Mid High/Sr High I Tuesday

Tuesday ended in exhausted campers, counselors, staff and resource people because it was so packed full of fun! In the morning we continued our discussion of God’s grace, and how it transforms our lives.  Some of us then wrote poems or short stories on the pontoon during rec classes, while others decorated flower pots, played Frisbee golf or went on a photography hike.  The afternoon was calmer, including some chill time where some played games and others watched some Peter Pan, followed by a little waterfront, a very refreshing break from the hot, hot weather we’re having.  After waterfront, we had a coffeehouse where we made Italian sodas and Chai teas while we played a few board games to get a respite from the heat.  Worship was brief and then we had dinner.

After dinner was the true manifestation of MacGyver day.  Crazy Deer (a semi-mythical creature who roams camp, munching on compost a stirring us from our slumber with his deep wheezing) assembled an army of deer and was planning to take over camp from his perch at Gruber’s Ridge, so each small group had to build a floatilla – a raft – to float their small group members from one side of the waterfront to the other to signify escaping Crazy Deer.   The trick is that they were only given 90 minutes in which to build it, because that’s how long it takes an army of deer to charge down the hill in an organized fashion, and they could only use 3 materials given to them.  The materials included funoodles, logs, a garbage can, and of course, duct tape.  I am proud to report that all groups were successful, and Crazy Deer was thwarted once again.

As a reward for such great work, after campfire we all headed up to Terry Field to watch Bruce Almighty, a film about grace and the power of God.  It was a very long day, but loads of fun, and we of course look forward to another!

Mid High/Sr High I Commences!

This week started off with a fast paced first day.  Fifty campers arrived at about 3:00 pm and they were full of energy.  After being assigned to cabins the campers had a delicious spaghetti dinner.  Small Group Olympics consumed a good portion of the night with games like the Spider-web and Orc Raid.  These games require teamwork, strategy, and a healthy desire for competition.  A small group by the name of Disco claimed a Camp Cross record in the Beach-Ball game with an all-time record of 258 hits.  The night ended with a rocking campfire put on by the Camp Cross staff.

Monday morning started early at 7:45 with some Limbo fun.  The Limbo is always a healthy way to start the day.  Monday had a mystery theme to make the day just a little more interesting.  During morning program we learned about and discussed God’s grace for us.  Small groups bonded well while discussing the topic.  After the lunch the true mystery began with a Surprise Gauntlet, which is where some counselors and staff lined up underneath buckets that may or may not have water in them.  Then the buckets were tuned over and some where pleasantly surprised while others were drenched in water.

The hot weather was ideal for waterfront and everyone enjoyed their time, whether they were swimming or hanging out in Wyatt’s Ark.  After Waterfront we had a true game of mystery by playing a live version of Clue.  The campers worked in their small groups to find members of the “Camp Cross Mafia” who were hidden around camp.  These “Mafia” members would provide the campers with a clue to solve the mystery of JP Carver’s kidnapping.  This activity challenged the camper’s teamwork and helped develop their mystery solving skills.

The night ended with a calm and quiet Taize worship service.  The chants and praise songs gently repeating calmed the campers and staff down and allowed us some time the thank God for everything that he gives to us.  Tuesday is “MacGyver” day so hopefully everyone has their most creative thoughts today.  And that’s the way the cookie has crumbled over the past two days.

Family Camp Wrap Up

When the families arrived at the exact same time as the intense wind storm on Friday, we knew we were in store for a weekend full of fun and excitement, and we couldn’t have been more right! We started with a camp tour and family sign making for their cabins, then we had campfire. The next couple of days was when the real fun occured.

Some of the activities included a hike to the beautiful Gruber’s Ridge and Sunrise Chapel, a canoe trip, fishing, archery, a lazy pioneer’s treasure hunt, and many more. On Saturday evening the parents had a social hour with refreshments and appetizers on the pontoon boat while the children stayed with some of the staff and played games on Terry Field.

After that, the families hiked to pioneer camp to have a hotdog roast for dinner. Following the hotdog roast there was a carnival set up for the families to enjoy; filled with games like darts with balloons, bean bag toss, archery, face painting, and more. It really was too bad that the families couldn’t stay longer, for we truly had a wonderful time!

Intermediate / Jr. High I Wrap-Up

As the first session progressed themes included peace, symbolized by the color yellow, love, symbolized by the color red, and life, symbolized by the color green. On Wednesday the campers took part in a camp-wide “live Clue” scavenger hunt game. They also visited several different stations were they did various peaceful activities such as sand art, meditation, witting letters to God, and dipping their hands in paraffin wax. That evening they played a camp wide game during which “Eraser Man” did all that he could to get the campers wet. On Thursday all of the crayon characters were introduced (friendship, joy, faith, hope, peace, love, and life) “Eraser Man” saw how much fun they were having and was able to accept Jesus into his heart and become a “multicolored crayon.” Bishop Waggoner joined us to celebrate with a regressive dinner starting with a chocolate fountain and sno-cones.

