the green spot blog

I know what you're thinking - Pond Hockey already? Summer is over, kids are back in school and you may even just be still unpacking your trailer from all of your summer adventures (or packing it up to come to Camp Evergreen for their Family Camp this weekend) . And here we are...talking about Pond Hockey already. I personally would love to avoid talking about winter for as long as possible but Pond Hockey is completely different. Pond Hockey is the most fun way to spend a wintery day (and yes...that truly did rhyme). We're working hard at putting together some fantastic Silent Auction and Door Prizes...we're keeping the organ tuned and warming up the Quad-bonie (okay, I'm just kidding on the last one). Registration is open for all teams today - so if you're interested, don't wait long to contact me. Two teams have already registered. Don't forget that there's a Children's Skills Competition in the afternoon! Here are the details for t...

Haven't you ever felt like that? Like you needed to take a moment and just breathe? That's what this last week has been for us - a big ol' deep breath after Impact. We've been so busy taking that deep breath that we weren't able to get the blog update about Impact up. Have no fear! We're back and will be posting on a (nearly) weekly basis. Impact was a great week. It's such a fun way to end the summer for our staff - also - I don't know how our staff would survive another week after the crazy night programming each day. We had two night games, a drive in movie night, a worship night and then topped it all off with our annual skit night, Homemade Jam. The week was full of shinanigans (in the best way possible) and it was a great group of kids which just makes the week for staff and camper alike. The weather behaved for about half the week...we got BEAUTIFUL weather for our creek party and field BBQ day and then it got rainy...and then it got really...

  This is the part where you would answer..."Wha'sup Jogee"! Wowzers! Was it hot this last week or what?!? The sun was out in an extreme way this week as temperatures on Wednesday and Thursday hit 30+. We're pretty thankful on those days to have the creek and lots of trees to keep us cool.  Our Ignite camp this week wsday night we talked about how our God isn't a little man-made idol but how God (big G - remember?) is the all-powerful invisible God who created the world, who sent His son to die on the cross for our sins and conquered deathas full of energy, tackling each game with enthusiasm and glee. I also have to say that the competition this week between the Caravans and for Cleanest Cabin was off the charts. Our Interns also celebrated their last week of their programs. Six weeks they've been here learning how to be Camp Evergreen Staff. Working as Cabin Leaders, Barn Staff, A/V Staff, or A Team - they have grown and been stretched throughout...

Sparks is one of the favourite weeks here. So many little people running around and having the time of their life. For me it's special because a couple years ago I knew a little boy that was the same age as our Sparks who kept asking his parents about this man Jesus that he was learning about and God, the Father who created the Earth. His parents, wanting to engage in conversation with their 5 year son decided each to take an Alpha Course to learn more themselves. Less than a year later - both parents became Christians and were baptized. I love the honesty and curiosity of the Sparks. How they say what they think and have such a keen mind for remembering. They love to adventure and play games. THAT'S what makes Sparks Week so cool. Our Speaker for the week was Brooke from Red Deer. She told exciting stories about Joshua, Gideon, Jonah, and finally Jesus who came to save us. Check out some of the shinanigans from the week:   We're about to start...

It has been a great week here. Sure - it started off rainy and wet but that only created a springboard of muddy Willsonball fun and beautiful weather to follow. It didn't matter if you visited our Trails Away site, the teepees with our Roughin' It Boys, or on-site with our Explorer kids - CAMP ROCKED THIS WEEK! Our Interns are getting ready for their second full immersion week in their chosen area of focus which happens next week. Interns choose one of Cabin Leader, Barn, Kitchen, A/V or A-Team to train in. They will fill one of those roles next week during Sparks! And of course - we can't forget our Pit Crew 2 kids who are wrapping up their last week at camp. They have been working hard and playing hard. I've even heard rumours of a late night Sundae Party last night. Our speaker, Kathryn talked about Rack, Shack, and Benny this week. Emphasizing that God is with us wherever we go, that we can talk to God and He will always answer us (even if not exactly the an...

A break from our regular posting - we wanted to share one of our staff member's story with you.    Picture this, you are standing in the centre of a clock facing the direction of twelve O'clock, six O'clock is directly behind you. You are now unable to move in any direction and are left with using your peripheral vision to see around you, making your line of sight limited.  Your six o'clock or back, is completely vulnerable. Now place yourself in the middle of a battle field, are you worried yet? Don't be, because you have a partner who is "covering you six". That partner can see what you can't and is focused on your welfare. "He is covering my six" has been a motto of mine for a number of years. God has demonstrated many times how He is always covering my back, and these past few months have been no different. Let me give you a glimpse of what I mean.     At the end of April I made a big move from Okotoks to Vancouver in order to attend ...

We're approaching the end of our second week of camp here and it's been a good one! Yes, it rained a bit but the sun was also out for a large part of the week.  As we close out today - the wind is blowing and the rain keeps falling (we're pretty okay with that so that the firefighters get a bit of help and we can keep having campfires in the evenings). Our Igniters were tough this week - playing when it was hot and playing when it poured rain. Right from the beginning - we knew it was going to be an exciting week. The Ignite campers sang loud in chapel and ran hard in games. As you saw on our Facebook Page - Wednesday's weather was perfect for the Party at the Creek and Field BBQ...followed by one of our favourite games, B3C. I have to say though, our Roughin' It Campers are the toughest. While all campers this week had to play through the rain at points - the Ignite Campers get to get inside heated, lit cabins at night. Those Roughin' Campers tough i...