Camp Re-Cap

Camp Re-Cap
To GOD be the glory…GREAT things HE has done.
We feel so blessed and privileged to have been graced by GOD to have this camp for our grandchildren. It is His grace and mercy that allowed us to have the training and experience that we could even pull off something like this. We want to give HIM all the glory and honor for anything that our grandchildren experienced that was good at our home this past week.
It started on Wednesday- when the Smith van pulled into our front yard with all the campers! This included our 8 oldest grandchildren- ages 14, 12,12, 10, 8, 8, 7, 6 .We were ALL so excited. The kids got to work pitching the tents- the girls and boys’ tent! After a quick lunch we started in with our first project- the Hike by one of the twins. She had put together a booklet of leaves that she wanted them to identify- (she and her sister had come last week and marked the trail with orange tape so they knew EXATCTLY what they were doing). The campers were all so attentive and had a great time. The youngest camper was so glad to get back to camp that she fell to the ground and collapsed on her back pack!
Swimming that afternoon and for the next 2 days was a highlight. The kids had a canoe, a paddle boat and an inflatable boat so they played- switched boats- swam- had such a great time. Our lake is VERY low (see the sea wall on the canoe picture? The water is supposed to be to the top of that!) Anyway, the kids wore life vests but they could stand almost anywhere in the bay we are on so we didn’t have to worry too much about them- we both kept our eyes on them at all times though. You would think this would have worn them all out! No….our other activities included crafts consisting of a nature vase made from things they collected on the hike, they painted a plaster figurine, also painted a bird house, and make a leaf transfer cover for their camp notebook. We had marching class, archery class, shooting class (b-b guns);
Rope knot tying class excellently taught by the oldest of the boys (8)- he had handouts and all, then the other twin taught a class on “Fishing”. Her class was complete with packets for each camper with a “lure, hook and heavy line to practice making fisherman’s knots. She also taught on how to work several different kinds of lures, what to wear when fishing, etc. Even Dave and I learned some thing! These kids are teachers in the making! There was also a checker tournament and Chinese checker tournament which were bracketed so they played them in their “free time”. The kids were divided into the red and blue team and each meal one of the groups was on k.p. and helped prepare and clean up the meal. Camp songs were sung after the noon meal- devotions after breakfast and before bed. Bedtime…the boys never managed to stay in their tents all night- first night- too light…then too hot…so they came inside and slept. All the girls stayed out the first night and all but 2 came in the second night. Our nights were still 90 degrees at 10 o’clock so they had some legitimate excuses!
The camp director had trouble sleeping! Only got 4 hours the night before they came and 4 the first night they were here. At 6:30 A.M-FIRST morning- ONE HOUR EARLY- the trumpeter played Reveille! This was accompanied by shouts of, “Yea, we can come out of our tents now!” Dave and I wearily swung our legs over the edge of the bed and rolled out…ready for another day of camp. Dave was the GREATEST Grand-dad ever. He was at my side helping every moment and single handily taught the shooting classes- also drove the boat so all could go tubing on the lake-
took one group out in the boat fishing one night- was just so wonderful. Without him- camp could have not gone on.
In our Bible devotional times we studied the Proverb for the day- also Col. 3: 12-15 about clothing ourselves with kindness and humility.
All the children got along so well- they truly enjoyed each other and there was much laughter, squealing and fun.
The last night the parents who were in town came and had dinner with us and the kids did a marching drill, sang some of their camp songs, showed off their crafts and ended with a treasure hunt which the oldest camper had written. It was so well written in rhyme and verse that they needed the author to help them out on the 17 clues taking them all around the property several times!
At 9:00 when they all left...we were left with just a very quiet home...the swing now stands lonesome and waiting for the time when the grandchildren will return!


To GOD BE THE GLORY~!