This Spring, we hosted a women’s group for a weekend. These were women who had never been to camp, women who had never experienced the mountains, women who served, women who loved, women who changed my life, women who experienced a weekend like no other. These women were angels sent from God! This is my story…
One weekend at El Camino Pines we had a group of 120 women from Real Life Church. In the past I have experienced their men’s group but never their women’s group. What I knew from this church was that they were servants and very friendly. I completely saw this in their actions and words. Throughout the weekend the ladies constantly smiled when they saw us, greeted us every meal with a, “Hello! How are you?” or “You are so wonderful. Thank you.”
Our staff was aware of the snow that was coming that weekend but we didn’t expect what was to come. Some of the ladies had concerns about the storm but we reassured them. On Saturday the snow started to fall down slowly but it looked thick. Once I saw that I knew that wasn’t the end of it. I woke up the next day, opened my blinds and saw the beginning of a blizzard that I will never forget. At breakfast I had made the announcement, “Good morning ladies. I want to let you know you are getting out today. You are our priority. We are here to serve you. You have no need to worry because we are here for you.” After I said that they all jumped up and cheered. It was beautiful to see! Immediately after breakfast the staff and I began the laborious task of shoveling and getting cars out. I was in charge of getting the ladies organized and assisting them with their luggage. The snow at this point was above my knees. It was outrageous! All of the ladies were asked to stay in the chapel as we were taking care of their cars. I am more of the hospitality type and less the shoveling type, so I stayed with the ladies and helped with luggage. At one point I was helping a group of ladies from Cabin 3 to the parking lot. They had several pieces of luggage and we used a luggage cart to carry all of it. As I was doing this I started to lose my strength and perseverance. I walked in the chapel and was greeted with love, smiles and words of encouragement from the ladies. They asked how they could help, if we needed anything or even if they could make me a sandwich. I was in awe of their willingness to serve. In my mind I was thinking, “No we are here to serve you.” But these ladies wanted to serve and help us. I continued to calm their fears and let them know we were doing our best to get them out. These ladies insisted that they could help. So I took a group of them out and we started to shovel and push cars out. It was beautiful to see them working together, laughing and encouraging one another. Their joyful hearts & spirits were exactly what I needed. I thank God for all of these ladies who inspired me to serve and never give up.
The women of Real Life Church were angels sent from God. Through this difficult time they helped us smile, feel loved and gave us the energy we needed. I thank each and every one of them for their servant hearts and joyful spirits. They changed my life and helped me never forget what it means to be a servant of God. I am blessed to have met them and thankful we got to experience that weekend together.
Have you ever had a time where you needed the help of others to get through a difficult time?
- Anthony
This game is played at camp and is a long time favorite.
The object of the game is to capture the other team’s flag and bring it back to your team’s side without being tagged.
The group will be divided into 2 teams. The 2 sides are divided by a row of orange cones down the center line. The bell will start and end the game. Players cannot cross the center line until the game begins.
Each team must hide their flag somewhere on their side. The flag must be visible from all sides and cannot be more than 5 feet above the ground. A maximum of 2 flag guards are allowed to protect the flag from being captured.
Flag guards must remain 20 feet away from the flag at all times unless a person from the other team crosses into the 20 foot zone. This makes it easier to capture the flag but makes it harder for the other team to find the flag.
Once a player crosses into the other team’s side, anyone from the other team can tag them and send them to jail. Players cannot be tagged on their own side. A tag is made when one hand touches any part of the body, including clothing. Taggers can only tag one person at a time. Taggers cannot push or shove to make the tag. If a player is tagged, the tagger must walk with them to jail.
To free someone from jail, a player must make it to the jail without being caught and tag someone from their team. If the player is successful, both players must walk back to their side before continuing the game. If the player is caught, they will join their teammates in jail. When taking a free walk back, players must raise one arm in the air to indicate they cannot be tagged again.
Jailbreaks may be called during the game. If a jailbreak is called everyone in jail is released and must walk back to their side before continuing the game.
If a player finds the other team’s flag and safely brings it across the center line without being tagged, the round is over and the team is awarded one point. If the player with the flag is tagged, the flag is dropped and the player is immediately taken to jail. The flag cannot be moved back to its original location or re-hidden.
The team that finishes with the most points at the end of the game is the winner.
If an injury occurs during the game, immediately notify an adult or go to the Chapel for first aid.
The boundaries of the game are the normal camp boundaries. Remember, the ravine is located behind cabins 5-10 and is very dangerous. Be very careful and always be aware of your location and surroundings.
Please be honest during the game. The game is not fun unless you are playing by the rules. If you are found to be cheating or are outside of the boundaries, you will sit out for the remainder of the game.
The most important rule of capture the flag is…HAVE FUN!
When Outdoor Sch
ool is not in session and when winter retreats are over, there is a sort of lull that all of the staff come to love and hate. We love the down time. We’re able to catch up on all the things we’ve left in the lurch (our laundry, the state of cleanliness in our houses, etc.). But we also hate it. We’re the kind of people that need to be doing something. It’s how we’re wired. That’s why we work at camp! We love the action, the fast paced feel, and the level of intensity.
