The People to Thank...

These are the people who made everything you enjoyed happen. Please thank them when you see them.

• The Tree Houe Gang (Anna Grabow, Chris Purdue, Riley Shank, Natalie Somerville, David Porter, Kristin Emelio)
• The Band – Lead by Mitch Paredes (Jared Hoffman, Steve Byers, Jessie Cunningham, Ryan Kelley)
• BGV’s (a.k.a. - Putrid Pitstop Gang) Anna Somerville, Becky Barker, Sean Branchaw, Josie Bowers, Amanda Spiro, Kevin Mori.
• Puppets – Squeever (Amy Grabow) and Archie (Brittany Kauflin)
• Teachers – Mr. Lee, Mr. G Man, Mr. Maka, and Mr. Somerville.
• TECH Team - Andrew Cowan, Jared Ray, Phil Cowan, Danilo Tagle, Laanne Tagle, Lorena Tagle.
• Josh Tucker - Security
• Josh Cooley - Refs
• Patti Goodling – Drama Director
• Ben Newman – Producer
• Ashley Taylor – Admin
• Lauren Barnes – Admin
• D..J. Ryan - Admin
• Hannah Crosby – Admin
• Hannah Moore – Balloons
• Kate Price - Photography
• Lydia Hartnet - Photography
• Tracy Branchaw - Admin
• Nick Malcolm – Videos and Slideshow
• Chris Porter – Graphic Design
• Douglas Dougelberry (a.k.a Brett Layman) - Host
• Mrs. B (a.k.a - Janelle Bradshaw) - Host
• Brielle Nelson – Camp Administrator

And thanks to all those youth who served in various roles at the camp. You all make this thing possible through your example!

It's Over...

But we'll do it again next year.

Some of you have asked about the songs we sang this year. Most titles are by Phil Joel off the "Deliberate Kids" album.


Here is the set list from this past week:
Monday, June 23rd
SONGS: Your Love, The Love Song, Thank You, One Way Jesus, The Love Song

Tuesday, June 24th
SONGS: No One Like You, Boom, Do Not Fear, The Love Song, Know You Better, Jesus Came to Earth

Wednesday, June 25th
SONGS: Boom, The Love Song, Do Not Fear, Know You Better, Thank You, Jesus Came to Earth

Thursday, June 26th
SONGS: Know You Better, No One Like You, The Love Song, When I Obey, Have You Heard?

Friday, June 27th
SONGS: The Love Song, One Way Jesus, Jesus Came to Earth, Boom

The Last Day...

It's Friday, the last day of SC'08. Bitter-sweet. I will definately miss the nearly 500 kids learning about the Savior. I will miss our 7am volunteer meetings and waking up in the middle of the night to go to the church to get ready for the morning. I'm going to miss the smiles on the kids faces and the volunteers who selflessly give their time and energy away. I'm going to miss the phone calls and emails from parents about how their child is applying what they've learned at the camp. I'm going to miss the times of singing.

I'm looking forward to a good night of sleep and being with my family. Most of all, I'm looking forward to seeing and hearing about all the good fruit that comes from God at work in SC'08. We planted alot of seed this week. Moms and dads are watering. God brings the growth. Pray to that end.

There's still one day left with some very exciting elements. Pray that Mr. Somerville can make it to the top!!!! Enjoy!
Mr. B

PICS...

More Pics

Thanks to Corey Furman we have some great pics to look at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cfurm

It's here and I'm loving it!!!

This morning is the start of day 3! God has been so good to us in allowing the kids to learn about Love and Contentment the first 2 days.

Some highlights for me thus far have been the times of singing (Boom and the Love song in particular) as well as watching the kids apply what they've learned when they are playing the games and going home. One little girl woke up at 1:00AM to clean the house as a way to express love to her mom. Her mom sent her to bed but I love the fact that this little girl was thinking about ways to serve and love her family in the middle of the night, long after she had been put to bed.

May God continue to bless the remaining days!

