Home from Camp

Sorry for the lack of communication on Thursday and Friday - so much happened that we didn't get a chance to post anything. Your students are home now and you've probably heard the stories of the slurge fest (the photos are great!), Shane dislocating his knee (he handled the whole situation amazingly well and is hanging in there on his new crutches), the silly string war between Krista and Dru's room, and mattress surfing down the hallway. Our group alone raised over $750 to send students to church camp in the impoverished eastern European country of Moldova. Two out of three campers in Moldova pray to receive Christ as Savior and the total offering for the camp was $4500! That amount will send 300 students to camp ($15 per camper). While we had a great time, the point of impact we continue to pray for is that the moments of spiritual confession will result in truly changed lives for the students. They are a remarkable group and be sure to ask your student about what s/he learned in their T.A.W.G. time, bible study, and team building sessions. Our speaker, Pastor Jimmy Scroggins, did a fantastic job of challenging the students to take risks and now they need to decide what risks God is calling them to take as individuals and as a group. Many have prayed about full-time ministry, re-dedication, and family reconciliation. We will be presenting about our experience at camp this Sunday, July 1, at 6:00 pm. If the students are involved in music they need to be there at 4:00 pm, and if they want to help out with the service, be there at 5:15 pm. After the service we'll be playing Ultimate Frisbee at Mike Miller - bring $3 for pizza. We should wrap up at the park around 9:30 pm. Continue to pray for all the decisions and commitments that were made during this week and plan for your student (s) to be a part of church camp next year - June 24-27, 2008.

Youth Roots Photos

Many have asked questions about how to view photos of the Youth Group on the Youth Roots site. After signing up, hit the "Groups" tab at the top of the page. A search options will appear and search for the name "Pathway Baptist." Our group should come up under the leader name "drcrapo." Select the Pathway Baptist Church Youth group and then look to the lower right side. An option "Join this group" will be there and you can request to join the group. The request will go to Dan and once he approves, you should be able to view all the photos. We have limited the access of the photos to only members, friends, and family so strangers on the internet cannot view them. We implemented this precaution in order to prevent people from being able to download the pictures who aren't affiliated with our students. I know it's an extra step, but we do everything we can to protect your students. Let us know if you have any difficulty with the Youth Roots site!

Wednesday at Cedarmore

For many students, camp might be the earliest they wake up this summer. Even Bekah was awake at 7:00 am. Many are eating breakfasts (with a lot of cajoling from their leaders), but no one is starving. The food is actually excellent and the volunteer staff serves so graciously. In our checkpoint time last night (which was much cooler and quieter than previous meetings-thanks for praying) the students shared what they had learned in their T.A.W.G. (time along with God), team building sessions, and from the evening worship. The words poured out as students confessed, repented, and challenged one another in their walk and testimony. The theme of one has proved to be effective and powerful. Many students confessed living two or three lives: one at school, home, and church. I am sure many adults could learn from and relate to the truth that these students are learning that the only life worth living is the one life we live in Christ. While the music, activities, and blobbing has been great, the students agree that the best moments are our time as a group to be challenged in the word and build up each other in our faith. Today Amber, Lauren, Jansen and the youth band will perform in the Stage Night and there are always a few nerves before the event. Several students have already responded to receive Christ for the first time and we are still praying for decisions in our group. Please continue to pray as this is the most critical force upon which we rely. Remember your bracelet - by now it should be irritating your arm and hopefully reminding you how few adults truly invest in young people. We are so proud of our church and their faithfulness.

