Thursday

Today was jam packed! 

Breakfast of course then we headed to morning activities at the lake/pool, crafts, game hub and more! 

We just hung around and took it easy on our last full day to try and get the most out of everything.

From morning activities we had to get our group picture in since it was raining on Sunday and then headed to our last horizontal time.

When we go up he got our new t-shirts and headed to the Carnival that was put on by our friends from Child Spirit Inc. They brought in lots of carnival games, inflatables and lots of popcorn and cotton candy! 

It is a yearly event and everyone has so much fun! 

We had a little free time after the carnival and just played on the basketball courts and went back to the dorm to get ready for the talent show.

We had HUBERS for dinner and it was amazing and so delicous! It is a staple at camp and we look forward to it every tear! 

The talent show was next and we had 31 performances from the kids and companions and it was such a good show! We had instruments being played, lots of singing, sign language and more! 

It was an awesome night! 

Thennnnn

Onto the final camp fire! The last camp fire is so bittersweet and filled with lots of emotions! We sang our hearts out and the graduates got to say a few words in preparation for their final day- it was a good night! 

We ended the night with a lantern parade that the kids all got to decorate and walk through camp together! 

I say it every year but it goes by so fast- it was another amazing first 5 days and I can’t wait for tomorrow!!

Wednesday Afternoon

We got up from horizontal time and had some free time before Dinner and the Halloween costume Dance! 

The pool and lake were open and we had some hairdressers come in and get everyone (girls and guys) all dolled up for the dance!

We had dinner and then a Halloween costume dance! It was a really fun time, and some of the costumes were so good!! People for really creative and the costumes turned out so cute! 

The DJ put us all in a dancing mood and it was a very good night! 

Campfire was up next and did not disappoint! We are learning new songs and teaching new campers the old times! 

Wednesday Morning

Today is Holiday theme day! We had some people dress in holiday colors or costumes in preparation for tonight’s costume Halloween dance! 

We started with breakfast and the weather again is perfect! We had our friends from Aidens LEGO coming by this morning, they are not only big supporters of our kids but come out every year and the kids leave with a hug LEGO set to take home- and even get one for the companions! 

Some kids know their legos very well and finish the starter LEGO set in 2 minutes while other kids take their time and look forward to finishing the whole thing as more of a project. 

We also had some more time at the zip line this morning. This is something I look forward to every year just for the growth you see in kids. They will start out being so scared and never wanting to try it to slowly seeing other kids do it and want to eventually give it a chance! So much fun to do and watching the ones scared to do it and then do it is such a cool thing! 

Crafts was open and busy as usual. We also have what we call the Game Hub. Some kids just like to sit down and play a board game or card game and it is usually just as busy because it’s just fun to sit back and relax with friends and do something a little slower speed for a few minutes! 

We just finished lunch and are currently in the middle of horizontal time. We have a busy afternoon ahead of us, but I wouldn’t have it any other way! 

Tuesday Afternoon

After a little rest and a deep shower to get the pie creme off we started into afternoon activities. We had laser tag for the older kids and a science expo event for the younger kids!

We headed to dinner from then! 

The evening was a busy night! Everyone got to do a few activities- the younger kids got to make their drive I. Movie cars on the cardboard boxes then watched a movie in them! 

The older kids got to watch a magician and play some game show games. They got pretty into the games which is so fun to see them get up and do something different. They were some silly games- but so much fun! 

Tomorrow is Holiday theme day so I bet we are going to see some fun outfits and costumes! 

Tuesday Morning

Today is Boot Camp themed so we are seeing a lot of camo this morning! Breakfast was first as usual and then from there we did morning activities.

We have split up campers by age so at certain times the older kids do events and then the younger kids will go so everyone is not there waiting in line all day. 

The older kids started the morning at the High Ropes course, which is new to the camp this year and very cool! It’s an obstacle course off the ground you have to go through one section at a time and then can zip line to the bottom! 

The younger kids had some time for crafts and we had a group come in and do some obstacle course and group games, called Proformance! 

The weather is awesome today, sunny and not overly hot but we are still keeping sun screen in hand and making sure to stay hydrated! 

Then it was lunch- and it was GOOD from mission BBQ!!

Thennnnnnn

It was one of our most anticipated events of the year- the pie fight!! Some choose to go all in and get covered from head to toe and some choose to watch safely from the sidelines!! 

Now we get to shower and take a little down time for horizontal time!

Monday

Monday started out little rainy but still very full of energy and excitement! Breakfast was first then we headed to morning activities.

Crafts, zip lining, archery and more! 

We had our annual Holly’s fishing Derby which was a big success! We had two campers catch more than 7 fish and one catch a huge 28 pound fish! 

It was a blast to the past theme and we had a few people go all out and dress up. 

After lunch we headed to horizontal time to rest for a bit and get ready for the afternoon. From there we had an afternoon at the lake and pool. 

The weather was a little rough at the start but finally let up and we got a lot of good time in at the lake and pool! 

Dinner was next! For dessert we had High Five Donuts come out and bring us HUGE donuts! So good!!

We then headed to a play put on by Derby Dinner Playhouse of Snow White and the Prince. Then the big event- FIREWORKS!!

It was so good and such a great show!!

It was a very good day filled with lots of fun, new friendships and so many good times!! Tomorrow is just as busy and filled with so many more activities!! 

(Temporary Backup) Sunday afternoon and evening

We arrived at the camp site and did a little orientation and went over a few rules before we headed to the dorms and had some free time at the pool and lake.

The rain tried to hold out but we only got maybe an hour of water time before we went to plan B which was head back to the dorms hang out and unpack until dinner.

Dinner was hosted by our friends with Cowboys for Kids which is a fundraiser and group that put on an event for us every year! They always bring the best homemade deserts and a wonderful dinner for us all! 

After dinner we had to change the schedule a little because of weather but it ended up being a nice night once it was all said and done. Sunday’s we usually have motorcycle rides but the rain did take that one away from us.

Everyone went their separate ways between crafts, outdoor games, slot cars and a movie! 

We had a very special ceremony honoring 5 of our campers who are no longer with us. Camp is such an amazing time every year and sometimes the reality of what our camp deals with escapes us until we loose those we care about.

We had a Hope pavilion built in honor of the kids and their families we’re present to see it open. It will be a space for our campers to go and hang out each night which is something they truly cherish. 

We ended the night, the best way- Campfire! Luckily the weather let us all gather around the fire and sing songs which is what we do best!! It was a great first day and I can’t wait to see what else the week has in store!