The Knightly News

Well, folks, it's been a fantastic summer. But as they say, all good (or even great) things must come to an end. On behalf of all the Camp Phillip staff, I would like to say thank you.

Thanks for reading. Thanks for supporting our ministry. Thanks for giving us the opportunity to get to know your camper this summer.

As the summer ends, let us remember to hold fast to everything we've learned and keep our lights shining for Christ. After all, we're not of the night.

We're knights of the day.



Theme Passage: 1 Thessalonians 5:8
"But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate and the hope of salvation as a helmet."

Today was about bug watching, not bug squashing.

During Creation Encounters the boys went on a search for as many unique and interesting insects as possible. But more than that, they got to learn about what makes these little creatures such an important part of God's creation.

Even if we're small, we can have an important role.
Isn't that fANTastic?!



Today's Passage: Ephesians 4:2
"Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."

It's the final first day of camp for the summer and we couldn't have asked for better weather. The counselors are ready to jam-pack every last ounce of energy into these next few days--and from the looks of it, the campers are ready to rival their enthusiasm!

Tetherball was a winning choice for many during the bit of free time between a delicious dinner and silly song period. The ball was flying, but we can't even wait to get things in full swing tomorrow!



Today's Passage: Luke 16:10
"Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much."

Camp Phillip is all about relaxation in creation, but sometimes nature won't keep the peace!

With ominous clouds overhead, post-feast plans changed a bit. Rather than having a medieval battle, everyone got to watch an adventure! The whole camp cozy-ed in for a princess feature presentation.

It didn't take quite as much energy as running around camp but was just as enjoyable. And at the end of an action-packed week like this one, no one seemed to mind the break!



Today's Passage: 1 John 4:19
"We love because he first loved us."

With all this humidity, the campers decided to help their counselors wash off any dirt they had accumulated...

Ok, so the staff wasn't really that dirty--it was all good clean fun in tonight's evening game. After tracking down all the counselors in the woods, the campers got to water them down. To top it all off, they were sent off the waterfront pier.

Sounds like a great way to cool down and clean up!



Today's Passage: Psalm 119:11
"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."

There’s been a new element at the Team Challenge Course this summer: today the girls cabins eagerly took on the task of scaling the “castle” walls as many times as they could within a predetermined time limit.

The bouldering wall fits perfectly with this year's theme and will last for many years to come. The girls were able to encourage one another, support each other by spotting, and work together to reach their desired goal. It may have been a challenge, but that only served as ammunition for the cheers of success!



Today’s Passage: John 14:6
"Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"

No, those aren't the animals hanging around camp this week. But they are some of the critters that we sing about in song period favorite "A Place in the Choir."

Just like the song says, it doesn't matter what our talents are; God has a role for each of us to play. Whether singing off-key or belting out the harmonies, everyone can have a blast praising our Heavenly Father during song period, just like the campers today.

It's something cool to think about--and even cooler when you get to jump around and shout while singing it!



Today's Passage: Deuteronomy 6:5
"Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength."

The campers this week seem to enjoy a good game of catch--but they LOVE one at the waterfront!

During today's swim session, the shallow end was the place to be as the frisbee was flying and the boys were jumping. It was a cool way to, well, stay cool in today's humidity!



Today's Passage: Isaiah 44:22
"I have swept away your offenses like a cloud, your sins like the morning mist. Return to me, for I have redeemed you."

Over the years, our staff have written a number of songs that have quickly become favorites - and now we're spreading the love!

Before the end of the summer, look for the official Camp Phillip songbook: your favorite camp melodies put into sheet music! A printed copy will be available in the store, with plans to have them available to download digitally in the near future.

It's just one more way we can help spread the joy beyond our campground and congregational day camps. Check out these children from from St. John's, Lannon, gearing up to sing "The Crocodile Song" at their Noah's Ark themed Vacation Bible School!



Today's Passage: Hebrews 13:6
"So we say with confidence,
"The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?""

Friday was a really exciting day here at the Camp Phillip kingdom - some of the campers went surfing.

