The Program Staff arrived on Tuesday! I can hardly believe it - we've had 3 straight days of gorgeous blue sunny skies and heat! As I got up this morning for an early AM walk - I was greeted with the misty fog that us Carnationites enjoy so much...and signals the promise of a warm day!
"So...just what do you DO during Program Staff training?" a first year Program staff member asked early in the week.
Well...last night we enjoyed dinner at Claimjumpers Restaraunt. Later on in the evening, we played games until way too late...
Is it all just fun and games?
Definitely!
Each week, each day, each minute of camp is planned with fun and games in mind! Is it all just so that kids and staff can have a good time?
Definitely not!
Each event is prayerfully considered and evaluated to make sure that it matches with our goal of helping campers to understand who Jesus is and how He impacts their life personally.
For some campers it is the realization for the FIRST time that there is a God who loves them, died for their sins and wants to save them from eternity without Him! For other campers, it is the acknowledgement that they have strayed from God's Word in their daily life and a recommitment to come back to what they know is true and right. And for still other campers it is a refreshment and encouragement to continue on in the straight and narrow path of following Christ as they encourage their fellow cabinmates and their counselors and any other staff members that they encounter.
This is what we do at Program Staff Training.
Kimberly Mallory
Program Director
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Monday, June 21, 2010
Another Summer Dawns...
Welcome back to the Victory Circle! It's been a little damp around here BUT...
IT IS SUMMER.
Here in the NW we haven't "really" experienced what we'd like to CALL summer...BUT - the Program Staff will arrive tomorrow morning at 10:00 AM and around here - we call that summer time!
We are super excited about what God is going to be doing this summer through our staff, speakers and campers!
Summer camp brings to mind things like mosquitoes (I think we'll have plenty this summer!), sticky candy, late nights of giggles and games, smoky campfires, Monday morning jitters, Saturday morning tears, and wild & exciting activities all day long! Remember YOUR days of summer camp? Don't you just wish you could sometimes go back and be a camper?
Some staff will arrive tomorrow - Tuesday and the rest of the staff will arrive on Saturday. They will go through a week of training, then serve our campers during Family camp and then experience their own campers July 12th.
Will you be joining us on this journey? Pray for us as you remember...
Until the next time we meet at the Victory Circle...
Kimberly Mallory
Camp Gilead Program Director
IT IS SUMMER.
Here in the NW we haven't "really" experienced what we'd like to CALL summer...BUT - the Program Staff will arrive tomorrow morning at 10:00 AM and around here - we call that summer time!
We are super excited about what God is going to be doing this summer through our staff, speakers and campers!
Summer camp brings to mind things like mosquitoes (I think we'll have plenty this summer!), sticky candy, late nights of giggles and games, smoky campfires, Monday morning jitters, Saturday morning tears, and wild & exciting activities all day long! Remember YOUR days of summer camp? Don't you just wish you could sometimes go back and be a camper?
Some staff will arrive tomorrow - Tuesday and the rest of the staff will arrive on Saturday. They will go through a week of training, then serve our campers during Family camp and then experience their own campers July 12th.
Will you be joining us on this journey? Pray for us as you remember...
Until the next time we meet at the Victory Circle...
Kimberly Mallory
Camp Gilead Program Director
Thursday, August 20, 2009
from dirtboard Jeremy
My family and so many others came to family camp and it was a great way to end the summer. To see the love that others have for each other and for God lets me know that camp is here for a reason! God has shown me that my love for missions is getting stronger.
Praying about my future after camp and what God has planned for me gives me more and more confidence that a camp ministry is in my future.
The campers and staff have been great this summer and God has been loving with all of it.
Thank you God for this camp and for every other camp that you use!!!
Jeremy Costalez
Dirtboards/Program Staff * Summer 2009
Praying about my future after camp and what God has planned for me gives me more and more confidence that a camp ministry is in my future.
The campers and staff have been great this summer and God has been loving with all of it.
Thank you God for this camp and for every other camp that you use!!!
Jeremy Costalez
Dirtboards/Program Staff * Summer 2009
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Looking back...by Ben Nelson * Counselor
As I look back on this summer of camp, I can honestly say that my predictions of what camp was going to be like were 100% wrong. One example that I have of this can be taken from the first day that the majority of people arrived for staff training. As everyone huddled around the apple trees trying to make a good impression by starting conversation and not saying anything too stupid- in comes Pastor Jim Mailloux. While everyone is deep in the awkward stage of introductions, he decides to make an appearance on Josh’s video camera to introduce everyone to Camp Gilead summer of ’09. He starts yelling into the camera like a mad man, and goes around interviewing new staffers (who, at the same time, are trying to avoid him so that they can keep their newly-developed image somewhat clean). To this day, I still believe that this is a very taboo subject in all things “camp”. It is very funny to look back afterwards and to see how everyone responded in this situation. If any staff member had been in this situation mid-way through the summer, there would have been no problem. In fact, it would have most likely evolved (with some help of course, because, we all know that…. ‘that didn’t happen by chance!!’- ‘no way!! Sorry, I couldn’t resist. :) into some huge ordeal.
