Thirteen years later, we hold very dear the traditions, the
predictability of the schedule, worship songs, repeated cheers, and most
importantly, the relationships of family camp. But that first year, nothing was
predictable. We had never experienced anything like it as a family.
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| 2013 |
It was new
for all of us, and I think that is one reason Pine Cove became an annual event
for us. It was one of the few things that ALL of us experienced for the FIRST
time TOGETHER. And it was amazing and fun and life-giving and faith-building.
It was an opportunity to experience something like church camp, the place where
I learned that God is so much fun, with my family.
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| First family photo at camp 2013 |
Breakdown of a week at Family Camp
The Monday of camp was when our kids got to be with their
counselors (aka the hyped up college students that were surrounding our van
upon arrival) doing all kinds of fun things throughout the day, including the
most important, strongest part of the day, BIBLE STUDY!
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| 2017 |
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| 2022 |
Moms and dads headed to
Speaker Session, woop woop, Speaker Session. If any readers have been to family
camp they will catch all of the references to cheers. You just can’t help it if
you have been there! What I loved about the first day at Speaker Session was
that it was a time we got to know other parents at camp on a deeper level
through an activity called High-Low. For parents that had been to camp before,
it was a chance for us to hear an abbreviated update of their year with the
best and worst thing vulnerably shared. With new parents, I was always amazed
at their courage to jump right in and entrust their high and low of the year
with brand new friends.
My kids started connecting quickly with their counselors and
new friends that first year (and each year after). Apprehension subsided and was replaced with
enthusiasm that by the end of the week nearly matched the energy of their
leaders.
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| 2013 |
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| 2015 |
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| 2018 |
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| 2021 |
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| 2022 |
We shared meals around a table as a family, but many times, we found
one or two kids sitting with other families to be next to their new best friend
or favorite counselor.
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| Dinner time 2015 |
Monday night was also the first theme night. We didn’t know
what a big deal this was and I don’t remember what many of them were, but we
managed to kind of get in the groove with most theme nights by our 13th
year. Every year, The Bluffs would announce the 3 theme nights well in advance
so that families could come prepared. Some of us tried harder than others if
the theme was something we were excited about. When I say some, I mean most of
my kids got into it and I usually found a T-shirt at Walmart the day before
camp that would work.
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| Ninjas and Night-Nights 2022 |
On theme nights, which took place on Monday, Wednesday
and Friday night, counselors would go all out in decorating and planning games
and activities to go along with the theme at dinner time and after. Some of my
favorites were The Night at the Museum, Tacky Prom, and Rodeo Night.
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Night at the Museum 2023
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| Rodeo Night 2013 |
Wednesday nights always included the best talent show you’ll
ever attend. There was no bad act when counselors and families stood ready to
cheer “G-double O-D-J-O-B, good job, good job!” after every performance. Even
the most timid kid would gain the confidence to go on stage and feel completely
accepted and valued.
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2014
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| 2021 |
Friday nights included a cookout and carnival games and
the annual Counselors vs. Campers game of basketball or flag football. According
to my recollection, I have to admit that in the 13 years we went to Pine Cove,
counselors always won.
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| 2024 |
Two of the highlights of the week were at the beginning and
the end. Counselors shared their talents as they would compose and perform the
Opening Song that included all of the “guidelines for fun having” (rules) and
other important info to the tune of songs like, “Thank God I’m a Country Boy”
by John Denver or “Hello” by Adele. We always looked forward to what they came up with.
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2023 Program Director
Singing the Opening Song
Wes served 5 summers at Pine Cove
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At the end of the week, counselors shared CQs with their camper and
their parents. CQs are Character Qualities that the counselor observed in the
kids all week and then affirmed them verbally at the close of the week. I have
saved every CQ card from every camp.
Next post is a little story about Jeremy providing some extra entertainment one Banquet Night...
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