Wait - surfing?! There isn't anyplace to surf at Camp! Last time I checked our good ol' Upper Whiteriver Millpond was a no wake zone, so forget about riding any substantial waves...

Instead, some campers went mattress surfing for outdoor sports on Friday. The basic concept for the game is this: participants lay on the ground next to each other while one person lays on a mattress. Then, everyone turns into a human conveyor belt, passing the mattress from person to person while the mattress surfer has to try and maintain balance on top! If you ever want to try out surfing but find yourself hundreds of miles away from the nearest ocean, give mattress surfing a try!



Today's passage:(John14:1-4)Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.

A carload of prisoners escaped and ran into the woods at camp tonight?! Relax. It was just the set-up for a favorite evening game known as Cell Block Seven.

Orange-clad staff members hid within a boundary area as campers set out to bring them back to the home base. It sounds simple, but when the staff are allowed to run, squirm, and hang onto trees, it gets a little more intense!

Both sides gave it their all but the campers won, recapturing more staff members than those that remained free. It was good, clean fun--except for the dirt on the counselors' shirts!



Today's Passage: Isaiah 53:5
"But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed."

Wearing their darkest gear and armed with flashlights, some of the castles this week eagerly took on an extra night option. With as much stealth as they could muster, campers played an after-campfire game that involved two groups along a camp path, with one group trying to merge into the other unnoticed.

Everyone really got into the game, but the group atmosphere kept it fun. It was definitely a memorable knight for all!



Today's Passage: John 1:5
"Walking in the light This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all."

For the second day in a row, campers were serenaded by some minstrels (otherwise known as the program staff) with a jingle about a giant inflatable whale nicknamed Shamu.

"Find Shamu. I miss him.
Find Shamu and kiss him.
Shamu's prob'ly hiding and he must be found!
He might be at the lake or in the campground."

Followed by a clue to his whereabouts, it's a race to see which castle will recover him first. Speeding off right after the song, Castle 8F returned to the dining hall this morning with Shamu held high over their heads.

Needless to say, we're having a whale of a time!



Today's Passage: Hebrews 13:2
"Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it."
Today's Password: See (Response: Aw!)

Camp was in full swing this morning as I walked around camp performing my knightly duties (not to be confused with nightly duties...)
In addition to our Son Shine camps, there are a number of specialties going on this week, including basketball, soccer, horseback, art, and new for this year, woodworking!

Today Pastor Tom's apprentices got an introduction to some woodworking basics and then got right to work making photo frames. But that's just the beginning...rumor has it they're gearing up to make a trebuchet (medieval catapult!)



Today's Passage: Isaiah 55:8
"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD."
Today's Password: Way (Response: Aw!)

Nevermind the heat--these campers are ready to roll! Or, at least, get the ball rolling...

Following a brief orientation about need-to-know camp info, a rousing game of Castle Kickball got underway. Everyone gave it their all, adding to the the fun and welcoming atmosphere as campers eased in to their week here.

I can't think of a better way to kick things off!



Today's Passage: 2 Timothy 1:14
"Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us."

"Bankshot" takes on a whole new meaning when used at Camp Phillip. It's not as easy to score a basket when the backboard curves and bends!

Our bankshot basketball court is just one example of the way that camp can make even everyday activities more exciting. All week long the campers have been growing and trying new things and that certainly didn't stop on the final full day. Castles 4, 7, and 3 tried out their "banking" skills during this morning's outdoor sports session.

It's been a spectacular week--and that makes all the campers winners!



Today's Passage: Colossians 3:17
And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
Today's Password: Thanks (Response: In action!)

The campers thought they were in for a usual campfire tonight when suddenly it was taken over by a cast of characters storming from the woods...and that wasn't the only excitement they brought!

Deciding to have a knightly party, the medieval crew became the fun-leaders for the evening. There was an abundance of hysterical theater games and songs with made-up verses, creating a highly entertaining and interactive evening for all.

Here's a glimpse of the group charging to the fire. Sure looks like a fun bunch to me!


Today’s Passage: 1 Peter 1:16
“for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
Today’s Password: Need (Response: To take off that poncho.)

