Camp Videos

Laura has some videos of Logging Camp and Jr. High Camp on her blog.

Check ‘em out!

closing season

I was ready for the change of pace going in, and now I am ready for the change of pace (and change of weather!) as the summer comes to a close. Our last summer staffer heads home today, and Lamar will begin his last semester of community college next week. Since PCCCI’s summer bookings don’t let up until the first weekend in September, I’ll be stuck in the hot kitchen for a few more weeks before having a chance to breathe and gear up for my last three quarters of undergrad work. In that time, between drinking tea, knitting, reading, and sleeping way too much, I’m hoping to post a little about the two wonderful weeks of “programmed camp” we had over the summer (i.e. in house camps, not guest groups).

The summer has been pretty rough and I’ve fallen prey to deep discouragement more times than I can count, but I am looking forward to a regrouping period when we can begin to think and pray about what we did right, what we did wrong, and how we need to approach the entire event next summer. First order of business: Official Staff Shirts.

Long days

Well, after beginning work at 5:00 AM, finishing at 3:00 PM, suffering through a cheesy pilates video, some balance ball work, and a five mile walk with Michelle yesterday… my back is telling me I overdid it just a little. Ok, a lot.

One of the great things about being married is that you can take two people who generally suck at taking care of themselves, put them together and, though they’ll still suck at taking care of themselves, they can take care of each other. At least that’s the way it works around here.

Our first week of program camp is underway and things around here are jumping. We have about fifty kids and councelors and some really enthusiastic program staffers (two of which are my siblings). Even though I’m still mostly confined to the kitchen, working with “our own” camps has a completely different vibe to it than guest groups. I like the energy and I like being able to interact with the kids. I also like being able to retreat back to my own little space when I’ve had my fill.

Summer Vacation

Lamar and I took our summer staff on a three day “vacation” to the PCCCI camp in the Santa Barbara area earlier this week. We hung out on the beach, ate some great BBQ, and shot each other with paintballs. The more time I spent with these guys the more I love them and dread the coming days when they’ll start to head back to their homes and schools.

Brothers and buddies.

Josh plays in the sand.

Nosy Pelican that chased Josh around.

Our Team: Jonah Trevino, Michelle Trevino, Dave Davis, Joy Kerr-Owens, Breeann Wright, Ryan Owens, Lamar Kerr-Owens, Josh Harrison, Mikey Chambers.

Preparing for Very Studious Bible Studies…

Well, I’ve been trying to read a “Christian book” for a long time now. I’ve got a few of them, you know, the sort that are supposed to appeal to people like me who ask a lot of questions and experience bouts of skepticism about mainline Christianity, et al. But you know, I haven’t made it through a single one in the last few years, regardless of my resolve to keep turning the pages. I think there is some sort of wall inside me, some bad muscle memory that just turns me off the second I see the words Zondervan or Youth Specialties on the spine. I know I’ll get over it eventually.

It may be possible, however, that I’ve finally met my match. Our summer staff will be reading Donald Miller’s Searching for God Knows What, a book we picked for discussion after a hearty recommendation by Pastor Craig (VERY IMPORTANT EDIT: Pastor Craig could never have made this hearty recommendation without the robust advocation of Pastor Cory, our favourite father-to-be). This afternoon I snagged it from one of the guys and took a quick jaunt through the first chapter. It seems like a pretty cool book so far (which is good, since I’ve ordered eight copies). I’m looking forward to reading this, and more importantly, I’m looking forward to the discussion during our Very Studious Bible Studies. With discussion questions like: “Is Miller demeaning the role of traditions, rituals, and disciplines in his critique of faith formulas? What do you think about these practices?”, how can we go wrong?! Just kidding, guys… but seriously.