Week 1 : Trail Blazers 1

It all began this week. Summer 2016 sky rocketed into action with five camps all starting. If you've visited our website in recent weeks you would have seen a large list of camps with the word FULL beside them all. Nearly all of the camps that started this week were soundly in that boat.

Not only did the summer start with a bang but so did the weather. Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday all saw their fair share of thunderstorms but the kids stayed dry and continued to have fun.

With the start of a new summer comes many new games and, of course, the traditional standard favourites like Jug 'n' Jog. Our Olympic Theme this summer is quite timely and has got the kids super pumped about every "event" they participate in throughout the day.

Water Triathlon!

In fact, just last night the kids participated in a very unique Water Triathlon - Armpit/knee relay, Shaving Cyclist Xtreme (you're going to have to ask your kids about this one), and the shot put (involving leaders getting pelted with water balloons). Doesn't that just make you want to come to camp?

Medals will be awarded later today for the top medalling teams and cleanest cabins.

That's just the half of it though - our speaker, Brennan Dyck from Dalhousie Church in Calgary, shared some pretty amazing stories from his own life and scripture with us this week. The campers did seem to be able to get enough of his stories!

This summer - our speakers are speaking from John 15:5: I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

As always, my favourite part of each week is the Testimony Sticks that we do with the campers on Thursday evening. Here are some of the things that you would have heard had you been there:

• "Even in the hard times, God is with us even though he feels far away."
• "I learned that we should trust one another and don't judge people by the way a person acts."
• "I've learned to talk to God."

As you can imagine - our staff had a super fun time hanging out with the kids all week long. We're busy getting ready for the next bunch who arrive on Sunday. Pray for us as we head into our 2nd of 8 weeks of summer.

If you're looking for the songs we sang this week, here's the list:

• You are Good - Bethel Music
• One Thing Remains - Jesus Culture
• Like a Lion - David Crowder Band
• Deep Cries Out - Bethel Music
• Furious - Jeremy Riddle
• You Love Never Fails - Chris Quilala
• Relentless - Hillsong United
• Happy Day - Tim Hughes
• God is Good - Dustin Kensrue
• This is Amazing Grace - Phil Wickham
• Mighty to Save  - Hillsong United
• Forevermore - Chris Quilala
• Joy! - Worship Central Australia

See you next week!
Jogee