To you today's photo may just look a stuffed animal on a bunch of strings, but to Castles 11 and 12, it was a princess caught in a spiderweb needing to be rescued!

This was an important element in the knight training that took place at the Team Challenge Course. There campers work on teamwork, problem solving, and encouragement with the help of the creativity and oversight of the challenge course staff.

Was the quest a success? Let's just say the girls passed their knight training with flying colors...



Today's Passage: John 10:11
"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep."

11,12

Most castles feast at a table, but Castle 6B is being a bit more creative this week. They've made it their goal to eat as many meals outside as possible!
(They aren't the only ones creating unique memories. While making my rounds I've also seen everything from patriotic color coordinating to talking in accents...)

Tonight for dinner 6B chose to have a picnic at the Crossroads, one of our gathering places at camp. Food, friends, and fresh air--sounds like a winning combination to me!



Today's Passage: Luke 19:10
"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost."
Today's Password: Lost and Found (Response: High five)

This week (and all summer long) campers are not only training to be knights—they are blacksmith apprentices too!

With the guidance of the craft leader, campers imprint medallions to create a necklace fit to match any armor. Castles 1, 3, 4, and 8B made use of their skills today. I saw words, pictures, and Bible passages stamped onto this craft to help them remember their week here.

Each one was unique and they all looked great. I’d say they each deserve a “metal!”



Today’s Passage: 1 Thessalonians 5:19
“Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil.”
Today’s Passwaord: Fire (Response: Burn, baby, burn!)

Every castle (which you may think looks a lot like a cabin) this week is filled to the brim with campers. More than that, the whole camp is teeming with energy and creativity!

Before campfires begin at Camp Phillip, a round of "Castle Cheers" serves as a roll call. The spectrum of cheers branches from long to short, story to song, choreography to new personas, common to random! Tonight's cheers were especially catchy, kicking off a week of new memories and friendships.

It sure sounds to me like these knights have already got their battle cries!



Today's Passage: Philippians 3:14
"I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

Then bring them to our 2nd annual Friend-raiser open house!

Try out a variety of our activity areas, dine on a delicious barbeque dinner and enjoy an evening praise concert.

On Saturday, August 21st, share everything you love about Camp Phillip with your friends and relatives.

All we ask is $5 per person for your family; anyone you bring who is new to Camp Phillip comes for free! Please RSVP by phone (920-787-3202) or e-mail (office@campphillip.com) before August 14th.

A complete schedule can be found on the website at www.campphillip.com

We can't wait to see you--and your friends!

Know a camper candidate? Well, we still have room for him or her in some of our upcoming camps! There are still openings for 6-8th grade campers in Sonshine 5/Specialty (August 1-7) and for 3-5 grade campers in Sonshine 6 (August 8-14).

We'd love the opportunity to share God's love with them while we train as knights of the day. Registration forms can be found online at www.campphillip.com.

Hello Knightly News readers! I've had a blast so far this summer updating you knightly on the day's events.

This week is Urban Explorers camp and while a few staff members are hanging around to help counsel and run programs, most--myself included--have opted to take a well deserved break. (Running at Outdoor Sports, dancing at song period, and canoeing around the lake can really take a lot out of you!)

Thus, while there won't be highlights of daily camp activities, throughout the week I will be posting information about upcoming Camp Phillip events.
Be sure to check back to stay up-to-date with current camp information, and I'll return with my usual posts on Sunday, July 25!

Ask your camper what their favorite part of the week was and it's quite likely he or she will exclaim, "Swimming!" The waterfront was a busy place today, beginning at 7 A.M. for the group that opted to swim across the lake (with extra lifeguards and rowboats alongside, of course.)

While safety at the lake is our number one priority, fun is a close second.
As the day got warmer, the waterfront got busier: even more campers, more boat rides, and more jumps off the raft. Sounds like the right ingredients for making a few more memories on the last day!



Today's Passage: Romans 10:10
"For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."

Today's theme had a little Halloween spirit--but only the dress-up and candy kind! The schedule included a costume themed breakfast and a ghost story evening game. To add to the fun, the counselors got to participate in a post-dinner trick or treat challenge. I have to admit, it was more a treat for the campers than anything!

