The end of Camp 2!

I know it's a little late, but I figured everyone wanted to see these awesome pictures from camp 2 anyways! So here's what happened Thursday and Friday of Camp 2!

Morning chapel was spent talking about the ways that God is illuminated in other people- both in their gifts and the ways that we amplify those gifts in each other.We finished our time by washing each other's feet and serving each other in the manner that Christ said is the full extent of his love.

In the afternoon we continued this attitude as we went to St. Mary's to serve our community by helping them in their garden as well as tending to the lavender fields. We weeded, gardened and then gathered the lavender that was taken to Thistle Farms in Nashville to be used in their products!

Thursday evening was spent in the ever-so-famous CGM Coffee House (no real coffee was served in the making of this production.) All of our youth were able to share their talents with us with everything from drama to singing, piano and more!

Friday morning we woke up and after the daily breakfast and cleaning time, we went to chapel to talk about the light that shines in each of us. Often times it can be hard to see that light in each of us and it was also fun to have our friends help point out that light. We played a very fun game called "Holy One" where each camper has a candle and the counselors (mean ole things!) are trying to blow them out. Don't worry, we played outside as to not risk any buildings! 

Finally the afternoon brought a fan favorite- going to the Res at St. Andrews Sewanee! We can jump from the rock- literally taking a big leap of faith- hang out on the dock, swim around and have tons of fun!

 
Of course at night we had our closing Eucharist, banquet, dance and bonfire. Thank you Father Terry for celebrating a beautiful service!

Thank you to our Camp 2 families and youth for letting us have these amazing youth for a week! We had so much fun with them and they are all so full of light! It was a joy to watch them shine!

Camp 3 is here so we shall be posting about them soon!

Is Camp 1 already over?

How are we already through Pre-Camp and Camp 1? The month is going by too fast!

The back half of camp 1 was full of fun and a whole lot of laughing. On Thursday we started with chapel- which included skits and washing each others feet to learn a little more about how to illuminate Christ in each other. It was so great to watch our youth be the light of Christ to each other!

Later that day we went to St. Mary's in Sewanee to be the light of Christ to others by serving our community. We helped them with their garden and a few other jobs around the convent such as separating the good and bad grapes to help them in the process of making their grape jelly- which we've heard is delicious!

Finally we finished with Coffee House & Skit Night. It is always so fun to see our youth show us their gifts and talents!

Friday is always bittersweet- it is so fun to spend that day together but it's always sad to know it's the last one. Chapel was spent learning how to take the light we found on the mountain with us past camp. We played a game called "Holy Man" where the campers are trying to keep their candles lit while the counselors try to blow them out. It's really fun but also a good reminder that shortly others will be trying to blow out that light so it's important to keep it illuminated! 

The afternoon brought everyone's favorite place- The Res! Thank you to St. Andrew's for letting us use your beautiful space! Everyone had fun swimming around and hanging out on the dock.

Of course we closed with our banquet, Closing Eucharist and the camp dance! I know most of you are hoping to see pictures of the youth but I just had to throw in this one of the staff- it was too good not to share!

Camp 1, we  loved having you here! You have all illuminated us and we are so glad that you spent a week with us! 

Camp 2 has arrived, will be posting about them soon!

Camp 2: Wednesday!

Wednesday was one for the books, it was a constant round of fun!

In the morning we started with chapel- where we had a lot of fun. First David Ramsey, the Executive Director of DuBose, came to talk to us about clean water in third world countries, specifically Haiti. It was eye-opening to see how other people can't turn on a faucet for clean water like we can. Then we went and played a game where your family group had to get water from a "well" (kiddie pool) and carry it to a bucket on top of your head. It was so much fun, but then we learned it had a purpose. As Andrew explained to us, it takes a lot of water for all of us to function and if all we had was the water we carried with us during that game we would all be in a world of hurt. All in all, chapel was so interesting as we learned about water in places around the world!

When we got back from family group time, we performed some hilarious skits about living water- because we learned that it is the only kind that quenches thirst. We also played some hilarious games such as Ships and Sailors and Zebratonicus! Ask your youth to teach them to you!

After a much needed siesta, we started our Sewanee adventure day. The campers got to choose between going to the Res (a giant reservoir we get to swim in) or going to the Memorial Cross, the Quad and the Sewanee bookstore. Both were a blast and no one was ready for them to end! Sadly they had to (for the sake of showers for all) but we got to go back to Sewanee last night!

The day ended with a service at All Saint's and a bonfire (of course there were s'mores!). We had a great day at CGM and today should be fun as we learn to "fill our buckets"!