Sundays Are Sweet!
It’s hard to believe we’re already in our final week of June Camp!
Yesterday was Sunday, a more relaxed day at camp where we have extra time to rest, clean, worship, and choose unique Special Signups. To start the day, we slept in an extra hour, and enjoyed Krispy Kreme doughnuts at breakfast. Boys make sure their cabins are tidy every day for cabin inspection, but Sunday cabin inspection is a bigger deal. They have more time to clean because directors are the ones checking the cabins, and they do an “open trunk” check to make sure they’re storing their clothes in a neat way. The other big reason for making sure your cabin is clean? The cleanest cabins get to go first in the ice cream sundae line!
On Sunday mornings, we gather for a church service where we sing, hear a message, and enjoy a skit. We had about a dozen staff leading the songs, playing guitars, drums, and sharing their voices. Rob and his theater campers shared a skit about an elephant trying to make friends with the other animals in the jungle. They showed that no matter what you look like, you can be friends with anyone, and differences can be good. Harrison and Thomas Hudson both read verses, and Kyle shared a story about Moses.
This week’s theme has been about discipline and self-control, which are values that Moses displayed when he followed God’s calling and led his people out of Egypt. Kyle encouraged everyone that, like Moses, we all have individual challenges in front of us. We can choose to serve and endure something greater than ourselves by seeking out support when facing our challenges, and showing discipline by staying committed. He finished by saying that we’re all here at camp for a reason, and encouraged everyone to uncover what they can do in this last week.
Lunch was our traditional Sunday favorite: fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, warm rolls, and green beans. After a hearty meal, we ended on a sweet note with Sunday Sundaes! Boys go through an ice cream buffet line, with toppings like sprinkles, whipped cream, chocolate, caramel, and cherries. It’s a great treat each week! With such a big lunch, an extended rest hour is welcome news for everyone.
In the afternoon on Sundays, counselors offer something different from the typical schedule, and boys can sign up to participate in these unique and fun activities. Some of the signups included:
- Thomas Hudson led a “top of the world” hike
- Joe hosted an ultimate frisbee game
- Connor challenged anyone who thought they could beat him to a Magic the Gathering card game
- Hays, Gilpin, and Cricket let mountain bike rides and jumps up at Moab
- Mitch hosted riflery progressions and working on positions
- Zach invited boys to join him for weightlifting
- Cal led the counselor/camper flag football re-match from last week
- Rob met up with any boys interested in creating theater skits for the upcoming week
- Randy led a poetry writing group on the side porch
- Carson was at the Nature Hut playing “1 minute ultimate werewolf”
- Harrison was chilling above the tennis courts with hammocks
- And the docks were open for swimming!
It was a great afternoon of activities and enjoying each other’s company. Shoutout to Ryland for working hard to finish his last swimming laps right before dinner to achieve the level of Warrior! For dinner, we met at the gym for cookout supper, and enjoyed our weekly picnic together. Cheerwine, a local cherry soda, is a beloved staple for these meals.
To finish the day, we gather as a community for Campfire. Everyone crosses Bain Bridge and becomes silent, thoughtfully entering the space that’s important to so many. We sit on the benches by cabin, and wait for Yates to light the fire with a single candle. Each campfire begins with someone reciting Psalm 133:1, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity.” This campfire’s theme was optimism, which is also the theme for our final week. Our nightly Evening Embers questions will be shaped by the value of optimism as well.
It’s a fitting final week theme for many reasons, but especially because we’re feeling very optimistic about these remaining days we have with our June Campers!