Kate Price has posted some great pics from the camp here http://beautifulinheritance.blogspot.com/2008/06/summer-celebration-day-1.html

I'll try to post some updates throughout the week and the week following the camp!

SHINE!

2 Days and Counting...

This time tomorrow night we will be running our dress rehearsal. I'm so looking forward to getting started (and playing body ball, korf ball and squirt.

Volunteers, this is a reminder to come to our meeting tomorrow at 1:30 in the Events Center. Please wait until the 2nd-5th grade class has had sufficient time to clear out. Until then, patiently wait in the south lobby. Finial instructions will be given. You will also receive your SC t-shirt. Plan on ending at 3:00 for those of you who need rides home. And remember that a pizza and soda lunch will be provided.

By the way, 432 kids have signed up for our camp (the most we've ever had). We are still accepting walk in sign-up so there is still time if you know of a 6-10 year old who would like to attend.

I'm starting to think in minutes now....Whooohoooooo!!!!

3 days and counting.........................................

At this point we can start talking in hours, no longer days.

Yesterday Sophie Dreier, Hannah Moore, Jen Weber, Ashley Taylor and (of course) Brielle Nelson assembled the packets for all of our campers. This included the wristbands and t-shirts. Let me just say how grateful I am that these awesome volunteers gave of their whole day to serve you all. This is the kind of serving behind the scenes that makes everything you see possible come Monday. If you run into these ladies, please thank them for their extraordinary service.

Well Done!

4 days and counting...

This year's camp notebook is below.


Looking forward to the campers taking notes and writing about each day in it!!!

Only 4 more days...WHHHOOOHHOOOOO!!!!

5 days and counting...

Wow! Only 5 days left.

Are you wondering about the songs? How are the hand motions coming? Don't get discouraged if you are having a hard time learning them. We will help you at the camp.

Below is the set list for the week along with each day's theme.
Monday, June 23rd
Love “Choosing to give someone your time and attention no matter what.”
SONGS: Your Love, The Love Song, Thank You, One Way Jesus, The Love Song

Matthew 22:37–39 – And he said to him, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Tuesday, June 24th
Contentment “Choosing to be happy with what you have.”
SONGS: No One Like You, Boom, The Love Song, Know You Better, Jesus Came to Earth

I Timothy 6:6-7 – Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.

Wednesday, June 25th
Forgiveness “Deciding that someone who has wronged you doesn’t have to pay.”
SONGS: Boom, The Love Song, Know You Better, Thank You, One Way Jesus

Colossians 3:13 – Bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.

Thursday, June 26th
Honor “Showing others how valuable they are by your actions.”
SONGS: Know You Better, No One Like You, The Love Song, When I Obey, Have You Heard?

Matthew 7:12 - So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Friday, June 27th
Perseverance “Deciding to finish what you started even when it's hard.”
SONGS: One Way Jesus, When I Obey, Boom, The Love Song

Hebrews 12:1-2 – Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

6 days and counting...

It's about time for a weather update. I checked the 10 day forecast and it appears we will have great weather for our outdoor games and activities Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday. A hot one, as temps will be in the upper 80's all week!!! There is a chance for scatter T-Storms Thursday. Pray that the rain will hold off for our activities.

For those of you with fair skin, the U.V. ray index is going to be in the 8-10 category so bring that sunscreen.

6 days left my friends!!!

9 days and counting...

We are in the single digits folks.

You may have noticed the addition to our sign in front of the church. We added the following part:


It's not too late to invite someone to sign up. Space is still available.

Please keep praying for us over here at Summer Celebration Central and for all the kids attending this year. Thanks!

I'm really looking forward to seeing you all next week as we learn together how to grow in

Love
Contentment
Forgiveness
Honor
and
Perseverance!

12 Days and Counting...

Chris Porter has done it again by developing some great signs to greet us on our way in each morning. Here are just a few....



Only 12 days away! See you then!!!!!

13 Days and Counting...

Matthew 5:14-16...

