Memories in the Making

Walls and Weighted Tea Pots

2011-11-12T14:14:00.000-07:00

How would you go about tearing down a wall? Storming a castle? A similar question that you perhaps might not have connected is this - how would you achieve some cathartic release? The camp’s mighty trebuchet is our answer to all three. He (or shall we call it a “she”?) made an appearance at our Pastors and Wives’ Retreat last month. The participating couples had to predict the final trajectory of where the deadly melon would land and set up the milk crates to catch it. If they hit the target, the prize was a gourmet dinner for two at a fancy restaurant. The competitive men and women lined-up to take their shots and ooh-and-ah at the explosive melons.

Originally built for our Outdoor Ed program, campers make predictions, graph the possibilities and outcomes, and discuss ancient civilizations impact on today’s world. Mostly though, they just have fun setting up their castle wall to hopefully be destroyed by the flying toaster or weighted boot. This connection between education, destruction and fun sounds very childlike, very boy like, but can’t we sophisticated adults apply this method in as well?

When we face those overwhelming obstacles, when we come up against those willful walls, why not take a similar approach? Take that awesome task or difficulty that lies before you and overcome it in a way that will not only bring enjoyment to yourself but to those around you. Throw a melon at it or a teapot, whatever it takes. Break down that barrier. Barge through that gate. If you miss, try and try again and as you get closer and messier you might just realize that the anticipation and joy in the attempts perhaps has been the lesson or the game all along.

Who done it?

2011-10-31T17:01:00.001-07:00

It’s Halloween and no campers are around, so what does Prescott Pines Camp do with a day like today? Well, we work a little and then we prepare for a party of course! Our very own Paul Clark wrote his own Murder Mystery Dinner Party script inspired by the movie Murder by Death. Last year, we also held such an event in Groom Creek Lodge- and true to camp form- every staff member was quite into their character. The baker ended up being the murderer. (Please don’t let that deter you from tasting our delightful desserts when you visit though!) We can’t wait to share this year’s pictures with you but here are few from the last party. You may also wonder what the town of Prescott does on such a holiday. The road up to camp, Mount Vernon, is closed off by the city and big portable lights are rolled onto the street. Thousands of people – young and old alike- walk the highly decorated row of historical houses. With the coming of fall, the trees drip with golden yellow and orange and the children run with delight in their colorful costumes as they collect their candy. Check out our facebook page for more pictures of our Murder Mystery Night. Any suspicions of who the murderer may be?

Soap, Shoes and a Dialysis Machine

2011-10-15T13:59:00.000-07:00

Frontier Village Campers 2011

It’s a common question. What should I pack for camp? Just this morning, a man from the men’s retreat found himself in such a packing quandary. He came to the office looking for the laundry facility since his wife only put one pair of jeans in his bag (though my husband wonders why that is a problem). So clothes, yes, you pack clothes, shoes -suitable for the woods, toothbrush, soap, etc… But what about a nurse? A doctor? A dialysis machine? Last week we hosted Phoenix Children’s Hospital where all of the children who came to camp have kidneys that are no longer doing an effective job. Periodically, they receive dialysis treatment so packing for them required more, much more. The Phoenix Children’s Hospital bought many staff and volunteers as well as a U-Haul full of equipment and medicine. For many of these children, this was the first time they were away from home and family. And because of that, they were able to be – in a sense- away from the limitations of their illness. Here at camp they could be children! They could explore the woods. They could go on the zip line. They could play on the low ropes. They could dance the night away in the MAC. They could be campers.

A teacher from one of our participating Outdoor Education schools wrote the following in an email to us:

“I personally believe that camp changes lives. Really. Whether it is a church camp or a school camp, this might be the first time for some of them to shine outside of the classroom or athletic field. What if you aren’t the brightest or the fastest? Maybe you can build a mean shelter, or get us out of a dangerous situation with your compass skills…I am tearing up as I write this because we need so much compassion this year. After the 8^th grade suicide on our campus this year we are more aware than ever of the need for acceptance and guidance. I want everyone who touches their lives to believe in kids and want to be with them…”

And Prescott Pines does believe in kids and we believe in camp! No matter where you come from or who you are, here at camp you can soar across valleys, face your challenges, and –quite literally-climb over walls- all with a big smile on your face. When it is time to go, you leave with so much more than you came with, a moment in life packed full of lasting memories.