Ohhhh, campers. Where to start? Of course!- my favorite camper quote. But, unfortunately, I can’t pick one- so I will have to pick two. My second favorite quote has to be when one of my campers spoke up in chapel to tell the pastor (with fill conviction) that he was incorrect in saying that “obey” was one word. Later, I briefly explained that he would have been correct if only he had said “syllables”. And here is my favorite camper quote of the whole summer: “Ben, are there really squid in the pond?” I will never be able to forget that even if I try to. Nor will I be able to stop searching for squid in the pond. ;) On a serious note: I cannot begin to explain how blessed I was by each and every camper that was in my cabin this summer. Though there were times of ups and downs, times of happiness and sadness, times of crying and laughing, times of exhaustion and coffee, times of dirtiness and (sometimes) cleanliness, times of gross-smelling clothes and fresh smelling clothes (on monday)- there is not a doubt in my mind that God had each and every camper in my cabin for a reason. I was able to get to know each camper that was in my cabin, and had an idea of what God was doing in each of their lives- whether or not they knew Jesus Christ as their personal savior. And for those that came into my cabin that do not know the Lord, I can only pray for them, that the Holy Spirit might work in their hearts. Glory to God for an awesome summer, and for all the work that has been done in these campers’ lives.
Ben Nelson
Counselor Cabin 11 * Summer 2009
Ohhhh, campers. Where to start? Of course!- my favorite camper quote. But, unfortunately, I can’t pick one- so I will have to pick two. My second favorite quote has to be when one of my campers spoke up in chapel to tell the pastor (with fill conviction) that he was incorrect in saying that “obey” was one word. Later, I briefly explained that he would have been correct if only he had said “syllables”. And here is my favorite camper quote of the whole summer: “Ben, are there really squid in the pond?” I will never be able to forget that even if I try to. Nor will I be able to stop searching for squid in the pond. ;) On a serious note: I cannot begin to explain how blessed I was by each and every camper that was in my cabin this summer. Though there were times of ups and downs, times of happiness and sadness, times of crying and laughing, times of exhaustion and coffee, times of dirtiness and (sometimes) cleanliness, times of gross-smelling clothes and fresh smelling clothes (on monday)- there is not a doubt in my mind that God had each and every camper in my cabin for a reason. I was able to get to know each camper that was in my cabin, and had an idea of what God was doing in each of their lives- whether or not they knew Jesus Christ as their personal savior. And for those that came into my cabin that do not know the Lord, I can only pray for them, that the Holy Spirit might work in their hearts. Glory to God for an awesome summer, and for all the work that has been done in these campers’ lives.
Ben Nelson
Counselor Cabin 11 * Summer 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
wow...by amy craig - counselor
Wow. That's all I can really say. Camp was AMAZING this summer! Coming from California, not knowing anyone or how to do anything, I was very nervous about working at camp. But God definitely knew what He was doing when He opened up the doors for me at Gilead. I learned so much, and was able to help my campers learn more about God and His creation.
It was incredible to see God working in their lives! Camp was definitely a growing experience for me. I'm not usually the one to get up in front of people or lead a devotion, but at camp those were some of the things I needed to do. With God's help, I was able to lead devotions every night, be silly in front of the kids, and even share my testimony in front of all the campers. I had to come way out of my comfort zone to do God's will, but you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way. Being part of all those kids' camp experience and just being able to work for God was truly amazing.
Amy Craig
Camp Counselor Summer 2009
It was incredible to see God working in their lives! Camp was definitely a growing experience for me. I'm not usually the one to get up in front of people or lead a devotion, but at camp those were some of the things I needed to do. With God's help, I was able to lead devotions every night, be silly in front of the kids, and even share my testimony in front of all the campers. I had to come way out of my comfort zone to do God's will, but you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way. Being part of all those kids' camp experience and just being able to work for God was truly amazing.
Amy Craig
Camp Counselor Summer 2009
Sunday, August 16, 2009
What God Can Do When You Let Him...by Aimee Parkinson
Amazing and stretching! Those two words pretty much sum up the summer. Looking back I had always said that I would never work at camp as a counselor, but God had TOTALLY different plans in mind. He knew that I needed to work at camp and he made it work out so perfectly that I had to just trust him to know what he was doing.
Pretty much all summer God has been teaching me to trust him completely and rely on him for strength and guidance. Even the weeks when I had a tough cabin and was ready to quit God just kept reminding me that I needed to rely on him and his strength and not my own. This summer I was forced to be outgoing and get involved, instead of just being in the background. I normally am not outgoing and that was one of the biggest fears I had about working at camp, but God again knew that working at camp was just what I needed in stretching me in that area. I also learned a lot of patience; patience with my campers, patience on the direction of my life, and total surrendering to the fact that God’s in control and I’m not.
