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Front Range Camping returned to Quaker Ridge Camp for the third summer in 2008. We held the camp June 15-21. The theme for the week was “The Amazing Race.”
Our total number of campers declined from 2007 from 118 to 97. We attributed this drop to the early date and because we eliminated the New Adventures camp (a three-day camp for first and second grade students.)
Elementary
Coordinator: Jessica Fischer (Calvary, Denver)
Pastor: Rev. Alvin Wilkerson (Flagler Baptist Church)
Elementary camp had 25 children from grades 2-5 for a whole week. Nine wonderful counselors guided and helped teach the children about the “Amazing Race” based on Hebrews 12:1-3. Alvin Wilkerson taught the children, and leaders, that when they needed help in this race, they should stop and pray “Help me Jesus!” The children at camp used that phrase over and over again throughout the week. They used it on our three-hour hike, when they were afraid of bears, and when they just needed a little encouragement. The counselors used it often to keep their spirits up and help them with encouragement.
Fun entwined with the teaching of the week. The kids participated in their own version of the Olympics with “Camp Olympics.” Fun happened with capture the flag, water balloon toss (or fight), and the “human knot.” The children were kept busy and learned to use their prayer of “Help me Jesus.”
Middle School
Coordinator: Chris Oldham (Highland Park, Colorado Springs)
Pastor: Rev. William Wolfe (Highland Park)
The Middle School Camp focused on moving from being partially committed to Jesus to being fully committed. Students were able through small group discussions, daily talks from the camp pastor, and opportunities to talk one-to-one with counselors, to examine what it means to be a follower of Jesus. The small group discussions revolved around what interferes in our life with following Jesus. A key visual was Pastor Bill's three chairs which symbolized our relationship with Jesus.
We were blessed with great weather so the campers took part in all outside activities of swimming, horse back riding, hiking and games....the favorite was kick ball.
Also, an added gift was Estela Schweissing. She came to talk to both the middle and high school campers about her mission work and the Haitian refugees in the Bahamas.
High School Camp
Coordinator: Casey Blanchette (Monument Presbyterian)
Pastor: Rich Blanchette (Highland Park)
High School camp was a great success this year. With our theme as “Amazing Race”, our youth actually had an amazing race based off the television show. The youth got to race and compete in different challenges throughout the week. They had to race to fly a kite, putting puzzles together, getting gummy worms out of a bowl of pudding using their mouth, race to the top of Soldiers Mountain on the campsite and many more. It helped drive home our topic for the week from Hebrews 12 1-3 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Our camp pastor, Rich Blanchette, talked on topics such salvation, sin, faith, and how to trust and obey GOD. We had four wonderful group leaders who had small group time with the youth to help them talk and think about the message for each day.
Worship Team
Coordinators: Steve and Annie Wamberg (Highland Park)
Steve and Annie returned for a second year to lead the worship team. The goal for the worship team was to provide them with experience and learning so that they will be prepared to return to their home churches to lead worship on Sunday morning. They are willing to lead worship in other churches as well.
Challenges for 2009
Camp Date: July 19-25, 2009
How do we get key leadership (pastors and coordinators) from other churches?
Can we include 6-10 kids from the Karen Refugees in the FR Camping Program?
How do we do a better job reaching our African American churches with the camping program?
Michael W. Oldham
Camp Director, Front Range Camping
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