Camp Crestridge’s Funniest Videos

So hopefully you’ve been keeping up with the posts and have watched some of the other videos.  Remember how the Choctaw relay race and clue night started it all?  If you have no idea what I’m talking about, then read some of the older posts and catch up on the video clips…you won’t be sorry.  Well, these two clips finish it off for those from summer 2008.  Now don’t worry, we’ll still be posting pictures from around camp and short videos of other various things.  

This first clip is from a dance-off held over the summer. The two campers featured here aren’t afraid to be in front of a crowd!

As for this clip, there is so much that I want to say about it, but mere words won’t do it justice.  Let’s just say that during staff week some people find themselves taking one for the team!

I don’t know about you, but I’m kinda hungry now!

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Fun Times at Disney World

This past week, Ron, Phil, Caleb and I had the opportunity to attend the American Camp Association’s National Conference.  Camp professionals from all over the United States gathered to learn how to make their camps even better!  It was information overload, but we learned a lot!  This year’s conference was at Coronado Springs Resort in Disney World.

On Thursday afternoon, the four of us ventured out to Hollywood Studios.  The first ride we went on was the Tower of Terror.  It is like an elevator ride that takes you up 13 stories but then drops suddenly!  It doesn’t do that once, but a few times.  I came off the ride with tears streaming down my face, not because I was crying but because I had never heard Ron scream before! We were all laughing so hard!  The rest of the afternoon included The Great Movie Ride, a Car Stunt Show, the Rock ‘n’ Roll roller coaster, and one more ride on the Tower of Terror.  I love roller coasters, but I thought my heart was going to jump out of my chest on the Rock ‘n’ Roll roller coaster and the Tower of Terror.

We saved the best for last-another ride on the Tower of Terror.  We wanted all of you to experience the thrill with us.  The second video is for sound purposes only.  Listen closely and you can hear us laughing and screaming, but pay special attention to Ron!

We hope you enjoyed this special blog dedicated to our great director, Ron Springs!

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In a Little While

In a Little While
Read This Passage: 2 Corinthians 5:1-10

For we walk by faith, not by sight—yet we are confident and satisfied to be out of the body and at home with the Lord. —2 Corinthians 5:7-8

WHEN OUR BOYS were younger, we camped quite often. We had a tent and would pack up all we needed to enjoy the great outdoors. After a few days of chiggers, paper plates, and sleeping on the ground, home usually started to look pretty good.

After several years of camping, our tent began to show signs of wear. There were a few patches, a stuck zipper, a torn window flap, warping or broken poles, and a musty odor. Our tent was generally just worn out!
Tents are nice for camping and you probably got to experience one this past summer, but they are not intended to be a permanent home. Today’s Scripture begins by calling our bodies tents. Much like a camping tent, our bodies experience a lot of wear and tear, and as we age, they eventually get worn out. God’s plan for our lives is not for us to remain in these bodies. They are temporary “tents” until He takes us to our permanent home in heaven.

As I am writing this, a dear friend is attending the funeral of her 5-year-old granddaughter. For the past two years and nine months, many people have prayed that God would heal her, and a few days ago, He did!

Rather than just putting another patch on her worn-out tent, God let her move to her new home with Him.
Perhaps you’ve asked God for a miracle, and someone still died. It is a miracle when God gives us ways to patch our earthly tents so we will last a little longer. It is an even greater miracle, though, when we move to heaven and God gives us our eternal body that will never wear out.

Camping is fun but only temporary. Life is eternal.

Real Choices
Sometimes people are afraid to talk to others about death because they don’t know what to say. If you know someone who is hurting or mourning over a loss, go to them and simply listen and pray with them.

Digging Deeper
For more information about your new body, read 1 Corinthians 15:35-57.

Pray
Father, thank You that death is not final because You offer eternal life. Give me opportunities and courage to share Your hope with those who are experiencing grief and loss.

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Adding Character to the Bear Trap

The fixtures are in!  Last week, the crew put in the lights and fans, both inside and out.  They also put in the toilets and sinks in the bathrooms.  Having the lights and fans up add a lot of character!

Hayne and Phil are being crazy as usual!  Hayne and his family live in Black Mountain and help us out with the videos during the summer.  He also does odd jobs around camp during the year.

The construction crew has a few more little things to finish and then they will be able to put in the hardwood floors!  Hopefully within the next week or two!  We’ll keep you posted!

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Reservations

Reservations
Read This Passage: Colossians 1:3-6

For we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints because of the hope reserved for you in heaven. —Colossians 1:4-5a

RESERVATIONS. That word probably makes you think of some fine dining experience. But there are many other reasons people make reservations, including vacations, concerts, and plays. Reservations are a guarantee that a place will be held for you at the event.

Someone had to make a reservation for you to attend camp last summer. The only way you can come next summer is if someone makes another reservation under your name.

Similarly, reservations have been made for believers in heaven in the name of Jesus who said, “No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Jesus also said that He knows His sheep (John 10:27), referring to those who believe in Him. No one will be allowed into heaven without the right reservations.

A final connection of this example is the banquet. in Revelation 19. Here, Jesus is compared to a groom returning to get his bride, which is the church. It was common in biblical times that a feast or banquet was prepared as part of the wedding celebration. When Jesus returns for His church, all believers will be allowed to attend the marriage feast.

