All Together
In the past years, we have really focused on the Vikings theme and did many "training" activities, sword fights, javelin throwing competitions, etc; but this year, we put a new spin on Vikings Camp and focused it essentially on team bonding. Throughout the week, we were all split into four teams - lead by our club helpers (or "half-leaders" as we call them). During the five days we were at camp, we could earn points for our team by completing challenges and working together during night games. We also had the opportunity to create games for the other teams to compete against each other! We became so bonded as a team and as a whole group that when a couple students got hurt in some activities, we all felt it as each of us wanted to do all we could to help. Yet, it was during these team activities that I really saw the "half-leaders" shine. Instead of choosing the strongest team player to win each activity to get the team the most points, the team leaders gave many of the activity experiences to the younger kids. Then, on one evening as the youth pastor was reading the points accumulated for each team that day, all of the team leaders decided to share some of their points with another team as they had also noticed each other giving up their desires to earn the most points to provide the younger kids with multiple opportunities to enjoy the activities. They truly represented and modeled leadership this past week!
With my team
Part of a team challenge - catching a bug
Throughout the week, some of my favorite times were the moments I spent playing with the kids in between whole group activities. It is fun to see all the games kids are able to come up with when they only have themselves and nature. We played many hand games, used sticks and stones to make Tic-Tac-Toe boards, collected raspberries, and built stone balance towers. Additionally, everyone at camp had another role - my Czech Language Teachers! Even the littlest kids knew that if they talk slowly and sometimes repeat their sentence, I would soon understand. Many of the older kids and half-leaders were my translators during the week; however, they also regularly spoke Czech with me and then asked me to repeat what they said in English. I was amazed at how much I was able to understand in conversations - and even more impressed when I realized I could have full conversations with some of the little kids and only needed help with a few words! Another thing I realized on this camp trip was that a couple of the kids I had met at LetFest and who were in my English Class five years ago were now beginning to translate for me. It has been a real blessing to watch these kids grow up and to see how their English and connection to Plan B Club (Elim) continues to grow.
A stone tower we made
Collecting Raspberries
We spent each evening as a whole group around the campfire and had campfire talks from four people that extended on the LetFest theme - No Fear. Many of the students at camp were also at LetFest, so we used the same theme for the leaders to share faith testimonies and events in our lives when we learned to trust God and live with "no fear." I enjoyed sharing my heart with these kids and explaining how God has given us an opportunity to trust in him completely, even when we are afraid.
Campfire Talks
On our last full day at camp, we were surprised with some rain and a small thunderstorm in the afternoon. We were playing a team game (human foosball) when the rain started. The youth pastor asked if we should go back up to the tents, but we were all having so much fun with the game that it was unanimously voted to stay and play the game in the rain. I was happy we did as the rain cleared up quickly, and we were greeted with a full rainbow in front of us! The thunderstorm rolled through into the evening, but ended before our night game, and we played the night game as the lightning moved over the hills. It was in these moments I felt blessed again by God's beautiful creation.
Enjoying the time at the swimming pond
This week was definitely filled with good friends, fun memories, and God's love.
(Note: If you haven't checked out Kendra's Kid's Corner, there are some fun stories for kids and can introduce your children to some cultural differences and similarities! There have been some more stories added recently.)