Hello all. Sorry for the delay on this week's post. I hope that most of you are getting as excited for camp as we are. We've spent the past few weeks bouncing new ideas off of each other and tweaking some old ones, with goals of making this camp the best one yet.
As most of you know, we spend a lot of our first day at camp (Saturday) in prayer. We pray for the camp's staff, your fellow counselors, the deans, the volunteers, the weather and of course, the campers...both ones we know and don't know.
We think it's important that you, as staff, be prepared for what "baggage" the kids may bring to camp. And no, I'm not talking about their luggage.
Kids come to camp from every background, every walk of life and there are always a select few that come to camp seeking help more than others.
However, we have also been encouraging you, as counselors, to use this week at camp for yourselves. Yes, the kids are priority No. 1. But it's ok to be a little bit selfish during this week too. This is also a great time for a personal gut check. So, don't be afraid to take some time to yourself next week as well. This is also where a new member of our staff, Marco Salzar, will come in. We are very excited about what Marco is bringing to camp. You will learn more about Marco on Saturday :)
With all of that being said, I want to encourage each and every one of you to spend a little extra time in prayer this week. Focus on us, as a staff, for these next four days and pray for every aspect of camp that comes to mind. Then, on Saturday, after touching on a few of our own personal struggles, we can begin to focus on the kids who are coming to camp that next day.
I also want to encourage everyone to cut themselves off from life outside of Bay Shore next week. I'm not saying this to drive home Bay Shore's "no cell phones" rule, that rule is there for obvious reasons. I'm saying this because I think, in a time where we are SO dependent on having our phones by our side, every minute of every day, you will be surprised as to how refreshing it can be to go "off the grid" for a few days.
Below in the comments section, I'm asking that you post a few personal goals you have for camp next week. Whether it be for yourself, your cabin, a few kids, or us as a staff...share them. Also, if you'd like to throw out prayer requests or suggested prayer topics for these next few days leading up to camp, feel free.