Chocolate eggs? Try chocolate syrup and eggs poured on your head! Whipped cream pie...in the face! (Don't worry, the counselors had been forewarned.) It was a tricky play on words, but it sure was sweet!



Today's Passage: 1 Corinthians 2:13
"This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words."

Today's most exciting event wasn't quite planned. It came about in a flash! Our evening schedule was disrupted by an area tornado warning.

No worries here, though! Staff quickly jumped into action to get everyone to castle basements safe and sound. The warning lasted only half an hour, passing by quickly with counselor-led rainy, or should I say stormy, day games.

Once the watch was called off, campers were driven back to the dining hall to resume with song period and campfire as usual. It may have pushed the schedule back, but who doesn't like a free ride now and then?



Today's Passage: 2 Timothy 2:15
"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."

It was a perfect day to hit the fairways on the disc golf course. Or should I say to hit the baskets...

Every castle gets the opportunity to try their hand (literally) at disc golf during the week. This afternoon the girls of Castle Ten showed off their skills.

Counselors teach campers the basic rules and techniques of the game and after that the fun really gets flying. Sometimes the games are competitive and other times they're simply creative. I've seen castles incorporate acting into their games--portraying different occupations or even animals. I guess that makes two ways to get a birdie!



Today's Passage: Isaiah 61:10
"I delight greatly in the LORD;my soul rejoices in my God. For he has clothed me with garments of salvation and arrayed me in a robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom adorns his head like a priest, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels."
Today's Password: Clothes (Aw!)

If you saw a tent by a campfire, you would probably assume it was for sleeping in. But, as you saw yesterday, we have great cabins for that. Instead it was used as a tool for an extremely engaging nighttime devotion.

In addition to Bible studies, we have two devotions in our daily camp schedule: one called Password in the morning, and another one to close our campfires with in the evening. Did you know that every single one of them is original each day? Our staff strives to find ways to show campers how captivating God's Word can really be through skits, songs, stories, and more.

Tonight we reflected on our purpose as knights of the day. Living in a tent is meant to be temporary--kind of like our time here on earth!



Today's passage: 2 Corinthians 5:1
"Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.
Today's password: Camp (Response: Aw!)

As a camper, walking into a cabin (or castle, as they are called this summer) on opening day is kind of a special thing. You’re walking into a room of people with whom you will spend your entire week!

Today the castles wasted no time in getting the memories rolling. I saw more games going on in the dining hall and field than I can ever remember seeing at once!

As a cluster was untangling itself from a human knot, another group was testing their agility with a round of “Go Ninja,” while another yet castle showed their soccer skills. Castle One even came up with a new idea: human tic-tac-toe. Counselors Joe and Eli battled on the life-size board. The first round was a cat’s game, but the activity was fun for all!



Today’s Passage: 1 Samuel 17:45
“David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.’"

Excitement was building all day long. At breakfast, the king and queen of the land announced that there would be a battle in the near future. Every cabin was given a quest book containing the tasks they would be asked to complete that evening.

Knights Joe and Andrew led the teams in developing a strategy for their team. Who would be the winner? I knew it would be a close match--both teams had determination in their eyes!

I watched Knight Andrew's team complete and win the first quest, but Knight Joe and his crew wouldn't give up. The game concluded with a difficult quest to release a dragon from the king and queen. Knight Joe was able to claim that final quest as his, but when the score was tallied Knight Andrew's team had the victory.

Win or lose, it was a hard-fought and memorable battle for all. And with an ice cream snack to help cool off afterwards, you might even say it was sweet!



Today's Passage: Galatians 5:25
"Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit."
Today's Password: Blob (Response: Aw!)

Every day at camp has a full schedule--there has to be, or we wouldn't be able to fit all the ridiculously fun activities into one week!

Yet, that doesn't mean we don't understand the need for a little less structured fun, allowing campers a moment to relax and choose what they want to do. Whether it's soccer, swinging, or simply hanging out with cabinmates, times like snack or camper choice time can even produce some of the most fond bonding memories from the week!



