The one who asked me the question is here this week working with the senior high group. On Tuesdays she does this Top Ten list on her blog and so I thought well, why not ask her to put into words why summer camp is so awesome. She did and here it is.
Top Ten Reasons to Love Lakeview
10. Being a counselor.
There is something so rewarding about coming back to a place that has
given you so many memories and being able to give the same to the next
generation. Coming back to Lakeview as a counselor is TONS better than coming
as a camper...which possibly has something to do with being able to ride in the
golfcart to dinner.
9. The Games. Oh My! GaGa Ball, Steal the Bacon, 300 Yard
Color Bomb Launcher, Inflatable Obstacle Course Competitions...and the lists
goes on, but I'd hate to worry any parents.
8. Scorpions. Yes, an unusual item to appear on the
week's list, but it seems that Lakeview has found a way to profit from the
nasty little suckers. You'll find in the
gift shop that the Scorpion has become somewhat of an unofficial mascot for
camp. They have t-shirts with the arachnid screen printed on them and you can
buy a sucker with a scorpion IN IT. How many licks would it take me to get to
the center of that?...umm...none thank you.
7. Everybody is somebody at Lakeview. Who knew that 365
days can pass and it only takes around 2 hours for friendships to be reunited,
new friends to find their place in the group, and counselors to step into the
lenient-yet-make-sure-you-don't-die at camp kind of parental roll.
6. Food. My BFF Cassie says that her son, Taylor looks
forward to camp because he knows the food will be so good all week. Her hubby
Chris claims that says a lot about her cooking, but I'm objecting to that. I
think it really is the food here! I think...
5. Peace of Ice. Yes. I realize I sometimes walk the line
drawn between appropriate and definitely not-so-appropriate, but the name of
the snow cone stand is, "Peace of Ice". The snow cones are
delightful.
4. The Fellowship. There is something about spending the
night with old friends and new friends that can bring relationships to a whole
new level. The senses seem to heighten the experience when you go to bed at
midnight and rise before 7am without a Keurig. Who would have ever thought she
moves her foot like that for the last 10 minutes of the day to put herself to
sleep...hypothetically?
3. Wet Willie. I personally haven't experienced this
Lakeview phenomenon, but I hear the kids love it. It is a classic summer camp
kind of activity. Huge slide into shark infested waters...kidding...I'm sure
it's safe, but you won't find me swimming in that lake.
2. Location. The grounds here at Lakeview are incredible. I live in the country on lots and lots of acreage, so for me to say the place is incredible says a lot. This camp is set apart for numerous churches and other organizations and individuals. The things God has done and is still doing here at Lakeview can never be counted or even estimated. He has worked here since 1947 and is still using the grounds for building his kingdom. Also, I' d like to commend all the churches who send vans, drivers, counselors and campers from hundreds of miles away. On the drive over here every year I give thanks to Him for choosing this land so close to our hometown to plant this sacred place. It's practically in our own backyard.
1. Worship. I can't say enough about it. I don't think I
can articulate the work of the holy spirit in each worship service during our
week here. There is something breathtaking about standing in a room full of
kids praising our creator with hands raised and voices turned up. You will find it multiple times a day in
every age group. We have lights, drums,
guitars, awesome worship leaders and songs whose lyrics help us pour out our
love for Christ through music. That's what we are here for...to meet God...in
the woods...at camp...FROM THIS SIDE OF THIRTY.
As you can tell she turned thirty this year and I have been blessed to watch that teen girl grow in her relationship with God and others. I look at the youngsters we brought this week and smile at the possibilities of who they are...who they will become. I believe something special happens here that lasts a lifetime...even beyond a lifetime.
You can find Lacy blogging at From this Side of Thirty
