English Camp
Day 1
I arrived at English Camp on Sunday afternoon and met with many friends I had made the previous year. It was wonderful seeing so many familiar faces! I knew I was only going to stay a few days, so I quickly jumped into conversations and chatted with as many people as I could. I was thrown into a team for Quiz Night at camp. I knew the majority of the people on the team, but the new American teacher didn't catch my introduction before the quiz began. I was speaking mostly in Czech with the team, but when the task came to label all 50 States, the paper and pencil were shoved into my hands as my 5th grade geography skills came rushing back. After the task, the American teacher looked at me and said, "Please, tell me how you were able to do that faster than I could have?" Realizing he had missed my introduction, I simply said, "Well, I am American..." And he replied, "Oh, that would make sense!" Our team had a good laugh together before we continued the quiz!
Day 2
The topic for camp this year was "Around the World," so the kids participated in a topic about animals around the world. They worked together to make lists of animals that live in the ocean, on the farm, in the jungle/forest, and in the desert. We played pantomime games, and the students creatively decorated animal masks. "Animals" is one of those topics that you can't go wrong with in a class of a dozen children!
Day 3
The "Around the World" theme continued with landforms! The students drew landforms on the pavement with chalk, and we went on a "bear hunt" as we traveled over the hills and mountains, through the forests and rivers, and around the lakes! We played a tag game that "trapped" students on "islands" forcing the rest of the class to weave around their friends to the other side of the playing field. They were having so much fun that my translator and I had to convince the kids they needed a water break as we herded the group indoors.
I joined in an abstract art painting workshop. I have never seen myself as a talented artist, but the abstract seemed to be working for me. After about an hour, the girl next to me and I started merging our art together and splattering paint spots over the pictures! We loved the way it looked and almost instantly became "professional artists" and took over the canvas with our firework brushstrokes and amateur color mixing skills. We were doing no more than a three-year-old could have done with a paintbrush and palette, but the joy leaked from our fingertips! Yet, my favorite part of the activity was the fast new friend I made and the hours of fun we had chatting after the workshop had concluded.
Day 4
This day was planned to be a whole camp Hike Day; unfortunately, Mother Nature misplaced the invitation and misty rain clouded the sky all morning. I was asked to teach another lesson for the kids and spontaneously put together a lesson continuing in the "Around the World" theme about transportation. We enjoyed acting out different modes of transportation and using every corner of the classroom to wear off energy as the rain continued to soak the outdoors.
I left English Camp during the afternoon of the fourth day. I would have enjoyed staying the whole week with these friends and kids, but I knew I should allow my body to rest after LetFest and before Vikings Camp began. I wanted to be completely healthy to continue in the the next summer activities!
A short review video about Kid's Class at English Camp!
Vikings Camp
Day 1
We arrived Monday morning to camp to set up the main tents before the campers came. It was warm, but a nice breeze kept us from scorching under the sun before we got the tents up for some shade. Shortly after the big tents were up, the campers began arriving. There were a dozen little girls this year at camp - a record for Vikings Camp! I quickly realized camping with little girls is very different from camping with the boys; as some boys were creating their own shelter from sticks they had gathered in the forest, a group of three little girls were setting up two tents - one for sleeping and one to keep their bags! It was so fun sitting by the swimming pool and around the campfire with these sweet girls. My heart was full, and I was so excited for the rest of the week with this group!
QUARANTINED
In the middle of the night, I awoke with a fever and a rapid case of the stomach flu. Thankfully, some of my caring half-leaders and the youth pastor were quick to my aid, and I was rushed home. The next morning, an Elim leader stopped by to bring me medicine, tea, and crackers. Then, I didn't see another person for 48 hours. I rested and when I started feeling okay again, I spent much time praying for the campers and leaders at Vikings Camp. I waited for updates and pictures from compassionate half-leaders and the youth pastor that helped me still feel a part of camp during the hours trapped at home.
Day 4
I was allowed back to camp for lunch on Thursday, and I couldn't have been more excited to see all the campers! Everyone quickly filled me in with all that had been happening at camp in between endless hugs from the little girls. I soon found out my team (called "The Catastrophes") was in last place for our camp competitions, but since I was still on the mend, I knew I wouldn't be much help in the physical activities. So, I just started encouraging my team and cheering them in the competitions. Suddenly, we started winning many of the competitions! My team members continued saying, "It's because we have Kendra back!" This surprised me, and I said, "But I'm not doing these physical competitions; I'm just cheering for you." One replied, "That's exactly what we were missing all week!" It was a reminder of how important each member of the team is. I was so proud of what they had accomplished and the way they worked as a team to bring out each others' strengths. By the end of the day, "The Catastrophes" had made a big comeback, but more importantly, we enjoyed the time spent all together.
Day 5
Sometimes it is faster to get the kids on their way home before cleaning the campground, but with this group it was not the case. Many of the kids migrated around the camp to help friends roll sleeping bags, fold tents, and stuff bags. A group of the younger kids stuck around to help with the tear-down of the big tent, and it was one of the fastest clean-ups of camp that I had ever seen with all the little helping hands! I get excited watching these kids grow into servant leaders.
Moments by the campfire at Vikings always hold a special place in my heart.
Watch a short review video about Vikings Camp here!