Today's passage: Galatians 5:22-23
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

Every morning at camp begins with a devotion known as password. (Have you noticed the passwords underneath each day's passage? It's a code word used throughout the day to remind everyone of that day's verse!)

Today, though, we got to use our morning voices to praise our great God. Focusing on some of the knightly qualities the campers have talked about in this week's Bible studies, we joined together in song and prayer as a way to start our day focused on Him. Our theme song says it well:

"Wake up and stand tall,
and as the dawn will split the night
we too will fight to slay the darkness with the light.
We're not of the night--we're knights of the day!"



Today's Passage: Galatians 6:1
"Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted."

Campfire is often one of the most entertaining parts of a day at camp. With silly songs, hilarious games, and interesting characters, how could it not be?

Well, tonight campers got the opportunity to play a major role in the production. I'm happy to report to you the results of The Robotic Championship of the World!

Amidst singing and dancing to camp songs, cabins (or as we like to call them this summer, castles) were given ductape, cardboard, and various other supplies to create their own robots. These inventions were then put through a series of skill challenges, sparking creativity and much laughter.

Which castle came out on top? After a blow-out first round and close second round, the final showdown ended with a draw, resulting in a four-way tie. I guess it really is true--everyone wins at Camp Phillip!



Today's passage: Galatians 5:13
"You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love."
Today's password: Free

Camp is known for relaxation in creation...but that doesn't mean nature has to be quiet!

I heard shouts and giggles coming from the forest during today's Creation Encounters session. The girls cabins had been searching for bugs but instead found something a bit bigger--a slippery salamander!

Nyssa, the program leader and resident science whiz, took advantage of this opportunity to teach the campers about their unexpected new friend. When it comes to biology, she's a natural!



Today's passage: Galatians 3:13
"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree."
Today's password: Hang. (Response: Aw!)

A few clouds in the sky? That wasn't about to ruin opening day for this batch of Sonshine campers! While there may only be 32 of them, they have enough enthusiasm to rival a group double their size. (Their volume during song period had my ears ringing in my helmet!)

We managed to organize ourselves into a cross for the all-camp photo, but that didn't come without its own eventual dose of silliness--looks like we've got a fun week ahead!



Today's passage: Galatians 3:26
"You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,"

We've been training all week to be knights of the day and tonight the campers mustered together all their medieval spirit. I shined my armor and headed off to the royal dinner full of anticipation.

The dining hall transformed into a great hall, making it a grand affair. The campers enjoyed a delicious feast from a banquet table. Chicken, corn, homemade bread, potatoes and more. My mouth is watering again just thinking about it!

Followed by an exciting game of Shadows Over Camp, it was the perfect way to kick-off the last knight of camp!





Today's passage: Hosea 10:12
"Sow for yourselves righteousness, reap the fruit of unfailing love, and break up your unplowed ground; for it is time to seek the LORD until he comes and showers righteousness on you."
Today's password: So/sew (Response: Righteousness)

How did it get to be Thursday already? Time really does fly when you're having fun. And how could fun not be had when competing in evening games, laughing at campfires, bonding with cabinmates, and, for some, learning new skills!

This week eight cabins spent two hours of their day doing a unique activity. Campers did activities from horseback riding to music and drama, kayaking and adventuring to simply being awesome (that's right--awesome hour specialty!)

With so much to do, the campers definitely kept moving all week long. At least we got the kayak girls to stop paddling long enough to catch this photo:



Today's passage: Psalm 71:5
"For you have been my hope, O Sovereign LORD, my confidence since my youth."
Today's password: Sure (Response: Aw!)

Not everyone can say they've walked across a cable 35 feet in the air. Well, this week's campers can!

With the help of safety harnesses and well-trained staff members, campers challenge themselves mentally and physically on our high ropes course. From incline logs to telephone poles, steel cables to swings, the course is designed to encourage the campers to try their hardest to reach their personal goals.

While campers work individually, they rely on each other for encouragement--and spotting help, of course!

Today's blue sky was a perfect backdrop for the girl's cabins that spent the afternoon with their heads in the clouds!



Today's passage: 1 Corinthians 11:32
"When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world."