The staff feels very blessed to have had such a smooth and fun first session this summer. Thank you to Candi, Mary Beth, all of the volunteer counselors, and all of the campers. The season is off to a great start!

Day 2 of Intermediate / Jr. High I

The focus of Tuesday was faith and hope, symbolized by the colors blue and purple.  During lunchtime the “Eraser Man” tried to erase the color from several campers, but with the help of the orange, pink, blue, and purple color crayons, he was unsuccessful!  This afternoon the campers braved the cool waters of Lake Coeur d’Alene and enjoyed some waterfront time.  Afterwards they engaged in an energetic round of “Colony Ball.”  This evening we were all entertained during the talent show. The campers displayed their many talents ranging from singing to gymnastics to “improv” skits. 

Int. / Jr. High I Off to a Great Start!

The first session at Camp Cross is off to a great start with many thanks to a great group of campers and counselors and our amazing Camp Leader, Candi Bailey! The theme we are focusing on this week is “Jesus Colors My Life,” and each small group is named after a color. Some small group names include “Screem’n Green,” “Lazer Lemon,” “Razzmataz Red,” “Atomic Tangerine,” and “Outer Space Blue.” Today we focused on friendship and joy, symbolized by the colors pink and orange. We hiked out to Crescent Beach for a “Milk and Cookies Eucharist” led by Rev. Mary Beth Rivetti and dinner, and then the small groups exemplified great teamwork in the “Small Group Olympics.” We wrapped up the day with a “Friendship Bunko” party, and we are praying for warm weather and sunshine for tomorrow!

Introduction

Hello Everyone,I’m Erika Frye and have taken over Tara Polley’s position as the Administrative Assistant for Camp Cross and the Youth Ministries of the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane. It’s going to be a little tough without a Program Director in the office next to me, but Bryan Krislock is helping me along the way. I feel the transition is going smoothly and my fears of not having Tara around giving me directions are subsiding. I’m actually getting the hang of things.I am really excited to be here working with everyone regarding Camp Cross and the Diocese. I have attended Camp Cross since fourth grade, so I feel I have a pretty good insight on how to take over Tara’s job. Everyone here at the office has welcomed me whole-heartedly and accepted me into their office lives.Now that school is out for the summer, I should be working earlier in the day and for longer periods of time. I plan to make this summer for camp and registrations flow as if Tara had never left.

Blessings and Thanksgivings

At this time, sitting here in the office at Camp Cross, I am overwhelmed with the wonder of this place. Of the ability for this part of creation to factor into the transformation of so many lives. This part of creation, filled with people who are learning about themselves, about what it means to be in community, about nature and about God and their spiritual journey. How can we walk together? What does this look like and what should it look like?

Through the last seven years it has been a blessing to be a part of this place. I liken it to raising children, you do what you can to teach and prepare them for LIFE. Hopefully a part of that is the development of their central core, what makes them unique and who they are. Throughout this process you are not alone, friends, family and God’s Grace, all factor into their development. Then comes the time for them to be on their own. As a parent it is scary, wondering if you have done the right things. Who are they? Will they be strong enough to face lifes challenges? If you are fortunate, God, family, friends and you will still have an opportunity to be present for them while stepping back and allowing them to grow into all they can be, with out you.. A casual check in makes a lot of difference.

Camp Cross is a special place, in part due to the history of what has been here but more importantly because of the life that is still in it. It is a safe place to learn and grow, a place where values are taught, judgements are not made and where we love enough to share with you a sense of hope, love, and wonder that you are Beloved. A safe place, a place that grows leaders. The staff are and have been caring commited people who in the process of learning and growing give so much of themselves to all of us, to have walked a part of this journey with them and all of you is a blessing for which I will be eternally thankful.

Please continue to be a support system for Camp Cross and Youth Ministries as they live into God’s New Creation.

Senior High Posting

As the Rev. Gretchen Rehberg and Paul Carlisle put the finishing touches on the Senior High program it is important to note that senior high will officially end one day earlier, Saturday, August 11th. We will continue to hold our closing service open to the community at 11:00 followed by our BBQ and slide presentation.

With incresaed demands on time and energy, more and more campers were having difficulty coming for that last weekend. Recent grads often have to head off to college and economic factors create hardships for those that are missing work to be with us. We feel this will be a positive move toward ever increasing quality of programing and community.

We ask that your prayers continue to be with all of us at Camp Cross as we prepare for an incredible season. Pray and continue to share the Camp Cross prayer for 2007, found on our home page.

Tara Polley to take job in Indiana

On May 28th, our administrative assistant, Tara Polley, will be stretching her wings as she flies to Waycross, Indiana to be the assistant camp director of Waycross summer programs. Waycross is another beautiful camp in the Episcopal Camps and Conference Center network. This is a wonderful opportunity for Tara and we wish her the very best in this adventure. When Tara returns in August she will be packing up and heading off to Boise State University to finish up her BA. Tara we will miss you and thank you for all that you have given us at Camp Cross and in youth ministries. Have fun and remember…”Keep coming back!”

God’s Peace,

Evita