On most wedding invitations that include a reception, there are four special letters at the bottom: R.S.V.P. The letters come from the French expression répondez s’il vous plaît, meaning “please respond.” Jesus has invited you to eternal life through a relationship with Him. Have you responded?

Real Choices
If you have not accepted Jesus’ invitation, will you please respond today? If you have already responded to Jesus’ invitation, share it with a friend today.

Digging Deeper
Another banquet story is found in Luke 14:15-24. What are some of the excuses people had for not attending the banquet? Are these similar to excuses people use today to reject God’s invitation?

Pray
Thank You, Lord, that as a believer my reservation is guaranteed! Help me to be courageous and bold to share Your invitation with others.

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Cabins are almost done

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Walk This Way

Walk This Way
Read This Passage: Ephesians 4:1-6

I, therefore, the prisoner in the Lord, urge you to walk worthy of the calling you have received.
—Ephesians 4:1

ON VALENTINE’S DAY, 1973, 20 prisoners of war came home from Vietnam. The first to touch American soil was Jeremiah A. Denton Jr., a naval captain who had been shot down and captured in 1965. Denton spent more than seven years in captivity, including four in solitary confinement. He gained the world’s notice not long after he was imprisoned when, during a televised interview arranged by his captors, he blinked his eyes in Morse Code. Though hard to believe, he succeeded in repeatedly spelling out “T-O-R-T-U-R-E.”

You might think that suffering years of mistreatment, neglect, and torture would cause Denton’s -allegiance to his country to wane. But it did not. As the spokesman for the other arriving POWs, Denton turned to the microphones and said, “We are honored to have had the opportunity to serve our country under difficult circumstances. We are profoundly grateful to our commander in chief and to our nation for this day. God bless America.”1

In the fourth chapter of Ephesians, Paul wrote about another type of captive, one he called a “prisoner in the Lord.” He exhorted those of us who claim that title to live like it. We, much like Jeremiah Denton, have an opportunity to serve God under difficult circumstances—ones that require all the humility, gentleness, patience, and love we can muster. God’s standard of success doesn’t look like the world’s. Sometimes we’re called to walk through pain and sacrifice.

Does living this way seem like only a duty or obligation to you? Or are you honored to be a “prisoner in the Lord”?  Are you willing to live for Christ outside of camp, in the “real world”?

Real Choices
Are you facing difficult circumstances in your life? Remind yourself daily that you have a unique opportunity to serve God even during this situation. Demonstrate through your actions (and reactions) that you are a “prisoner in the Lord” today.

Digging Deeper
Paul was a prisoner in more ways than one. Research the Book of Acts to learn about some of his experiences in chains. Discover how he viewed his difficulties in Philippians 1:12-14.

Pray
Pray for your enemies. Ask God to help you show love to those who are causing problems in your life.

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Greetings from the road…

February is a big month for recruiting kids and staff!  Ron is recruiting campers down in Florida, then out in Louisiana.  Stewart is recruiting staff in Florida.  Abby will be up in Virginia, Eastern North Carolina and Georgia.  Phil will be participating in local recruiting events.  I have been out to Alabama, Mississippi and am now in South Carolina.  We are hoping to visit over 30 staff recruiting events within the next few weeks.  Needless to say, we are busy!

One thing I love about traveling is the time I get to spend with previous staff and campers!  On my journey out to Alabama and Mississippi, I was able to see around 15 staff and campers.  I started out by visiting Madeline Gaffney in the hospital in Atlanta, GA.  Madeline was recently diagnosed with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia and receiving treatment.  I saw her in ICU on Monday and a few days later, she was released and is now home!  What great news!

After stopping in Atlanta, I drove on to Tuscaloosa, AL to visit Elizabeth Lewey and Amy Price.  Over the next few days, I was able to go to Mississippi College, Mississippi State University, and Samford University.  I was able to see Alison Knutson Schmitz, Norman, Jane and Sara Catherine Joseph, Seth Ladd, Kathleen Hobbs, Brooke Crutchfield, Lauren Lunceford, Caroline Fortson, and Judith Anne Dansby.  The girls at Samford miss camp and wanted to show you what they do when they have “camp fever!”

I am currently in Columbia, SC recruiting at Shandon Baptist Church College Ministry, Winthrop University, and Columbia International University.

Summer will be here before we know it and we can’t wait for everyone to come!

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Camp Crestridge Funny Video Clips

Over the years Camp Crestridge has built many traditions, including Council of Progress, sockwar, and singspiration.  Another activity that has grown into tradition here at Crestridge is hiking it over to the Nibble Nook for ice cream each Sunday evening.  And with that many girls crammed into one space getting hyped up on sugar anything can happen.  As videographer, it’s part of my job to help make things happen and to capture it on video…which is what the first video clip is about.  As for the second video, it’s a little glimpse into a Cherokee village activity.  I love it when the girls get messy and especially when it’s in the face!  Hope you enjoy watching these as much as I do.

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Cheyenne Bath house has become a home!

I know what some of you must be thinking (especially if you haven’t kept up with all the construction going on at Crestridge!).  Why would anyone want to live in a bath house?  Well, this post signifies the end of calling it the old Cheyenne bath house. It is now the new Cheyenne, Choctaw and Cherokee hut.  Those of you who remember it as a bath house will be amazed at the transformation.  I walked in there this past weekend and was blown away at how much Marty had gotten done in so little time.  Who needs a whole construction crew when Marty is around?  

Incidentally, the walls you see in the pictures are the same kind that’s in the new cabins.

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