16 Days and Counting...

Thank you for praying for our THG video shoot. Everything went well (the rain held off) and we got all 6 videos for the camp. Between shots we were able to laugh, get Slurpees, and have a water fight. We captured some footage of the THG between shots for your enjoyment.

GO THG!!!

18 days and counting...(UPDATES)

Friends, we are in the teens now. Before you know it we will be dancing and screaming and laughing and playing a bunch of great games!

(I think Bodyball is going to be everyone's new favorite). Thanks for voting. By the way, there's still a few hours left to get your vote in.

The THG is taking some time today (weather permitting) to film the videos for the camp. These are always a useful tool in learning the character traits each day (and often funny). Pray for us as we need the rain to hold off. Thanks!

And, the best news, Mrs. B (my wife) will be joining Douglas Dougalberry and me on stage this year to help us learn what it means to "SHINE". Mrs. B is AMAZING!!! I'm excited for you all to get to know and benefit from her.

Wow!

One last thing...

Volunteers, let's commit to pray for the 400+ children attending the camp. Think in the following three categories in your prayers:

1. Saving Faith for every kid.

2. Advancement of Sanctification in the lives of those saved.

3. Godly fruit at home and not just at the camp.

Thank you everyone. As we pray we have a Father in heaven who is able to do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine. That is what I am expecting to see in a couple of weeks, God's amazing work in the lives of these kids!

SHINE!

24 days and counting...

simply...."BOOM!"



See you in 23 short ones...

25 days and counting...

Friends,

I just got word that the Tree House Gang (THG) is preparing for a big bike race this year. Over the course of preparing for and competing in the race they learn more about our character traits (Love, Honor, Contentment, Perseverance, and Forgiveness). There will even be a ramp on stage this year.

What kind of bike do you own? The picture above is like the one I had when I was a kiddo.

29 days and counting...

Friends, we are officially in the 20's now (29 days left). The first day of camp will be here before you know it.

This year we have a new give-a-way. It's a special water bottle (green) with the camp logo on it. It will come in handy for all the hot days were we will need a nice cold drink.

More give-aways will be announced in the next couple of weeks.

I wish tomorrow was the first day of SC!

In the meantime, enjoy the weather, enjoy Memorial Day, (most of all) enjoy the LORD!

29 days and it will start!!!

31 days and counting...

Enjoy the hand motions for another SC'08 song, entitled "When I Obey".

32 days and counting...

Chris Porter has done it again! Here are the wonderful screen designs that he created for the camp. Check 'em out!





Only 32 days, a handful of hours, a few minutes and a couple of seconds. This last month will go by very quickly!

33 days and counting

Introducing the hand motions to, "Know You Better". Since December we've been singing this song expressing our desire to know more of God through his word. It's one of my favorites. Enjoy learning the hand motions!

We're only 33 days away!!!

36 days and counting...

We've been having a blast singing "One Way Jesus" in Discovery Land these past two weeks.

It's a song that teaches us the truth found in John 14:6, which says:

"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me'."

At Summer Celebration we will learn much more than just a few character traits. We will talk about the times we fail to demonstrate these character traits and what that reveals about us. In short, it reveals that we're sinners in need of a Savior. We will talk about our need for Jesus and how the only way to be forgiven of our sins is through repentance and faith in JESUS the "ONE WAY".

Enjoy the video of the Hillsong Kids singing this wonderful song.

37 days and counting...

The first day of Summer Celebration we will focus on the topic of Love.

Matthew 22:37–39 says, "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

I'm excited that we have a great song to help us learn through singing. The song is entited, "The Love Song" by Phil Joel. Thanks to Rakel and Kristen Boisvert you can get a jump start on learning the song and hand motions by viewing the video below. Enjoy!

38 days and counting...

The Kid's Tees are in...

Check 'em out!

Go Galatians!

Go Ephesians!

Go Philippians!

Go Colossians!

38 short summer days away. Look for the first hand motion video tomorrow!

