Church Camp

Singing to our Lord, class time spent in studying the Word, devotionals, worship service, and Christian fellowship are all highlights of time spent at Silver Maple Camp near Kingman, KS for church camp. We had around 200 kids and counselors at the camp grounds this year the last full week in July. This camp is supported and promoted by the churches of Christ throughout Kansas and the neighboring states.

Yes, the weather was hot and humid, but for some reason when you are at camp and busy attending all the activities, you don’t seem to notice it as much. There was only one shower of rain during the week, and it was just enough to settle the dust. The skies at night were absolutely awesome. We would sing songs late at night when it was dark, and you could look up and see part of the vast universe displayed with its brilliant stars. One particular night there was even a shower of falling stars.

We sing a cappella, and it was beautiful. All the parts of bass through soprano were beautifully harmonized. The theme this year was ‘running the race,’ taken from Hebrews 12:1. This theme was studied during morning class time, morning and bedtime devotionals, and was also the subject of the evening worship lesson by five different speakers throughout the week. In the afternoon there was also a session called ‘Pot Luck’ which varied from day to day. It was an activity that got the kids involved with each other and doing some studying in their Bibles. There was also a session called ‘genderfication’ (a word made up by our camp director) in which the boys and girls were separated and learned what their rolls are – not only in life, but also within the church.

The kids were also held accountable for keeping their cabins clean by competing to see who could have the cleanest cabin in order to go to lunch first. And speaking of food – wow! We had three square meals a day that were cooked and served by the volunteer cooks and also volunteers who came from various local congregations to help out. The food was delicious! And then there was afternoon and evening canteen where the kids could have a candy bar and cup of pop. The kids looked with anticipation to this time of day, but it made it interesting for the counselors to get a few of them wound down to get to sleep after that sugar rush.

We also had an evening activity which got all of the kids involved in doing things together – such as ultimate duck-duck-goose, scavenger hunt for items in the Bible, fun night of different games, skit night portraying the Bible character for whom their cabin was named, and talent night where kids could perform for others with their own singing or expertise. Some of these were awesome. And of course there was always afternoon activity time where the girls could swim and the boys do crafts and then switch, or play baseball or soccer, or go fishing.

This was mine and my husband’s eighth year and our sons’ ninth year of attending Silver Maple Camp. It was our youngest son’s last year as a camper, so we will all be returning next year as counselors. Our others sons have been serving in that capacity already the last several years. Probably the most rewarding thing when camp is over for the week is seeing how the kids have grown spiritually during the week. There were even four baptisms this year. We always look forward with anticipation to camp for the next year. It’s great to get spiritually rejuvenated for another 51 weeks. Just as we sometimes need to get the right mindset with our daily life and running businesses or working jobs by reading positive books and being with positive people, we need the Bible and Christian associations to give us the right mindset for getting us through our spiritual life on a daily basis.

Author: Linda Dougherty
Specializes in working with people to show them how to market effectively to earn money online.

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