In the beginning of this second day I went around asking campers what their favorite camp activities are. Instead of getting a slew of different answers, the new GaGa pit and the water trampoline were mentioned again and again. So the next day I investigated these a little more. At that time, I had yet to do either of these activities as it is my first summer here, so I was glad to get some campers to explain them to me. I loved hearing the excitement as the campers explained the rules…rules!…of GaGa and the pure joy while describing the thrills of the water trampoline.
Archive for the ‘MyWeek60’ Category
Review: How have you changed? Staff Orientation
One of the many rewarding aspects of working at a children’s camp is watching the campers change as they learn over the course of the week. It seemed appropiate to ask returning staff and those who went to BBC as a camper how they think they’ve changed over the past year either at college or since working here last summer. It was inspiring to hear many of the staff say how they grew from their interactions with the campers. What a privilege to work in a place where you get to influence a child’s life for God while simultaneously growing along side them.
I had no idea how this clip was going to come together. Last week I just interviewed a bunch of staff and didn’t even consider what the visual while they were speaking would be. When I went to put it together during this first week of camp, I realized I had un-purposefully captured the staff that I had interviewed interacting with campers; I had been watching them live out the words they had spoken. Getting to put these words together with actual footage of the staff pouring out love to the campers has given me so much joy.
At the end I included a clip of Bobbi, one the girl counselors, reading this verse “When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you” (Isaiah 43:2). I felt it was fitting for our theme of aglow/fire. May we remember this summer that when we face flames of difficulty we will not be destroyed.
Review: Why Camp? Staff Orientation
Last week was orientation for this summers staff. Some were returning from last summer, others from previous summers and many had never been to BBC before, much less any camp at all. In this clip some of the staff reflect on what they might have been doing this summer, such as other jobs or opportunities that might have paid more and why they chose camp. Others compare BBC to other camp experiences they have had and point out what distinguishes this place. I think everyone agreed on the community that is formed by sharing experiences like cooking over a fire and how as a community we encourage each other to grow closer to God.
For the summer, this is home.
-Pepp
Monday through Friday, 60 seconds of Bethany Birches. One post per day (starting the week of June 27, 2011).
Here’s a longer-than-60-second post from some of our staff on “why camp?”