More than Fun- Teen Action Camp: Volume 2

Camp is fun. It’s a fun job to work and a fun place to visit for a week as a camper.

The campers from this week of Teen Action Camp have enjoyed a very fun week. Tuesday and Wednesday were packed full of activities around camp: swimming, sports, and crafts. Every evening, campers split up into teams for field games as the afternoon sun starts to set.

Yesterday was a camper favorite: lake day. We hopped in the yellow school buses and sang the drive away. Campers rode on speed boats to go waterskiing and tubing. Some had experience, but lots walked away with a new skill. Six campers were naturals at tubing and got to do extra tricks under the boat driver’s instruction.

Cabin by cabin, they buckled up life jackets and climbed onto a pontoon boat. They rode in the boat to go cliff jumping. After they got back, they rushed to tell all the other campers how exciting it was. Today, we went tubing down the Nolichucky River and played paintball at camp. Each camper will leave with fun memories and stories to tell their families and friends at home.

As much fun as we have, we do it all with one main goal: to share the love of Jesus. Along with all the fun, campers spend time reading about God’s word, worshipping, and learning from the counselors, staff, and speaker.

This week, Steve Lanier drove up from Jackson, Mississippi with his wife Sherry to spend a week teaching from Joseph’s story in Genesis. He’s taught campers about God’s plans and promises, and how they are a part of it. He’s talked about how God uses broken people and families for his purpose. He’s emphasized the restoration and redemption that God is at work to accomplish.

Joseph’s story shows the power of God’s redeeming love. Not only did that love impact Joseph’s life thousands of years ago, but it changes our lives today. Campers have heard from Steve during our morning and afternoon Gatherings, but they also hear from their counselors throughout the day. During evening cabin talks and one-on-ones with campers, counselors talk to campers about their lives and encourage them through God’s word and personal testimonies of how God is working in them.

When campers pack their bags and say goodbye to their friends, we know we will miss them, but we are happy to know that they are leaving with something even more special than their new camp t-shirt. Along with fun memories, we hope they leave encouraged and more spiritually equipped to seek God and know His love for them. Our goal through our Bible lessons, spiritual conversations, and everyday living is to display the love of Jesus so that they may know Him and His redemption.

Ready for a trail ride

Tubing at the lake

Hard work at the Wood Shop

Cherokee 1 and Greene 1 ready to cliff jump on lake day

Green and blue teams playing kickball during Field Games

Evening Gathering with Steve Lanier

Worship at Evening Gathering

Fun at the lake

Fun at the Wood Shop