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."