Reflections on Camp

What do you get when you mix two weeks of camp, the hot Texas sun, eighty kids, rope courses, rock climbing walls, preaching, and let’s not forget ─ the BLOB? You get memories that last a lifetime, fears that have been overcome, friendships that were created, and deeper relationships with Jesus Christ.

I had the honor of taking our middle school and upper school to camp Cho-Yeh two times over the last two weeks. Camp consisted of a low rope team building exercise where the kids were challenged to work together as a team. Some did this easier than others, but at the end of the day, a very valuable lesson was learned. They learned that we are much stronger and wiser together. The students learned that size doesn't matter, and we all have something positive to bring to the table.

We saw kids overcome their fear of heights by climbing to the top of the rock climbing wall and zip lining down. I personally have a thing for lakes. Maybe it has something to do with a certain school administrator and tubing or my lack of ability to swim. Whatever the case, I don't like them Sam I Am! However, I was challenged to slide down into the lake. I reluctantly took the challenge! Hey ─ they said it was only five feet deep. They were wrong!!! I dropped in and let me just say with thirty-something kids watching, you really resist the urge to scream, “HELP!!!!!!” But, as you can see, I survived. I will see you next year, Lake Evelyn!!!

 Chapel was a special time for us as well. Each chapel consisted of my version of Fear Factor ─ otherwise known as "Bible Survival"! The kids were split into teams and given food and physical challenges. Several of our students led in song and prayer throughout the week. The kids were challenged in the first week to overcome the Giants in their lives (Giants such as Peer Pressure, Faith, Trust, Loneliness and Anger) and to trust that God can do the Impossible ─ overcoming impossible obstacles such as sickness, relationships, physical handicaps, and a new school year.

During the second week with our eighth and ninth graders, we focused on leadership, Spiritual leadership, as well as personal leadership. The students were challenged to be the young men and women that God created them to be. They were encouraged to overcome the obstacles to leadership (Obstacles such as "Complacency, Popularity, Priorities, Insecurity and Fear)! We encouraged the students to give these obstacles to God and allow Him to make them into the leaders we see they can be. Anna Peters came and gave a stirring testimony about her life. This allowed the kids to see that we can overcome these obstacles through faith and perseverance.  

We had a sweet time in prayer and discussion with our upper grades. Students prayed for one another and comforted those who were struggling with different issues. We definitely saw God move in their hearts, and we truly believe an eternal impact was made!

One of the highlights of the trip was the Crud War. This lovely obstacle course consisted of three chaperones, twenty-three students and a ton of MUD. It was fun watching students and staff laugh and play in the mud. We were covered from head to toe in mud and gook. Man, it was awesome!!

Major lessons learned from camp:

(1) God is in control - Trust Him with all your heart!

(2)You can do all things through Christ – “Can't” is never an acceptable answer.

(3)Whatever God has asked us to do, He will make a way for us to fulfill His will, and finally

(4) Leaders must lead - Just because they are young doesn't mean they cannot be leaders! They have to become leaders while they are young so they can become great leaders when they are older! 

Camp was a time of refreshing of our minds, relationship building and renewal of our faith. I am thankful that the Lord allowed me to be a part of two great weeks! Now let's rock this world for Jesus Christ and see what our young people can do!

Corey L. Waters

Campus Minister

Cornerstone Christian Academy