YMAD

DAY 4

This morning I made my rounds through the YMAD camp at breakfast.  This is clearly a great group of kids and all seem to be enjoying their experience.  Although morning is not the best time of day to get comments from most of the campers, they did manage to give me some thoughts to share.

Last night was the Night Swim which people enjoyed.  A high diving contest was part of the event and I was told that one particular camper jumped off the diving board and went 19 feet into the air to win.  Several campers confirmed this distance but it sounds like an incredible dive to me.

Campers continue to rave about the food at camp.  Several mentioned how much they enjoyed the menu and one camper said the "food is good but God is better."  One camper thought the waffles were really good but tasted like french toast to him.

The weather continues to remain sunny and warm.  It is cool in the mornings but that makes for a great night's sleep.

Chapel this morning was challenging campers to think about "how do you live in a dark world and still be the people of God?"  In addition the leader talked about following after the values of God and then articulating what matters to others."

Here are some random comments from campers...
We are having a blast!
During quiet time one person's sneeze was heard in every cabin.
Knee injuries really hurt!
Our competition is really friendly.
Hi.
We enjoyed the creek stomping.
The night swim was fun.
Moore cabin finally won the trophy but didn't want to carry it around all day.
Mike

YMAD

Day 3

Last night was the traditional Counselor Hunt.  It seems the staff is getting so proficient in finding hiding places that the game had to be halted because the campers had only found a few of the counselors.  Apparently only Upper Shephard was willing to venture into the woods to search for the staff where most of them were hiding.  Note: don't worry parents, we have a designated area where the game takes place and we have plenty of other staff monitoring the campers during the game.

Several campers stated that the food at Redwood Glen is spectacular!  One camper did tell me that she learned a lesson which is if you are going to put hot sauce on your breakfast potatoes, don't drink the OJ to wash it down.  Yuck!

I heard that in the cabin competition, Sunshine is on top of everything and I also have seen glimpses of a giant trophy (blow up type) being carried from place to place.

The rehearsals are going well and this morning I sat in on a group session.  I think parents and care providers are going to enjoy the show on Saturday.  We do have some very talented campers this year.

Chapel this morning focused on the concept of "whose life can I make better?"  We were reminded that we are all supposed to be connected with each other and that we were once all aliens and foreigners but now God is knitting us together to be united as the church of God.

The weather couldn't be more beautiful and all seem to be having a wonderful time.
Mike

ADVENTURE CAMP

DAY 3

I visited Junior Adventure Camp this morning during their breakfast.  It was a good looking meal of cereal, fruit, french toast and sausages and everyone was chowing down.  It seems as though there is a new food choice with the Adventure campers.  It is called the Bradwich and consists of wrapping a sausage with french toast and then generously applying mustard.  Yummy! They were so busy enjoying the food and conversation with each other that it was difficult to get material for today's blog.  Here are some of their thoughts...

The food is delicious! (several people mentioned this)

Yesterday, everyone enjoyed the creek stomping although a couple of campers commented on the cold water.  Others mentioned that they found soap stones and the crawdads  in the creek.  Many told me that they also loved swimming in the pool yesterday as well.  


Last night's campfire was fun especially with the addition of popsicles.


There were several who commented on the craft project from yesterday.  They used beads and created different animals and objects with them.  Banana Slugs, Alligators, Tie Die Lizards and a cross were specifically mentioned.


The campers all heard a Hog Squirrel calling in the night.  I'm not sure if this is a real animal but it sounds pretty impressive.


Finally, a lively game of UNO was played which included lots of dog barking as a result.


Today, the campers are looking forward to some great activities including Archery and a Night Hike.


These campers are having a wonderful time and it is lots of fun just to be around them
Mike

ADVENTURE CAMP

DAY 2

The staff feel that his is a great group of kids!  They are working together, getting along and listening to direction from staff.  This is a great combination and a wonderful way to start the week together.
Last Night
Dinner was great!  Later the campers enjoyed the campfire and sang camp songs.  A highlight of the music was when all were singing "Up Clucky Clucky".  Then they all enjoyed homemade funnel cake around the fire.
Today
Campers all said that they got a good nights sleep and when I visited,  they were busy eating a hearty breakfast.  Each person is looking forward to today's activities.  They were especially looking forward to Creek Stomping followed by lunch and this afternoon they are scheduled at the pool and chapel time.
One camper said "See you soon mother."

YMAD

DAY 2

The day has started with beautiful weather.  There were several camper quotes to share this morning...
"I love to be back in the Redwoods."
One camper said that he "got the part he wanted in the musical and breakfast was very filling."
"Everyone is super excited and not tired" (a little bit of sarcasm there).
Two staff were learning Spanish Sign Language.
Several campers thought they heard a raccoon scratching at their door last night.
The left side of Sunshine woke up late this morning.
"The food is great here!"
"This is the best camp ever!"
The nurse said that the campers are a very healthy group.
One young lady got the solo she wanted.
At the auditions last evening, the staff felt that this was a very talented group of young people.
Today the schedule calls for workshops and rehearsal for the musical, some pool time and this evening a counselor hunt is planned.

I was advised to write that "No ducks were harmed in the writing of this blog".
Mike

ADVENTURE CAMP  & YOUTH MUSIC AND DRAMA CAMP

DAY 1

The campers arrived this afternoon to begin our next two summer program camps at Redwood Glen.  It was a beautiful afternoon at the camp and the children and youth came prepared for an experience to remember.

Adventure Camp

The schedule called for the camp picture to be taken this afternoon followed by a time of getting acquainted and then the evening campfire together.

YMAD

Campers began listening to their musical "Prodigal" late this afternoon which then led to the first group rehearsal and auditions for parts.  Of course the evening culminated with a great campfire and snacks.

Each day I will visit campers and staff to ask about all the fun and excitement that they are all having.  I will attempt to capture the spirit of the camps in this blog and share it with all of you.  As the week progresses, hopefully you will feel a part of the experience.  So please check in daily and read about all the goings on at camp.  In addition, you can also log into pictures.redwoodglen.com and see some pictures of what the campers are doing.

Mike

Hi everyone,

I thought you might like to see the Camp Picture for CMAD 2012.  Enjoy.

Mike

CMAD  CAMP, LAST DAY

Saturday was the ending day of CMAD camp however this posting comes a day later because of the busyness of the open house.

On Friday, the campers enjoyed swimming, playing Boom ball and using the Hamster Ball.  I received various comments on the yummy food, campers enjoying the workshops (especially the stagecraft and drama workshops) and there were several who exclaimed that "this camp is awesome."  The "elbows off the table" song was very popular for this camp and the last I saw, one of the counselors had to parade around the dining hall because he had his elbows on the table and when he returned to his plate, most of his food was missing.

Preparation for the performance was going well and most thought that campers were ready to give it their all.  The props were made, the solos were ready and the campers who were doing speaking parts completed all their practicing.

SATURDAY OF CMAD

The performance on Saturday morning was wonderful.  The campers sang, danced and spoke into the hearts of all watching.  It was a joy to watch the proud friends, family and parents in the audience soak up the wonders of the children who were performing.  The presentation was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone as the campers ended with What a Mighty God We Serve.  The directors and staff did a wonderful job during the week of not only preparing for the musical but enjoying activities with the children and genuinely loving them for the week.  Several campers made a decision to accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior and all went home with great memories.

Many stayed for the open house activities and participated in some of the games.  Thanks to all for a great week.
Mike