A Letter To Our Campers

Week 6 the CILT counselors did a spin off of A Letter To A Person On Their First Day Here and created A Letter To Our Cameprs. Tim was in a hammock, Alli at a table in the dining hall, Liz was ready to go kayaking and I was in my bunk on stage. 

We'd written the script together, hoping to share the idea that at camp we get to live life to the full. Jesus says that he came, "That you may have and enjoy life. That you may have it abundantly, to the full, until it overflows."

The chapel was such a hit that later that afternoon Mike and Kayla came to film each of us in our spots around camp so that Mike could turn into a real video for camp. To put it mildly, we were freaking out.

Monday of Week 7 Mike finished and upload the video. I love it and think he did such a fantastic job. I love how he used drone footage to give such a beautiful picture of camp and so many different views of why we love this place. 

There's a lot that the kids need to know. Today over 500 kids will be at camp. And you are one of them. Welcome! This is camp. It's a pretty cool place. There's a lot to see, smell. There's chaco tacos. Uh, I'm getting ahead of myself. There's just so much to do-- singing, dancing, oh and laughing. Laughing's the best. Especially great when you laugh and chocolate milk comes out of your nose. But only if you just had milk. Otherwise it's just gross. 

Some days gross things will happen like mud hikes and food waster. Some days awesome things will happen like blob time and rest hour and sleep outs. Some days you'll get ice-cream. Some days you won't. Some days you'll master a new friendship bracelet patter. Some days your stings will get tangled. That's just how it is here.

There's plenty of reasons to dance. You just have to look for them. Don't worry though. You won't be doing this alone. You're going to meet lots of new people here-- in your cabin, on the friendship bench, in your clinics, you'll even meet new friends during Trading Post. Some of them will be really nice and some won't be. It's not that they can't be... Maybe they're just having a bad day.

Being a person is hard sometimes. You should give people high fives just for getting to flag pole on time. Encouraging others is a great way to be 3rd. Oh, being 3rd! I forgot to explain that. How do I explain this? It's when we put God first, others second and yourself third.

Just treat everybody like it's their birthday. Even if they don't deserve it. Because we all mess up sometimes. The best mess up? Not forgiving each other's mess ups.

Maybe you'll go on a trail ride for the first time. Maybe you'll be Dessert Girl. Maybe you'll move up a swim band level. You might even climb to the top of Mt. Wood. Oh this is so, so much. It's a lot. Try this, stretch your mouth all the way out to your ears... Isn't that amazing?! It's called smiling! You're going to do it a lot--that's just what we do at camp. So enjoy it. 

Pay attention. Take brain pictures. "Click!" Because amazing things will happen every day. You're going to do so much. But it's not about what you do. It's about who you are.

You? You're awesome. You were made that way. God made you from love, to be love, to spread love. Love is always louder. No matter what. Even if hate has a bullhorn. Love is louder. So let your life be loud. Let's should to the world, "THINGS CAN BE BETTER! IT'S OK ABOUT ALL THE MESS UPS! CHACO TACOS RULE!" Sorry, I just keep bringing that up.

I don't think I told you this yet, but we're really glad you're here. We don't say that enough to each other. Because, well, life gets busy. But it's so awesome that we've got one whole week together to love each other. You're part of this family now. 

You're going to be important. And you're going to do a lot. And you're going to sweat a lot. You're going to get a lot of hugs and a lot of high fives. Your counselors feel so lucky that you're in their cabin.

Remember to let everybody know you're glad they're here at camp with you. But you don't have to remember all of this right now. You're going to need a refresher sometimes. And that's ok. That's why we have chapel and devotions and counselors who are like our older brothers and sisters. 

For now, remember this: You're here. You're awesome. Live like it.