RECORD SETTING RETREAT!

This is a look at our ballfield where during Fall Flings, we play our flag football tournament.  If you don't know, Fall Flings are retreats where youth groups come and enjoy camp, we plan it, run it and everything.  This weekend marks a historic point in our retreat attendance.  We are just short of 500 for the weekend!  PTL!  Kind of hoping five more kids sign up just to break 500... So far the retreats have gone really well, this is weekend 4 of 5.  We always have a ton for the kids to do and they really spread out during the day.  The expansion of Oak Hollow (main meeting room) is a huge blessing as it comfortably seats 600, thank you again to all who had a part in that, building and donating towards it!  Also a number of cabins have been remodeled and now have heat which allows us to house more in the colder months.  

So now so many are here, now what?  We we want to make sure of a couple things... We want to make sure they have a great time, do some things they can't do at home normally and make some lasting memories together, break down barriers and be real with each other and their leaders.  We want them to hear about the Gospel every time they come to camp.  Also have some great times of truly authentic worship.  Pictured above is one of our favorite worship bands, Seventh Hour, we love them, kids love them...  Some of the best spiritual impact times are the breakout groups after chapel as a youth group.  We don't get to see these very often as staff but it's a very valuable time for the kids to keep the conversation going.  

You will of course see photos from time to time that look a little crazy or whatever, well that's the jist of why.  Why would we pump 2-3 feet of foam into the gym and play soccer in it?  To give them a shared experience they won't have anywhere else.  Examples could go on and on, but it all points to one thing... helping each person that comes to camp to meet Jesus or grow that much closer to Him.  

I hope as you read these blog posts you don't get tired of hearing that.  If you do, you may be in the wrong spot because that's what we do and why we do it.  Thank you to all who have a part in it.  From donated dollars to work crews, weekend volunteers, youth leaders that go home exhausted after a weekend.  Remember to thank them and hold them and us up in prayer.  May God do work this weekend!