#ElevateSC15

So it seems we somehow manage to cram as much travel into July as we can. Summer camp with our students is always a highlight in the adventure that is July. Stephen got to be there for middle and high school week just like last year. Middle school went first this year, then I joined him for high school week.

After 10.5 hours on 5 charter buses with 255 middle schoolers, this group of leaders still had enough energy to get things started out with excitement! Youth leaders really are the best!

Camp did not lack anything when it came to things for students to do:

 

Students got to spend time during free time playing a game called 9 square. Think 4 square with 9 squares in the air with a bouncy ball. They loved it!

Each day they got to participate in a rec activity. There was some pretty epic paint ball that happened. I was too much of a loser to join in that game.

We walked away with a few minor injuries. My girls at high school week were so proud of their bruises.

Middle schoolers got to do the high ropes course, which is SO fun. Sadly on the last night they were there, a bad storm came through and knocked a tree onto the zip line, which shut down the course for high school week.

We all had a blast at the water park!

...especially with the selfies!

 

Our rec games for the week were a blast! Our boys represented on the blue team.

The girls showed no fear on the green team!

Leaders catapulted dodge balls in the air while teams ran away with a sheet trying to catch them.

Since the high schoolers couldn't go to the high ropes course, they went to the lake. They learned last year that the lake is super lame so they weren't thrilled about this change in plans. But, we made the best of it and played a pretty pitiful game of volleyball.

High school week we got to raft and tube! What else do you expect high schoolers to do other than take a lot of selfies?!

 

 There was never a shortage of entertainment...

...or strength competitions

With all of this fun in the sun, it didn't take long for exhaustion to set in.

Hanging out at night was always fun. Our late night activity was a glow stick dance competition.

 

Time with students always allows for lots of time for silly faces!

The most important activity was family group time. Students spent time each morning and evening digging into God's Word with their family group.

The hard part, especially this year with this being our last event with our Summit students, is saying goodbye. Stephen goes way back with this student below. Her grandfather was one of his Sunday School teachers, her dad was one of his youth leaders in high school, and now he has the privilege of leading her. It's cool to watch how God writes our story!

These two below are what we like to call super leaders! They are high schoolers who serve with our middle schoolers as leaders. So, they came to middle school week as leaders and then stayed for high school week as students. They did an amazing job being leaders throughout both weeks. I was so proud of their leadership and the example they set for their peers despite eating gross camp food two weeks in a row and being beyond exhausted.

I love serving with this guy and watching him thrive in his job. He really is the best and never ceases to impress me!

Camp really is one of our favorite events of the year. It allows students to get away from home, disconnect, build community with their friends, and really sets the tone for the coming school year. It is cool to watch God move among students and a great reminder that He isn't done working yet! He's got big plans for these students.