2002 Week # 2

My First Senior Week?:

Week two of camp saw better temperatures and many blessings from God.

Sunday, was just as crazy as week one I am sure. People moving in dropping off all the stuff that was needed for the week ahead and saying goodbye to mom and dad. Things started settling down at dinner time (you know, your supposed to bring dinner with you--I didn't know--but the tuna fish sandwich was pretty good!) As the lifeguard, Sunday is pretty easy, since we don't swim on Sunday's I get to just walk around and watch everything; it's a pretty cushy job (And if you are interested contact Sue Meserve--lifeguards are always wanted!) Anyway things seemed to go as planned or close to it to the average observer.

Monday, 8:00 AM we have lots of comments on how it is not as hot as last week. We also have lots of comments at how early 7:00 AM comes but that is to be expected. Breakfast ends, clean-up begins and soon it will be time for quiet time. If you have never been to camp and seen 88 or more campers finding a small section of holy ground and settling into their Bibles or prayer time then you have really missed out. I walked around a little and watched. I so wanted to disturb them, to find out what they were reading, what they were journaling about-that one is underlining something in her Bible and this one is highlighting something in his Bible. What are they marking? What notes to themselves are they making? What is God saying to their hearts? I want to ask--but I don't want to interrupt so I will let them have their time and I will thank my God for touching and reaching the lives of some teens and creating within them a passion for Him. 

Quiet time passes, so does Bible class and activity time. It is now time to go back to the green benches, sing some silly songs, get some mail and find out how the cabin did cleaning up. You know if you were visiting during this time you might be deeply disturbed by the songs we sing- every animal dies, many cruel horrible deaths and the remains are eaten-- this is what we joyfully with smiles, laughs and shouts sing about. The poor little green frog, squished by a truck and licked up by a dog, that poor bumblebee that I will soon squish and lick off my hands. Of course there is that cute little bunny rabbit that I will save from the hunter only to place in my frying pan. Then there is the reindeer, the buffalo and the lobster-- they all die too! This can't be good?!?!? I am sure a psychologist would have a field day analyzing these tendencies and songs. Oh well, I just got called to lunch and you know, the songs are funny....

Rest period follows soon after lunch a special time for counselors to sleep and during senior weeks this time is also used for sleep by many campers. Nap time-so hated as a child and so loved by teens and adults . . . I will never understand. (If I had gone to sleep so many years ago when my mother told me to instead of faking--would I be as tired as I am today?)

Swimming time is here and as the lifeguard I actually have to work now. No running, no diving except between the tens, no your feet have to be facing front when you leave the pool wall, and oh yeah--no drowning! Lot's of fun! Not everyone swims as much this week, since it is not as hot it is an excellent time to visit, read, sleep and even finish the shower you started earlier that morning. It is camp after all!

More activities and then it is time to meet back at the green benches. No silly dead animal songs though-- those are only for lunch! More mail and time for dinner. Believe it or not camp food at TRCC is excellent-- and if you make nice with the cooks you can even get a little extra (but don't tell anyone!) 

The week is filled with activity, songs and times of study. Camp is a wonderfully important and memorable time in most Christian teen lives. The relationships, the friends, the study, the time away it is all part of what makes camp so special. This 2nd week of camp we have had 5 baptisms, heaven is sure to be rejoicing--and so are we! This is what all this is for!

It was great fun and it was sad to see the senior weeks end but there will be next year unless He returns- either way I can't wait!

-Glenn Tunick