Lauren In Alaska: Bible Camp 2012

It's hard to believe that another season of camp has already come to a close. A lot happens during five weeks of camp, and there never seems to be a good way of fully expressing it in words. Camp in Unalakleet simply needs to be experienced! But considering the fact that coming to camp in rural Alaska for five weeks might not be the most feasible plan for all of you who are reading, I'll do my best to give you a small and succinct glimpse of what made this June's camping season at Bible Camp so awesome. So, with that, I give you...

Bible Camp 2012 Highlights [as seen from the eyes of Lauren :) ]

- 1. Campers: As we like to say, 'Camp is for the campers!', so it's no surprise that campers make the top of the list. Continuing relationships with youth who I had met in my first two years serving with CYAK was hands down one of the best parts of camp this year. It was awesome to see some girls from my cabin both from last year and this year start to open up and share some of their struggles, and to be able to pray with them and encourage them in that.

- 2. Staying for the long haul: Serving at camp for five weeks means five weeks of really getting to know those you are working with, five weeks of living the good life (amidst the struggles, slight lack of hygiene, and general tired state, life at camp is good), and four weeks of seeing youth who were campers during Leadership week step into roles of service such as: junior counselors, handymen, and kitchen helpers. (How's that for a sentence?) Needless to say, I am so thankful I was able to serve at camp for the long haul this year, and hope to again in the future.

- 3. Leadership brainstorm: During Leadership week, we (Leadership campers and staff) brainstormed the struggles that face Alaska Native youth everyday, and began talking about some of the ways that we can work against those struggles. It was so encouraging to see high schoolers and young adults from across Alaska speak up and have a voice on these issues. It’s discussions and conversations like these – where the youth are empowered and excited about talking about how to work against these tough issues – that I am reminded of CYAK's vision to see young emerging leaders developed in the Alaska church, and am so excited to be used as a part of this ministry!

- 4. Snow on June 2 and June 3: Yep. You read right. Snow. On June 2. And June 3.

- 5. Morning meetings and coffee around the wood stove: Every morning, the staff met at 8:30 to debrief the night before, talk about the plans for that day, and pray together. During the first couple of weeks it was still quite cold, making coffee all the more delicious, and a good fire in the wood stove plain wonderful. It was so refreshing to come to our meeting and be able to spend time in fellowship with one another before beginning our day.

- 6. Worship: I love worship at camp. There are no projectors, big sound systems, or speakers. Just someone leading with a guitar, someone playing a drum, and a camper or two holding up posters. :)

- 7. Living the simple life: No phones, computers, internet, or showers (ha! I joke. But really). Rotating between 5 shirts and 2 pairs of jeans. Going going going hard all day = zzzing zzzing zzzing hard all night. Brushing our teeth in the river instead of at a sink. And more. Living at camp is living the simple life and its grand.

- 8. Hiking in the rain/ bridge jumping: The morning of the hike during Junior High week, the sun was shining bright, and there was hardly a cloud in the sky. But, weather can change quickly up here and we found ourselves on the top of the hill, eating pb&j and salmon spread sandwiches in the pouring rain. Needless to say, we were all pretty drenched when all was said and done, so (logically) we decided to do a little bridge jumping into the river on the way back to camp (so fun!). Once everyone had made it back to their cabins, created a mountain of sopping wet clothes, and found some dry and warm ones to put on, the sun decided to come back out. Of course. But it was a blast, and I wouldn't have had it any other way!

9. Mosquitoes: NOT. But thankfully they weren't too bad until the last couple of weeks! (see #4)

- 10. Laughter: So much laughter. Whether it was laughing with staff, laughing with campers, or laughing at or with ourselves, there was and always is a lot of laughter that happens at camp. One of my favorite camper laughing moments would have to be when one of my 11 year old campers broke out into a rap in our cabin. She named the song, 'I'm Native and I Know It'. I'll give you a little taste with verse one: 'When I walk onto the trail, this is what I see; I see a couple of cranes staring right at me. I got my gun in my hand and I'm not afraid to shoot it, shoot it, shoot it. I'm Native and I know it.' Oh the hilarity!

- As I write these out, I am reminded of so many other highlights from this past June at camp. Buuuut I've already broken my promise of being succinct, so I will stop there! You'll just have to ask me if you want to know more! Enjoy the pictures! ~ Lauren