As promised, I’m going to attempt to recount ten of the best moments from camp last week. I could easily go on for far more than ten reasons but here’s what I’ve got, and these are in no particular order.
- Nightly Girl Talk - Every night after cabin time, or right before bed my girls and I would have some good old-fashioned girl talk time. Just like a junior high sleepover, complete with musings about which boys they thought were hot and how they imagined striking up a conversation with them. For example, “Oh hi what’s your name? Oh, it’s Casey, oops yeah I already knew that, oh and you’re also the captain of the football team and the baseball team, that’s amazing…” The guys in question all had various nicknames including Rainbow, Alpha, Sheebee, and others.
- Nick Dominating the Frankenstein - One of our boys decided that one of his goals at camp was to eat a Frankenstein in record-setting time. A Frankenstein is a massive 10 scoop sundae, with 5 toppings, and whip cream on top. All of SK gathered around with the video camera rolling as Nick started pounding the sundae. He ate like 3 scoops in 2 minutes but eventually started to slow down. It came down to the wire with the record of 6 mins and 58 seconds quickly approaching but Nick beat the clock with 7 seconds to spare. We went completely CRAZY! Cheering and jumping up and down.
- The Hike aka “Secret Squirrel” – There’s a hike offered at camp up to Inspiration Point, and I’ve never gone before despite my numerous trips to Malibu (I think this was 8 or 9). But this year, I was determined to go and was hoping that one of the guy leaders would be willing to guide the girls up the mountain. Well, because our group was so small Jim invited the girls to accompany the boys on the traditional “Secret Squirrel” mission. This is the first time EVER the girls were invited to go. So not to give anything up we got to go on the hike while everyone else at camp was otherwise occupied and enjoy the view at the top! It was a blast climbing with the boys who challenged me to climb without my hands, I tried but definitely stopped to put a hand down so I wouldn’t fall. Ahh…I can’t wait to go hike it again!
4. Mark Wagner - Our camp musician was Mr. Mark Wagner, who is incredible. Facebook him or look him up on iTunes if you don’t believe me! We had the pleasure of listening to him lead songs and treat us to playing his own stuff each night. Amazing lyrics and such a great heart…in fact I’m listening to him right now as I type!
5. The Bear - When I was in high school, Jim had decided that it would be a good idea to hide in the bushes with the video camera secretly set up and then jump out at some girls and me as we walked by. Well it didn’t quite work out as he had planned so we refilmed a more dramatic encounter. This year, Jim thought we should take advantage of this and try it out with my group of girls. Essentially, the same thing happened, he jumped and…not much happened so we refilmed. It was like a scene from a horror movie we were jumping all over each other screaming bloody murder and ended up in a heap on the dusty gravel path. I can’t wait to see the video.
6. New Campers – Last year when I went to camp about 75% of our kids had gone before and a lot of the magic of Malibu seemed to fade away. They had done it all before and didn’t seem to be quite as willing to take it all in a second time. This year, all my girls were first time campers. I absolutely LOVED watching them take camp in for the first time, all the secrets and surprises that I knew were coming and they were oblivious to just made it so much better. Even the things that were surprises for me. So, when we got off the boat and into camp day one my girls and I went straight to the Blob. After that we were on our way to the pool when we spotted some Work Crew kids at a table with free hot dogs in freshly homemade hot dog buns. I heard about how awesome those hot dog buns were all week. I love that they loved the little stuff, and each night as we lay in our bunk beds someone would say, “I can’t believe we get to wake up to this every morning!”
7. Potential Husband - Okay, so we kinda already covered this in girl talk but, it was such a major part of the week I’ve gotta expound a little more. Basically, there was a leader who happens to be my age who lives close and once my girls found out we were the same age they were dead set on the fact that we should get married. No dating, just married. We had code names and they not so subtly tried to force us together all week. I was not entirely opposed just not in favor of their BOLD moves. We discussed things in-depth and they did some espionage work and were convinced with all the new info. that we were meant for each other. The week ended, and just like at the start of camp I am not romantically linked to anyone. So there you have it! But it was fun to flirt a little! :0)
8. Daily Quiet Time - Every morning before my girls woke up, I’d grab my Bible, some coffee and head down to inner dock to my favorite spot for a little quiet time. Sitting in the early morning among God’s awesome creation, reading his word and spending quality time with Him…so blessed. So, so blessed.
9. Mr. Rob/Post Secrets - Our speaker was phenomenal, he knew how to connect with the kids and make sense of complicated issues. And he is a fantastic story-teller. He threw himself into life at camp even though life has thrown him a curveball in the last few weeks. The kids also had the opportunity to anonymously reveal a secret, by writing it down on a slip of paper and turning it in to a station around camp ala PostSecret.com. Some of the secrets were shown in a video presentation and at the end of the week, every single secret had been nailed to the cross. What a powerful picture of God’s love for us.
10. Deepening Connections – All my girls and I came away from camp with a deeper connection with each other and with God. They asked questions, including “Why is God called God? Why isn’t he called…Don?” And more serious questions about humanity and hurting people, and how to have a relationship with him. I was so humbled by their honesty, and openness to share and question. We had some DEEP conversation, and I didn’t always have the answers but I know God does.
Honestly, I could easily write another ten favorite moments, but I’ll just briefly list them off because I can’t bear to leave anything out! :0)
- Caribe! First time since high school
- Zip Line
- Ropes Course with the video camera
- Acting like a member of the media with Jim’s uber fancy camera
- Sitting with girls during one-on-ones and just listening to them talk
- Foam Party
- Dance Party
- Cody making faces out of his food at EVERY meal
- Jersey Jazzy Jumpers – Fine Fresh Fierce We Got it On Lock!
- Eating a Frankenstein with my girls
- “Baby, baby, baby….OH!”
- Worship time
- Sunbathing
- Kayaking – We saw a baby seal!
- Blob
- Giving the girls presents
- Entertainment Night
- Listening to constant raps and original songs performed by two of my girls
- Promising the girls they could be my 4 flower girls if I were to marry their intended bachelor
- Obstacle Course
- Jumping in the inlet fully clothed
- Jumping in the pool fully clothed
- Frisbee Golf
okay, okay, I have to stop now…night!