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Why not make it the most fun too?

This morning campers and staff got creative for a Barnyard Breakfast. From silly skits and creative jingles to clever costumes, everyone got into the country spirit. Even the prayer was to the tune of Old McDonald had a Farm! (Did you know that we sing our meal prayers here at Camp Phillip?)

It usually takes me a bit to wake myself up from last knight's sleep, but this theme sure got me moo-ving!



Today's passage: Psalm 55:17
"Evening, morning, and noon I cry out in distress and He hears my voice."
Password: Help (Response: Telephone hand sign)

Original songs? Check. Crazy dance motions? Check. Accordion? Check.
Sounds like the ingredients for a Camp Phillip song period to me!

The campers this week certainly don’t hold back when it comes to singing out. Tonight’s song period was a lively one, with favorites like The Crocodile Song (the story of Noah’s ark), Pharaoh Pharaoh (Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt), and Raisin’ and Praisin’.

Ok, so the song isn’t actually about the food. It actually talks about raising our praises to God—which is exactly what song period is all about!

Still, that doesn’t mean we can’t squish our faces together like raisins if we want to…



Today’s passage: John 4:14
“But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
Today’s password: Really (Amazing!)

There was more than just humidity in the air as campers arrived for this summer's first full week of camp: excitement abounded!

I was sweating in my armor, but that didn't seem to phase this energetic group of 6-8th graders. From a rousing game of "castle kickball" to a boisterous song period, everyone seemed to being jumping right in to the fun-filled week ahead.

While heading out to opening campfire, a beautiful rainbow crossed the sky. What a wonderful reminder of God's amazing promises--and a great way to kick off a week of new friendships and lasting memories!



Today's passage: Exodus 14:14
"The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still."

If you ask me why I love Camp Phillip, fun would definitely be included on my (very long) list of reasons. I think most campers here would agree.

Yet, the high ropes course, swim raft, and crazy toys like zoogles aren’t always what make this place so action-packed. Sometimes all you need is a bucket of water and a creative staff member.

Today at outdoor sports campers beat the heat by playing an entertaining game of “Drip, Drip, Drench” (think “Duck, Duck, Goose” with splashes of water.) It’s a classic camper favorite, along with games like Screaming Yellow Zonkers, Alaskan Baseball, and even shoe-fling competitions.

So did the campers have fun? I think this cool photo captured by one of our photographers speaks for itself:



Today’s passage: Titus 3:7
“…so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
Password: Deserve (Response: Aww!)

While I personally prefer a goodhearted joust, the archery range was the place to be at camp today.

Campers were able to test their aim as they shot not just at plain targets, but at ones with drawings of monsters attached! Little “extras” make activities more meaningful in more ways than one: added excitement and increased opportunities for spiritual application.

So what if someone missed the target—what a great opportunity to talk about ways we can stay on track with God’s commands in our own lives. That certainly sounds like a good aim to me!



Today’s passage: Luke 11:28
“He said, ‘Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it.’ “
Today’s password: Word. (Response: Listen up!)

Opening days are always exciting…especially when they happen on a Wednesday!

Today had a little more thrill than usual as the newest addition to our fleet of ships, the OSS (Our Savior’s Service) Marigold, was revealed during waterfront orientation.

While every opening day includes an introduction to the rules down at the lake, this particular group of Sonrise campers got to see the new water kayak off on her maiden voyage. In addition to canoes and rowboats, campers will get the opportunity to sail away on the OSS Marigold with the assistance of their counselors.

I’d give it a spin (or should I say stroke) myself, but my armor rusts so easily!



Today’s passage: Proverbs 21:21
“He who follows righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness, and honor.”

"But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet." (1 Thessalonians 5:8)

Summer camp is underway and already I love it. (This year's theme meshes quite well with my occupation. I am a knight, after all...)

As thrilled as I am to be here, I can tell the summer staff are even more excited to have the opportunity to share God's amazing love with the hundreds of campers who will be here this summer.

Each day I'll give you an insider's look at the awesome things going on at Camp Phillip this summer. Feel free to share this link with family and friends!

Thanks for checking in!