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!)