Church Camps - 2016

The kids always look forward to church camp!  Kaitee & Alex have been attending camp since they were in 4th grade!  Unfortunately, the twins haven't been away to a camp due to changes made in the past few years with the summer activities at church. 

This year, they were finally old enough to attend the Awana camp near Peoria.  The only requirement is age and finishing their Awana book.  To say that they were excited (and maybe a bit nervous) would have been an understatement! 

We enjoyed following their activities through the camp's Facebook page.  Seeing pictures of them did a great thing for this mama's heart!

Will in the tube, Maddie on the noodle

Every day the camp has "mail call". To receive your mail, you have to sing/dance for it.  You can see Will at the end of the line in the first picture and both Maddie & Will in the next picture.

Every morning, before breakfast, they have a time of prayer around the flagpole (as the flag is raised for the day). It is voluntary to attend as it is EARLY!  Will is the short one in the middle (Winner shirt). 

We traveled back down to Peoria to pick them up the next Saturday.  This is how we found Will - all tuckered out.  However, he and Maddie both had enough stories to share to entertain us the 2 hour drive home! I'd say the Awana camp was a success!

Alex & Kaitee both headed south to Lake Williamson in Collinsville, IL with our church's Jr & Sr High Schoolers. As always, Lake Williamson was a beautiful setting and the girls enjoyed themselves with their new breakout groups.

Traveling in style!

Worship!!

Color Party! (Alex's team in purple, Kaitee's in blue)

Mud Pit - ewww!

Testimony Time

Alex standing up, sharing her testimony

Kaitee also shared her testimony at the high school campfire but no pictures to show.  She was asked by the Sr High leader to share again on their "camp recap" night at church.  One of my youth leader friends shared this picture with me with the caption "so proud of your girl!"

Kaitee's Breakout Group

Alex's Breakout Group

Saying Goodbye (Hi School Group)

Next year will most likely see some changes with church camp.  We have been told that Harvest is looking for a camp that is closer to home.  Also, Maddie & Will will be eligible to attend Harvest's camp as they prepare to go into middle school!  They have both expressed interest in attending the Awana camp instead though.  We'll see how everything plays out! We are blessed to have camps available to the kids and leaders who are willing to pour into them!!