Assignment #13

Three things about myself and why I am the way I am?  How do I relate to people opposite from me?

        I tend to look for the bad in things that I do except the positive.  When I was being raised there was a  lot of animosity around and people were not very optimistic.  there fore I picked up this habit. 
        For people who are optimistic I don't think I have problems with them, I actually wish I could be more like them.  I also feel the for people who are more optimistic then have a greater relationship with the Lord and trust him more.  I find myself having to remind myself to hand things over to the Lord.


       I find it easy to kick people out of my life because I cant forgive easily.  Forgiveness is one of my greatest challenges I face everyday.  When people upset me I get so full of anger that I just want to leave.  This also come with how I was raised.  Someone near and dear to my heart holds on to things that happened over twenty years ago and even through they cant change it they still go on and on about it.  My family has also kicked other members out of for a period of time because they didn't like the choices they made and I believe those were justified both times because people cheated on their wives and husbands and had children involved.  This defiantly come from both sides of the family. 
        I want to work on this and when I see people get wronged and then not care just shocks me but I find myself mad with a person who hadn't even wronged me.  I envy people who can forgive.  


       I am very good with seeing something that needs to be done and getting it done without being told.  I was raised on  a farm and we raised animals from young ages so we had responsibilities  every day.  I am so happy I was raised this way because I see people who have to be told when to do something and it is just very frustrating.  Being a farm kid makes me very proud because I think people think I may know what I'm doing more of the time then others.  I tend to grasp ideas faster because to me its just logical. 
       When dealing with people who are opposite of me in this aspect is one of the most frustrating to me to deal with.  Quite honestly I dont know how to work with them without becoming upset so I can't answer this one. 

I hope you enjoyed my thoughts.  

Assignment #12

Myself and the other Launch students will be attending Twin Lake Bible Camp Tuesday and we are to ask the director questions.  Here are the questions I would like to be answered.  And I hope to put the answers up so people know what the responses were.  

 

When looking at Twin Lake Bible Camp what would I like to know?

What changes have you seen in your attendance in the last five years for summer camp?   Due to the economy have you seen increases, decreases or staying about the same?  

What have you seen as your biggest challenge in getting young people interested in getting away from worldly distractions?  Todays kids are so into technology that it is tough to get them into a different setting that takes them away from their norm.  For Twin Lakes I would really like to know if they embrace this or if they try keeping it out as much as possible. 

What is the next step in growing your camp?  All camps want to continue in growth whether it’s in raising funds, building new buildings, or buying new equipment.  

Do you like your camp location or would you prefer it to be more secluded?     The camp located next to North Twin Lake along with 300 other homes.    I would really like to know if this location hurts the camp in anyway. 

Assignment #11

How do I relate cross culturally on a local, national, and international basic?

Wow what a question right?  People are connected in a variety of different ways; living situations, sexual orientation, religion, race, sex, area of the world, or even area of town.    

On a local level I think I can relate to a lot of different backgrounds.  There are a lot of things I have gone through in my 22 years that others also went through.  It is most easy to reach the people in your local area just by taking the time to do so.  But the first step is to try and go outside your comfort zone.  

Nationally it gets a bit difficult because most people can’t travel and visit with people and get to know them.  However, Facebook makes this task doable.  Americans as a whole have a lot of similarities as well and if we just took the time to find them friends would be all over the U.S. 

Internationally the similarities are less because they way we live are different.  I would personally love to travel all over the world and just meet people and learn about their lives.  I think that I am very arrogant to their lifestyles though so it would be a great learning experience. 

I’m not sure how well I answered this question but I hope you enjoyed my thoughts. 

Assignment #10

Identify a trend in Christian Camping and explain if it would be a good addition to Hidden Acres or not.

There are a lot of different trends that are out there some good and some bad.  The first thing that comes to my mind is ATVs.  I have two older brothers who love to ride their 4 wheelers all over and I haven't seen a lot of their age group out at the camp and really focus on them.  I feel that the age 20-30 tends to get overlooked and this is a age that loves to ride ATVs from my experience.  Hidden Acres has trails and they would be great for ATVs. 

A downside to this idea is that the camp roads and trails could get destroyed but if we could bring even one person to the Lord I think that a little road and trail damage is worth it.  I don't think that the camp should be open at all times for anyone to just bring out their ATV but make a weekend of it.  If we had a retreat for this group we would obviously not allow any other groups to be out here that same time due to the fact that ATVs make noise and most people find that annoying. 