That’s why Katey and I made an adventure out of getting the mail. The mailboxes are located in an intersection just before the dirt road that leads to camp, affectionately call the “Y”. We’re often sent down to get the daily mail in a camp vehicle or the golf cart. Katey and I prefer the golf cart. Because when you drive that cart at full speed down the dirt road to the “Y” it’s even better than any roller coaster you can imagine! We scream and yell and laugh and smile. It’s the BEST ride of your life.
One day after a slow, mundane day in the office, Katey and I hopped in the golf cart to get the mail. We love every second of the adrenaline rush. And just when we think we can’t go any faster, the golf cart slowly putters, putters, and then stops in the dirt. Katey and I look at each other, and both know what just happened: we ran out of juice. The golf cart, she’s dead.
We walk to get the mail, and then try to push the 500-pound golf cart up the dirt road. Didn’t work out. We tried to restart it, nothing. We were stuck on the side of the road with a few magazines and bills. We needed some help. We had to call in reinforcements.
“You call them,” I say to Katey.
“I don’t want to call them! They’re gonna be mad!” she says back. Work was over for the day, and just another “camp happens” moment was the last thing we thought any of the other staff would want to deal with. But Katey called Erin. And David and Erin came to our rescue.
They came in the CRV with nothing but a rope and lots of worries. But Katey, the resident Rock Wall belier, took the rope and tied together such a knot from the CRV to the golf cart, that it made me think this wasn’t such a crazy idea. We double backed the rope and tied it again. Katey and I got in the golf cart, David and Erin in the CRV, and we all laughed and prayed.
Slowly, surely, and all of us cracking up like little kids, we pulled the golf cart back to camp. Every bump, every turn, every rock was a small adventure. And it was so much better than the ride down. Together we took a problem and turned it into one of my favorite moments at camp. Camp happens, and we laugh the whole time.
- Brigette
MJ and Brigette
Whenever I walk past the shop here at El Camino Pines, a little orange friend pops out of nowhere and greets me. She tries to act like it’s no big thing, but I know that she’s excited to see me. I give her a hard time for being needy, she’ll pretend like she doesn’t see me, so on and so forth. This friend, who pretends like I’m invisible when everyone is around, is MJ. She is the camp cat.
MJ is elusive. She lives in the woods, so her social skills are a little lacking. She is more likely to meow at you and then turn on her heels and walk away than actually stick around for a few pets and a couple nice words. She has to be tough. She walks alongside bears, foxes, coyotes, and any other number of things that want to eat her. And I respect that about her. She’s also a complete diva. When we the staff are working hard we all know that if we walk past the open door of the shop, MJ will be lying in her bed under her heat lamp on the work table (that should be used for work but is instead a complete shrine to the little marmalade cat), and give us a look that says:
“Oh, you’re working? Isn’t that sweet…”
Most people would come to resent that. But I find it kind of endearing. I also really, really like cats. They make me laugh. So I’ve put in the time, I’ve put in the effort, and I’ve fed maybe a little too much, but I’d say MJ and I are pretty tight.
There have been many nights after dinner when camp is calm and the stars are out, that I’ve stopped into the shop to say hello to MJ. I talk to her about life, love, work, and my emotional health. She’s a good listener. I read or heard once that people who have a pet usually live longer, are more social, and are sick less. MJ isn’t really my pet, but I do know that she appreciates the little extra time we spend together. I know I do. I do understand that an orange, wild cat can’t solve all my problems. I know she can’t talk back. But I like to think that she understands why I’m there, and maybe she is telling me about her life too. What do you think?
- Brigette
Looking for a quick dinner that the kids will love? Cheeseburger pizza is it!
Put ketchup and mustard to a pizza crust
Put jack and cheddar cheese on top
Add cooked ground hamburger meat or taco meat
Add diced dill pickles, onions and tomatoes
Bake at 350 for 15 minutes.
Every day I am given the opportunity to change a life and have someone change my life! That is rare but that is what camp does. I realize everyday why I do what I do. I do it for the kids. Obviously I don’t work at camp for the money. Ha! But I do it because the kids are Joy Givers!
There are days when camp is just exhausting and I have no idea how I am going to survive. I have days that are fully packed with teaching classes, doing office work, singing songs, doing a huge load of dishes, cleaning cabins, digging holes, trying to organize the Outdoor School room (which is impossible by the way.) and a child reminds me why I am here. With their smiles, laughter, their thank yous, their hugs, their servant hearts, and telling me that I am their best friend! It warms my heart so much. I thank God for using these kids to give me JOY when I need it. I have hard days but the kids can make it into the BEST DAY EVER!
I am truly convinced and believe with all of my heart that God has created kids to be Joy Givers! I am thankful that I get to experience the Joy of the Lord everyday at camp. So again I can say, I AM BLESSED! Working at camp has been the best decision of my life and I know that I am loved here.
- Anthony
Anthony has been on the LRCC Year Round Staff and this summer is the Day Camp Director for Summer Camp again.
I sure like that mom of mine!
Glad we could be of service...where do you like to hike?
Welcome Marcus from your friends at Living Faith Lutheran Church in Santa Clarita! We can't wait to
I enjoy exactly what has to do with hiking and also whenever Someone said anything about outdoor cam
Noithng I could say would give you undue credit for this story.
Pass the word onto your group so they can see the "happy snaps" too! =) Looking forward to having yo
Just thought I'd look up winter retreat dates for the 2012 year and saw the photos for the first tim
That Brigette sure can write. And she sure is dramatic too. And now that she's been a Camp Instructo
