3.10 The best way to kill an audience is to stop delivering content... oops

As promised here's a more substantial update! When last we saw our hero the tail end of VBS was in sight. He was optimistic about the upcoming archery event and was filled with idle daydreams where tiny robin hood esqe children fired bows with extreme accuracy and glee. Sadly this was not the reality that greeted him. The day dawned bright as the two before, slightly warm but not uncomfortably so. But this day (wednesday) was not like his two older brothers, for wednesday possessed the gift of a cool northwesterly wind. And Wednesday did so enjoy using his gift upon the unprepared children who were chilly and in danger of being miserable at the archery range. But never fear! Our hero leapt to the challenge and through a combination of charisma and raw brute strength succeeded in entertaining the children by giving them rides on his back and racing them across the open field to keep them warm and happy.

Thursday was a day of training... training, and more training. and that afternoon we conducted our annual rite of passage to walk out to the cross and sign our names. (one of my favorite "new" traditions) And that was the easy part... from there we hiked (blindfolded) in partners for what seemed like quite a while, played 4-team tug-of-war and then hiked for another few miles to our eventual campsite for the night. As always the "adventure" of assembling our tents was a challenge and after adding some para-cord to one of the tents it was in good shape. The other tent sadly was missing a few of its posts so we made it into an impromptu A-frame by re-purposing four of the pole sections into large stakes and tying off the corners with another length of para cord. (I was really glad I remembered to bring a bundle of that stuff).

Many hot dogs were consumed, and in the morning even more bacon. Probably the best breakfast I've ever had at camp this year (if not ever) was eaten and thankfully we only had to hike to the top of a nearby hill to catch a ride back to camp.

Today we cleaned... and cleaned, and cleaned, and generally put the finishing touches on the camp in preparation for our big open-house tomorrow. The place looks great and it'll be fun to share it with everyone. We even hung the banners in the main hall straight! Which involved me scampering up a 20 foot ladder to hammer them into place... it was a terrifying process but they do look good (if I do say so myself).

And on that note... I need to make my sleeping quarters presentable to the public tomorrow, and perhaps help with a lil kitchen prep. So I should hit the hay.

Thanks to everyone that texted, emailed, and commented over the last few days wondering what was going on and extending prayers and encouragement. It was greatly appreciated and made a few days of growth into something good.

-Nick

3.10 another stealthy short one

We're camping out tonight and it's unlikely I'll have cell service to update. Full update tomorrow my friends.

3.9 the post is a lie

This post is here. But it's not anything of substance. Sleep now.

3.8 VBS n other sundry things!

The last two days (and tomorrow) we're pulling half-day schedules. Half of the day we're training in prep for our summer-long jobs, and half of the day we're helping with VBS!

I am on the "target activity" crew. Which means we did BB guns yesterday, tomahawks today, and will do archery tomorrow! It has been quite fun to see the tiny people get into the activities and just generally be excited about almost anything we act excited about. 

And after a few hours out on the tomahawk range I also managed to add a new layer of sunburn despite applying sunscreen semi-regularly. unfortunately it wasn't regularly enough I suppose... but I'm starting to get a little bit of a tan on my legs (which is new and exciting) and whatnot. 

Umm... I'm pretty tired and spent most of my productive hours this evening doing director-ly things to try and prepare for my week which is rapidly approaching (the 22nd is so soon...) I've got good leads on a few counselors, so it might actually come together but... we'll see. 

I'm gonna go to bed. Sleep is a valuable commodity and the caffeine/dew detox is getting a bit rough at times. I imagine it'll be worth it though once it finally gets out of my system. I did also get my 3 nalgenes of water knocked out today, it's getting easier and easier. 

3.7 A safe haven indeed.

As you are hopefully aware, the name of the camp where I'm working is Haven on the Rock. A name that was chosen a few years ago as two mighty legacies merged into camp as we know it today. When that name was chosen it resonated with many of us on the board as something that we all recognized or remembered camp being. A safe place, a shelter, a haven.

We have always intended our camp to be a safe place for kids and staff to come together and learn more about Jesus and how He intends this ministry to develop. And it should come as no surprise that once we did so that God ordained broken, hurting, people to be drawn here. I was one of those people even before the name happened and I know I wouldn't be the man I am today without this place. And the healing that can happen in a place like this is nothing short of incredible.

So... Please remember the crew that works incredibly hard to make camp the best it can possibly be. We are committed to making this a safe haven for every child that comes out. And many of us need it too. Pray for an abundance of grace and peace as we move forward into the main stretch of camp and that we're overwhelmed with His presence and love.

And at the risk of leaving it super abstract... I will. Goodnight!
-Nick

3.6 A bit of vulnerability

For those who have been reading this chronicle for a while know that I started this exercise in mental processing as a means of self-expression, as a record of incredibly powerful seasons in my life, and as a way for you my readers to keep me in your thoughts and prayers through the ups and downs of a summer of camp. It is in these traditions that I write tonight.

I could tell you that the day consisted of church, and lunch, and finishing the latest Dresden files book (yep the one I started a short time ago, I read fast and I put the afternoon into it) or how we burned off a pile of things and how that fire will still be going strong by the time I write this. But that is not my purpose tonight...

Instead I'm going to try to articulate something that I need your prayers about. First let me begin by saying that I think we've got a great team for the summer, even though we're not quite meshing as readily as last year. This could be partly due to the good problem of having a lot of returning staff this year and the perception that we all "know" each other well. The only issue between those old relationships is a year of growth which throws off the dynamics in subtle but very real ways.

Within that I'm feeling a bit uncertain this year. For those of you that are not aware I'm not working with the horses this year, Instead I'll be out on the rappelling wall with my good friend Hunter. It's a minor skill-set of mine, and I'm looking forward to learning more and getting more proficient in it. But that won't start until the tail end of the week at best guess. Until then I'm attempting to find parts of camp I can claim for my own and improve to the best of my ability... but that's hard to find, and in my seeking my own place I have stepped on the toes of those around me on several occasions.

Anyway... This is probably a fairly confusing post. or maybe not... but it's an honest one.

Tomorrow (looks at clock. I mean today) begins at 7:30 and I should probably try to get some sleep. I desperately need your texts/emails/comments or letters my friends. This is going to be a growing summer... and the fall should be even more so.

-Nick