camp

Camp

I spent my first week at camp last week. I never went to camp as a kid though one summer I did go to three different Bible Schools to help keep me out of my parent’s hair. Crooked Creek Christian Camp called my wife to see if she was interested in being a camp pastor for a week. It only took her about thirty seconds to say no. They asked if she knew of someone who might be willing to do it, and about that time I walked into the room. After getting some information I couldn’t come up with a good reason to say no. I eventually agreed to be the “camp pastor” for the 7^th-9^th grade camp.

On the drive to Crooked Creek last Sunday I realized I was more apprehensive about going to the camp then I was going on the CPT trip to the West Bank last summer. It probably didn’t help that numerous people would ask if I was the Marcus Miller who was going to be the camp pastor. When I would reply in the affirmative the most common response was laughter. Not sure what that says about me, or people’s perception of me.

I did ask one person if they thought it would be the jazz guitarist showing up and I was reminded that most people around here have no idea who that Marcus Miller is. If I knew what I was doing with the internet I could embed a link to his website - and actually I do enjoy much of his music.

The week seemed to go well though I imagine my contributions to the week will likely be fairly low on the list of camp memories. I was responsible for a morning chapel, an evening campfire and was to prepare a list of discussion questions and verses for the evening devotions the cabin counselors were to lead with their kids. It was one of those situations where I likely learned as much as the kids did. One thing I learned is that I couldn’t rely on notes for the campfire session, as the flashlight seemed to detract from the setting. Either that or the light reflected off my face in a way which scared some kids or made others laugh.

It was gratifying to see a lot of former students running much of the week’s program. All but three of the cabin counselors were IMS grads as were the program staff. I was impressed with their creativity, patience, and energy level. By the end of the week I was tired though I had my own little cabin where I could escape to and get some rest or sleep when I needed. I even made it for a week without any newspapers, NPR or the internet.