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,"