God worked in amazing ways this summer. I can tell you right now that it was not from me or anyone on staff working magic, but it was all God working through us to see his will and plan accomplished. God worked in the big things and even the little things this summer. Even the small things that we think don’t matter as much God takes those and uses them for his glory. When we allow God to use us he does so in extraordinary ways! He stretches you and molds you into the person he wants you to be.
A song that I’m always reminded of is the song “ Use me here, where I am I’m not going to pray anymore that u’ll change your plans despite my fears I place my life in your hands the future can wait tomorrow might be to late so use me here.” God wants to use us, but we got to be willing to not let obstacles stand in the way.
God is totally amazing and this summer will be a summer that I will never forget. Not just from the amazing friendships I’ve made, but from the things that the Lord taught me. God is definitely not done working in my life, but this summer was just a glimpse of how big my God is and how much he can do in and through me if I only let him.
Philippians 4:13 “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
Aimee Parkinson
Camp Gilead Counselor * Summer 2009
Pretty much all summer God has been teaching me to trust him completely and rely on him for strength and guidance. Even the weeks when I had a tough cabin and was ready to quit God just kept reminding me that I needed to rely on him and his strength and not my own. This summer I was forced to be outgoing and get involved, instead of just being in the background. I normally am not outgoing and that was one of the biggest fears I had about working at camp, but God again knew that working at camp was just what I needed in stretching me in that area. I also learned a lot of patience; patience with my campers, patience on the direction of my life, and total surrendering to the fact that God’s in control and I’m not.
God worked in amazing ways this summer. I can tell you right now that it was not from me or anyone on staff working magic, but it was all God working through us to see his will and plan accomplished. God worked in the big things and even the little things this summer. Even the small things that we think don’t matter as much God takes those and uses them for his glory. When we allow God to use us he does so in extraordinary ways! He stretches you and molds you into the person he wants you to be.
A song that I’m always reminded of is the song “ Use me here, where I am I’m not going to pray anymore that u’ll change your plans despite my fears I place my life in your hands the future can wait tomorrow might be to late so use me here.” God wants to use us, but we got to be willing to not let obstacles stand in the way.
God is totally amazing and this summer will be a summer that I will never forget. Not just from the amazing friendships I’ve made, but from the things that the Lord taught me. God is definitely not done working in my life, but this summer was just a glimpse of how big my God is and how much he can do in and through me if I only let him.
Philippians 4:13 “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”
Aimee Parkinson
Camp Gilead Counselor * Summer 2009
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Coming Full Circle Part 2 ... by Craig Haskins
The song God of Wonders has had a different meaning to me this summer. When I sing this song I think about how big God is. I think about the stars, the moon, and the sky. I am always in awe of how big the universe is compared too little ol’ me. I am in awe that God is so big that, He can even handle the small things. The small prayers that staff say every summer at camp like, “God give me energy” and “God give me encouragement” He hears them and whether or not He says yes, He is always intertwined in ever aspect of our lives. I am proud and honored that this is the God that I sing and give praises to; this is the God that I serve! This is the God that created the mighty star beetle juice and this is the same God that created me.
Lord of all creation
of water earth and sky
The heavens are Your Tabernacle
Glory to the Lord on high
Chorus:
God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are Holy, Holy
The universe declares Your Majesty
And You are holy holy
Lord of Heaven and Earth
Lord of Heaven and Earth
Early in the morning
I will celebrate the light
When I stumble in the darkness
I will call Your name by night
chorus
Lord of heaven and earth
Lord of heaven and earth
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth
holy......holy....holy God.....
Chorus
Precious Lord reveal Your love to me....Father holy.....Lord God Almighty...
The universe declares Your majesty
You are" holy,holy,holy,holy
Halleujah to the Lord of heaven and earth
Craig Haskins
High School Staff Leader
Camp Gilead Summer 2009
Lord of all creation
of water earth and sky
The heavens are Your Tabernacle
Glory to the Lord on high
Chorus:
God of wonders beyond our galaxy
You are Holy, Holy
The universe declares Your Majesty
And You are holy holy
Lord of Heaven and Earth
Lord of Heaven and Earth
Early in the morning
I will celebrate the light
When I stumble in the darkness
I will call Your name by night
chorus
Lord of heaven and earth
Lord of heaven and earth
Hallelujah to the Lord of heaven and earth
holy......holy....holy God.....
Chorus
Precious Lord reveal Your love to me....Father holy.....Lord God Almighty...
The universe declares Your majesty
You are" holy,holy,holy,holy
Halleujah to the Lord of heaven and earth
Craig Haskins
High School Staff Leader
Camp Gilead Summer 2009
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