A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Camp – 20c – CAMP MUSIC AND STAFF MELODRAMAS

The Lead Counselors with their Coordinators would create some kind of melodrama that they would play out throughout the week.   It included a villain and a hero and ended with some kind of positive result by the end of the week.  For instance, in Sherwood they would have an “evil Sheriff “ trying to get rid of Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest.   He would play all kinds of tricks on Robin and then by the end of the week, the Sheriff would have a change of heart and turn into a good guy.   The campers would cheer and embrace the sheriff.   One year one of our staff drove the camp’s tractor into the town meeting threatening to mow down the forest.   Pretty dramatic to say the least.   That only happened once.

            At one of the campfire times in Railroad Camp for Junior Highers, the staff was play acting their melodrama.   This particular night the good guy and bad guy were having a “fencing duel.”  Some how they got their hands on two authentic fencing blades.   In the act of fencing one of the swords came loose and flew out from the handle.   Could have been scarry.  These were the kinds of stories the staff would prefer I did not hear about.  

Campfire Music:  A significant activity at camp is the singing.   Campers loved to sing at the top of their voices.  They would love to stand up in front and help with the singing.  Our song leaders worked together to plan the singing times.  Song leaders were very enthusiastic and created all kinds of hand motions during many of the songs.  They began the evening with fun type camp songs and lead into the devotional songs in preparation for the camp speakers.  Music set the tone of the morning and evening gatherings.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Camp – 20c – CAMP MUSIC AND STAFF MELODRAMAS

The Lead Counselors with their Coordinators would create some kind of melodrama that they would play out throughout the week.   It included a villain and a hero and ended with some kind of positive result by the end of the week.  For instance, in Sherwood they would have an “evil Sheriff “ trying to get rid of Robin Hood and Sherwood Forest.   He would play all kinds of tricks on Robin and then by the end of the week, the Sheriff would have a change of heart and turn into a good guy.   The campers would cheer and embrace the sheriff.   One year one of our staff drove the camp’s tractor into the town meeting threatening to mow down the forest.   Pretty dramatic to say the least.   That only happened once.

            At one of the campfire times in Railroad Camp for Junior Highers, the staff was play acting their melodrama.   This particular night the good guy and bad guys were having a “fencing duel.”  Some how they got their hands on two authentic fencing blades.   In the act of fencing one of the swords came loose and flew out from the handle.   Could have been scarry.  These were the kinds of stories the staff would prefer I did not hear about.  

Campfire Music:  A significant activity at camp is the singing.   Campers loved to sing at the top of their voices.  They would love to stand up in front and help with the singing.  Our song leaders worked together to plan the singing times.  Song leaders were very enthusiastic and created all kinds of hand motions during many of the songs.  They began the evening with fun type camp songs and lead into the devotional songs in preparation for the camp speakers.  Music set the tone of the morning and evening gatherings.

Choosing to Make Life Work – 19L – GROWING IN FAITH

            God loves us so much that Jesus gave his life for you and me.  Growing up in the faith is a long process.  It is a day to day commitment to learn to be more like Jesus each moment.    Every Friday as campers and counselors were preparing to go home from their week’s experience, they often shared that they loved it at camp.  They were learning to be content in their faith.  Some even made faith commitments.  They had a “mountain top experience” and were reluctant to go “back to the valley.” 

            We would remind them that they did three things everyday at camp.   They read and studied the scriptures every day.  They prayed on their own and with others everyday.  They had fellowship with other Christians every day.

We encouraged them to do the same when they went back home.    

When we think our growth is slow we become discouraged.   Don’t give up when you are not everything you think you want to be.  When you look back you will recognize the different ways you have grown.  It’s like our physical growth.  Slow and steady with bumps in the road.  Sometimes our health slows us down and we feel weak and unable to do all we want to do.  We need to be committed to doing our exercises.  As we take one step at a time, we begin to feel better and continue on the road to recovery. 

            God knows our strengths and weaknesses.  God will enable us to live a whole new life that we never knew existed before.   God ‘s work was accomplished through the years as individuals stepped out in faith and believed God.  They were not perfect people.  All it takes is one person.  Noah building the Ark.  Abraham and Sarah going to Canaan.  Joseph saving Egypt.  Lydia taking in strangers.   We could go on and on.  We need to do our part.  We need to do our spiritual exercises.  Trust that God is doing a good thing with you as you are faithful to your commitment to God.  Recognize what God is doing through you each day and express your gratitude!

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Camp -- 19c – BEHAVIOR MIRRORED

A memory I have is of one of the older volunteers who lived on the grounds and helped where needed.   I told this story at every staff Orientation through the years.    I would walk back and forth from the dining room to my apartment and other places on the grounds.    Every time he saw me he would gently come up to me and rub his finger on my forehead and said something like, “do you know your frowning?  A smile on that face would look better.”   He would do this each time he saw me.   I would get so angry, I would walk the other way if I saw him coming towards me.  

            One day, when I saw him, I thought, “You know, Noreen, he is your friend.   Do you really want to look like you are stressed out and unhappy?   The Lord has given you a friend who is serving as a mirror for you.”  It was a God thing!   That thought was like a light out of the darkness.   From then on I was happy to see him because he reminded me not to frown but to have a pleasant countenance. 

            I often used that illustration in seminars and talks.   It was an effective story out of real life to learn how to be grateful for those around us who are mirrors of who we are.    Gives us the opportunity to choose how we want to project ourselves to others.   

Choosing to make Life Work -- 18L – ENJOY MATURING

            After my last week’s experience the thought occurred to me that we talk about the Apostle Paul’s encouragement to being content in whatever circumstance we are in as part of maturing as a person.   The process of maturing does not mean we are always successful it means the actions of our values become natural part of who we are in the way we live with one another.    We experience a quiet center as we seek contentment.  We experience inspiration in the things we do.   We can recognize our successes and through that admit our humility.   I heard once that humility is not denying power you have but knowing that power is through you, not from you.   Remember the new phrase I created – humbly proud. 

            In the midst of trouble when we feel like screaming, we remember that the Spirit of God is with us and we can take a deep breath and say “thank you Jesus for being with me.”   We begin to feel grateful that we are not alone and begin to take the next steps one at a time --  towards maturity.    The task is the reward.   Be satisfied—content--with God’s creation—you!