2898

Heidi and Sheila "Outdoor Education 1997 Season"

Here is an excerpt from Heidi and Sheila’s January 1st “Twenty-Twelve-It” blog post (http://twenty-twelve-it.blogspot.com/):

How are you going to twenty-twelve-it?
In one sentence, record for the world how you are going to twenty-twelve-it. Here are a few “twenty-twelve-it’s” to get you started…

• “I’m gonna twenty-twelve my health by moving more, eating well and drinking water.”
• “I’m gonna twenty-twelve my job search by believing that there is something even better out there and that I am capable of getting it.”
• “I’m gonna twenty-twelve my future by dreaming bigger dreams.”
• “I’m gonna twenty-twelve my relationship with my sister by moving forward in compassion and forgiveness because I know she struggles with her own insecurities just like me.”
• “I’m gonna twenty-twelve my wardrobe with a trip to Goodwill to both give and receive.”
• “I’m gonna twenty-twelve-it by taking care of myself spiritually, physically and emotionally.”

Post your comments and inspire others to twenty-twelve-it as you launch forward into this new year and a new era of hope for the good things to come. We all need a little faith, hope and love.

“How are you going to “Twenty-Twelve-It” this summer?”

Merry Christmas