39 days and counting...

The t-shirt design has been finalized!!!

Thanks to Chris Porter, we have modified the original t-shirt design and included some fun elements below the "SC". The volunteer model is shown below. By popular demand (last week's poll) you chose to go with a gray shirt. The camper model will be on the appropriate team color shirt with all white print (except for the SHINE and arrow on the back which will be yellow).

39 days and counting....

Volunteer Assignments (revised, the 2nd time)

Volunteers, the waiting is over. We were able to place you into positions for the camp.



The following letter was sent today:

Dear Volunteer,

So you’re a Summer Celebration 2008 Volunteer. What now?

First of all, a huge “thank you” is in order. You’ll hear this a lot over the week of the camp. I will not tire of thanking you for making this camp such a God glorifying highlight for these kids and their parents.

“Now what?”….Well, I’m glad you asked. Check out the important information below.

Question: When is our next volunteer meeting?
Answer: Sunday, June 22nd, 1:30-3:00PM in the Events Center. (Pizza and soda will be provided for lunch, and t-shirts will be handed out) This meeting is very important. Please be there.

Question: What are my volunteer hours during the week of the camp?
Answer: 7:00 AM to 1:00 PM, June 23rd – 27th.
*Please contact us if you are unable to be at each day of the camp.

Question: What volunteer position was I assigned?
Answer: Please look at the attached Assignment Sheet to locate your name, position, and team. Please note that this information is subject to change. We’re informing you of your position so that you can be as prepared as possible to serve. Please be ready, however, to find yourself in a different position if the roster changes. We’ll try to avoid this as much as possible, but we’re going to need to count on you to be flexible.

Question: What happens if I fail to do my job during the week of the camp?
Answer: We reserve the right to send you home if you are unable to fulfill your responsibilities which include modeling godly character and fulfilling your assigned role 100%. There have been times where we’ve needed to send volunteers home for their failure to meet these expectations. Parents, please note this and prepare your teen for this context.

Question: Do I need to fill anything out before I serve?
Answer: At our last meeting, we gave out the Volunteer Application forms for the 2007-2008 serving year. You must have this form turned in before the camp if you wish to serve. Many of you have already completed one of these forms as a Discovery Land Volunteer. If you’ve done that, you’re all set. However, if you haven’t turned in a form, please do so immediately. If you’d like us to send you a copy, please email Brielle at bnelson@covlife.org.

We have approximately 40 days to go! Share in the countdown by visiting http://summercelebration2008.blogspot.com/. I can’t wait to see you all and share this fun experience together! We simply could not do it with out your participation!

So Grateful for You!
Mike Bradshaw (Mr. B)

40 days and counting...

The games have been set for this year's camp!

Korfball: A basketball game played on hoops without backboards. Instead of dribbling the ball on the grass, you'll catch the ball and freeze. You are only free to move once you've passed the ball off to a teammate. For extra craziness, we'll add multiple balls (and a bonus ball). Check out a picture of the hoops.
Dodge Ball: you all know this one. It's a camp favorite. We'll introduce some new rules this year to make it even more exciting!
Squirt: Yes, it's back! This variation on volleyball played with a sponge like ball introduces a refreshing "squirt" with each catch.

Body Ball: A Summer Celebration first. Just picture a soccer game with an 8' tall beach ball. You must push this enormous ball through the goal for a point. You can use your entire body. To make this even more interesting. We'll introduce up to 3 balls to be played at the same time.

One the last day we'll have our annual camp races to test perseverance. Remember to come with shoes and clothes that will allow you to play these wonderful games with your team.

Go Galatians! Go Ephesians! Go Philippians! Go Colossians!

46 Days and Counting...

If you don't have a car you can sport the magnet on your bike like the Webers did. Thanks to Morgan, Kendal and Madilyn.

It appears that they also created the Summer Celebration-mobile

Wow! Where'd their plates go?

46 days and counting...We are on pace to fill all 500 camp slots. Thanks for signing up!