I truly believe that if people see that we care about their interests enough for them to bring out their ATVs I think that would open up a whole new aspect of the camp.  Also we could have one retreat during the fall or spring then another in the winter for snowmobiles. 
This is what I would love to see at Hidden Acres.  I hope you enjoyed my thoughts. 

Assignment #9

An International Camp apart of the CCI.


The camp I got information about was in Australia.  Ankara Youth Camp is situated on the banks of the mighty River Murray, some 110 kilometers from Adelaide. The camp site with its comfortable facilities, is ideal for a family weekend, group holiday, or maybe a youth convention! Whichever way you look at it, and whatever your age may be, Ankara is a great place to spend a few days!  The area the camp is located in is noted for abundant bird life, rugged limestone cliffs, fishing and marine life, water skiing, canoeing, windsurfing, and sailing.  
Ankara Youth Camp is situated on the banks of the mighty River Murray at Walker Flat, some 110 kilometers north-east of Adelaide.
Their accomidations include: separate male & female bunk house. Each with 6 rooms having 4 double bunks with foam mattresses.  For leaders cabins there is also separate male and female areas with 4 in each room, accommodating 11 people.  Mattresses supplied



Ankara Youth Camp has self-catering facilities. A large dining room adjoins the kitchen and self-serve slide. And if you like the occasional barbeque, there's an undercover BBQ facility between the kitchen washroom and the activity hall. 
The kitchen and dining hall includes:
tables & chairs for 100 people, walk in cool room & a large chest freezer, 2 commercial gas ovens & a microwave, commercial cook top, adequate cooking pots, cooking utensils, plates, cutlery & cups, industrial toaster & 2 urns (large & small), hot & cold water as well as filtered rain water, and industrial dishwasher. 


If you plan to use the indoors, there is a large hall which can be used for indoor games or as a theater - great for evening concerts. The real action is outdoors, with a selection of great activities including canoeing, windsurfing, water-skiing, diving and swimming. A sandy beach is available for those who like to swim and play in the water or just sit in the shade. The spacious grassy areas are ideal for team sports. Some equipment for activities is provided.  


There was not a whole lot of information on this camp but this is what I could find.  
I hope you enjoyed this information. 

Assignment #8

Separation v.s. Accommodation in a camp ministry
When looking at a camp ministry and incorporating separation or accommodation I believe that there is a big difference.  With separation your camp would be rustic and very basic.  This would also cut out all of the worldly distractions; for some people this would be a good thing. People also like this type of camp because it is perfect for seclusion they would not experience in their normal day.  
I think that in todays society  people are looking to get away to a camp but not to be completely cut off from the outside world.  Hidden Acres is more this because we do have t.v. with cable, wireless internet, a inn, indoor swim pool, and indoor gym.  These accommodations keep guests happy.  It is also nice for guests that we have so many options because when it is nice out they can go to the pond or mini golf but if it is raining they have the options of playing in the FLC swimming, playing games, or playing in the gym.  If you still want seclusion you have the opportunity to go off by yourself and find a calming spot to spend time with the Lord.  
Overall neither one of these options are bad its just what a person prefers.  I personally would go to a modern camp before I would go to a rustic camp.  I hope you enjoyed my thoughts.  

Assignment #7

How do I see God through nature?
      I spent the last two days at Backbone State Park and the park truly came alive.  Going when the leaves are changing and falling to the earths ground was so calming.  I also enjoyed the fact that the camp sites were almost empty so I could hear the wind blowing through the trees and as the leaves came down it sounded like rain.  Everywhere I looked I saw the Lords handy work and it was extraordinary.  While on a hike I felt loved just by looking and listening to all my surroundings.  I know that the Lord loves us because of the beauty I got to see that day.  More times then none I take for granted the sun raising in the morning and setting at night.  I lose sight of the love the Lord has for all of use and because of that love he made a glorious landscape for us to see and experience.  Today people are so obsessed with themselves and technology they have pushed the Lord so far away that they don't even remember him. 
     By taking this time out of my normal routine I saw the love that the Lord has and always will have for us.  The Lord made the seasons and they are all beautiful; new plants grow and old ones die but there is a never ending cycle.  He is so amazing and I just pray that my relationship with him can grow more and more everyday.  That is my answer to the question.  I hope you enjoyed my thoughts.