Hope

Our theme this year is HOPE, the theme verse being Isaiah 40:31: “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Everyone needs hope in their life. I recently read a book on the pacific campaign in WW II and was touched by the POWs in the Philippines. Those who survived the Bataan death march and subsequent years in a terrible prison had a consistently hopeful attitude and were shockingly supportive and kind with eachother.

A quick google search on hope takes you to an article in Psychology today that gives a scientific nod to the impact of hope on our bodies. Hope: “is essential to life. Research indicates that hope can help us manage stress and anxiety and cope with adversity. It contributes to our well-being and happiness and motivates positive action. Hopeful people believe they can influence their goals, that their efforts can have a positive impact. They are also more likely to make healthy choices to eat better or exercise, or do the other things that will help them move toward what they are hoping for.” Psychology Today, Polly Campbell, Feb 5, 2019

Reid, our Main Camp Minister, led our first Morning Assembly today with the first of three devotions on Hope. Many of the cabin devotions this summer will be on the subject of hope. It is very likely that a lot of girls will have meaty conversations with their friends on the subject. It is a worthy theme that will be fleshed out in a variety of ways this summer. If we leave camp with a more hopeful outlook on life, God will certainly be well pleased with this place!

Our Breakfast Club theme of Social Growth continued with an encouragement to be kind. I told the story from my 5th-grade year when a new student at Faith Christian Day School and a boy named Norman was kind to me on the first day. His kindness touched me deeply and I remember him fondly to this day. It is always nice to see how the girls are so kind to each other throughout the session, particularly in these first days.

Changing gears… let’s talk about the Honor Council. Last year we updated The Honor Council. Rather than secretly choosing girls to serve, we allow the Senior-Senior campers the opportunity to develop their leadership skills while at camp their last summer. Many of these campers decided yesterday to take the Honor Council class, committing to three classes (Sandi, The Millers, Outside Mentors) and two service hours every week. This is a significant commitment of time and energy over the course of the summer and we are proud of the girls for choosing to serve. Their first class will be this afternoon during “Club Time”.

The weather is once again perfect (70’s, slightly overcast, the chance of afternoon showers)… feels like Main Camp ought to feel. We will be enjoying Lip Syncs from the older half of camp this evening and all of the campers are wondering what’s in store!

• Breakfast Scrambled Eggs, Hash Browns, Sausage Links.
• Jokes “Why are peppers good archers? They Habenero!” and “A little horse” story.
• Lunch Pesto Pasta (a camper gave us this recipe last year in the suggestion box…. Really good!).
• Dinner Pork Chops, Mashed Potatoes, Green Peas, Terriaki Tofu.
• River Walk Wildlife Eagle, Osprey, many ducks and geese, and a deer
• Moonphase full moon last night… we celebrated with moon pies!

That’s all for now. Thank you for checking in!