Tuesday at Cedarmore

We arrived safely at Cedarmore after a small part needed to be replaced on our trailer. Fortunately, Pastor Mike noticed the missing part before it became an issue. The students mostly laughed, slept, and ate their plethora of snacks on the way up. When we arrived the students were greeted at the entrance by a staff member who prayed with each of the vans/bus. The craziness then began! We got a group photo, did the wave, registered and found our wonderfully air conditioned rooms. Our first big event was the first evening meeting and energy filled the room as the students poured into the dark room with loud music (ask Meaghan), high fives from counselors, and dizzying lights. Our theme is One and the camp pastor shared with the students how they are part of one story - the biblical story of God creating, redeeming, and restoring this world and God's people. Of course he shared in such a way that mingled laughter with impact. Our students gave him a thumbs up in our checkpoint time as a youth group at night. Our only distraction was our checkpoint room which was sandwiched in-between two other groups with thin walls between us, but today we heard that we will have a much bigger room for our group of 53, and it will be quiet since only our group will use it. Checkpoint time is probably one of the most critical times at church camp and God has already met our need by ensuring this will be a time where we can focus on what God is communicating to us as a group. We wrapped up the evening with our "Girl Time" and the guys with their "Dude Sessions" and some went to bed, while others revelled in new friends, jokes, and Kenny's threat to turn on the heat if they didn't go to sleep. Students shared that they appreciate their counselors, especially the energy they bring and the way they have demonstrated wanting to know each of the students. Our group did team building and had their first POI session. If you want to see photos of these activities, be sure to check out our secure youth roots site and ask to be a member.

God is already at work and the staff at Cedarmore have been praying since last August for our youth. The spiritual dedication makes such a difference and Elizabeth said last night, "we are so free of distraction here, we can hear God, I guess that's why you take away our cell phones." God is working and we are faithfully praying - we'd love for you to join us.

Details for Church Camp

We leave Monday, June 25 and will return Friday, June 29 around 5:30 pm. Be at the ministry center at 6:45 am!!! If you still haven't turned in a medical release form, POI, or your balance, bring it Sunday. Each student can bring a suitcase (no more than 50 lbs.), a carry-on, and a bed roll. Coolers will be provided by the church for cold items. Students need spending money or a sack lunch for the ride up and lunch money for the ride home. Spending money while at camp is optional. Dan has list of items students should and should not bring. A reminder that students should not have cell phones or other electronic devices (mp3 players, dvd players, etc.). Students may also want to bring a black trash bag for wet or muddy clothes/shoes. Be sure to pack one pair of gym shoes (and lots of socks) for rec games. We are pumped about what God can do with us as a group. We are thankful for each student and family who has made a commitment to be a part of this week. Please join us in prayer throughout this week and the weeks ahead.

Items most commonly forgotten:

• Bath towel and hand towel
• Bible, notepad, and pen
• Sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher)
• Bug spray (with deet)
• Extra bag for wet/muddy clothes
• Water bottle
• Sturdy Gym Shoes (i.e., no flip flops on the rec field)
• Aqua Socks (for water games)
• Jeans (if riding horses)

We will be posting updates about camp on the blog, so stay tuned. If parents or friends would like to see daily uploaded photos of camp, please join our secure online youth group site at http://www.youthroots.com/ and Dan will add you as a user who can view the photos.

Swimming at the Donald's

This Wednesday there is no official youth group due to VBS, but we don't want to miss out on our last Wednesday before we leave for Cedarmore. Instead, we'll be swimming at the Donald's pool. Same time (7:00-8:30 pm), but different location. Contact the church if you need directions or call Miss Beth or Ruthanne if you need a ride.

Ultimate Frisbee Sunday

This Sunday (June 10) is a big deadline: notarized medical release forms are due, point of interest (POI) sheets for the students are due, camp deposits are due, and orders for t-shirts and polos are still being taken. If you have a question regarding your remaining balance for church camp, be sure to give Dan a call or send him an email. Sunday night we'll be continuing with our summer series, "Let My People Think." After the combined 6:00 pm service, the youth will leave for Mike Miller park to play some Ultimate Frisbee. We are asking everyone to bring $2.00 to help cover the cost of the sub sandwiches and soda pop. After consuming our 'health' food, we'll play until 9:30 pm. Parents can pick up their student at the park or make other arrangements. We'll see you Sunday...

(Image from www.frisbee.lv/public/userimages/lay2.jpg)

Hot chickens

A special thanks to all our parents, youth, and volunteers who have worked so hard on our fundraiser. Sunday, June 3, is your last chance to buy a chicken (the pork is sold out!). Come out and help us sell our remaining chickens and stick around that evening (6:00 pm) for Washington Street Baptist and their choir. We'll be having an ice-cream social afterwards and everyone is welcome. Be sure to thank a Certified Holy Smoke member for their 72 hours of service to our youth - we are so blessed to have this ministry in our church family.