Sobriety Coins and Branches

2011-10-05T14:12:00.000-07:00

A single mother of two spoke of the recent transition in her life- her first born was leaving for college. A twenty-two year old full time nursing student shared her thoughts about her relationship – they had been together since they were sixteen, have they changed too much to be right for each other now? A retired school district employee wonders if her social security check will be enough. No matter what stage of life we are in or what we are in the midst of - be it joy or pain- we were made to share. The women’s retreats were full of such moments. What a month September was! As we entered into October this past weekend, we hosted a different kind of women’s retreat. Members of Alcoholics Anonymous came to gather around one another in celebration and support, new participants discovered that they were not alone and sponsors passed on encouragement and wisdom. In the MAC, they journeyed through the Angel Walk where the blind-folded woman would be guided through obstacles advised and supported by mentors on the outside. At the end of the crossing, they received their sobriety coin. It was an emotional time. We are glad that Prescott Pines Camp is a place of gathering, sharing, and realization that we are not meant to go at this life alone. He is the vine and we are the branches and those branches work together to support one another. May you see such branches in your life and may you be such to others! Who is someone in your life that you share with like this? Thank them today by leaving a comment below.

Lookout Fire

2011-09-24T14:49:00.000-07:00

Lightening caused it. About ten miles south of Prescott, a fire spread, the Lookout Fire. With such steep, rugged, difficult terrain, helicopters would be necessary. Sometimes an opportunity comes along where the community is given a chance to come together to meet a need. In such times, Prescott Pines Camp is grateful to be able – if we can – to be a part of the work. This was one of those times. On the day we commenced our outdoor education season with one-hundred-twenty sixth graders from Tarwater Elementary, we were called upon by the National Forest Fire Service for the use of the ball field. Here the helicopter would land and load up with equipment and would be conveniently close to Gold Water Lake to fill up. We were honored to be of assistance to the five crew team of one hundred and twenty personal. In the middle of owl pellet dissection or debriefing team building, we would stop and wait for the helicopter to fly overhead. On their history hike to the lake, the students were even able to see the water retrieval. What an exciting week it has been here at camp! It sounds as if the fire has been well contained and was restricted to the forest area for which we are thankful. Check out the pictures!

Witness the Life in Me

2011-09-16T15:33:00.004-07:00

Witness the Life in Me

“Oh, Sweetie, I just take it day by day now, ” she said with a smile. I smiled in return but the truth in such a statement caused me to reflect later - was that the appropriate response? I hugged her. My blossoming baby-belly quickly bringing us close together, one of her arms tightly wrapped around my shoulders and the other still gripped onto her cane. Camp hosted a special women's retreat this midweek. Many of the ladies that came during this time have built their legacies and are in the last chapters of His narrative in their lives. I had the privilege of speaking to them the first night about my experience in China. When I surveyed the group, it was clear that their concept of the nation was much different than mine. They lived during the time of the Cultural Revolution. They knew Red China. They heard the front line news of the closed doors and the persecution, the oppression, and the famine.

I entitled the talk “Three Lives, Three Women, One Story” and as I spoke to them in that dimly lit room, I could clearly see their faces, imprinted with stories of their own to speak of and share. After forty-five minutes, we thanked God together for the Greatest Story Ever told and the honor and privilege it is to a be a witness to His kingdom coming. But there was one more story that they insisted on hearing about: how did I meet my husband? I briefly shared about my sister working at the camp where Ben was the Outdoor Education Coordinator and how on my return visit back from China, I shadowed her at work. That is when it happened. Ben was standing up in front of a group of sixth graders singing about three short-necked buzzards when I fell in love. The last of the three women's lives I shared was my own but I stopped the story simply with my return back to the states. But these women knew better than I, know better than I. They insisted that I continue sharing. It all brings Him glory – in China, in Prescott, as a single woman, as a married lady, as a mom! After all, his story in us and through us never ends. Let us not keep from speaking of the things we have seen and heard. And even when they might not be able to return again to camp next year, His story will continue on. It is all a part of the One story. “See you again next year, I hope,” I say to her, life in me forming and life in her nearing the end. She smiles at me. And I smile in return. This is the right response. She knows. Stories have beginnings and ends but His story is eternal, everlasting, amen!

Our Favorites in Everyone's Hometown

2011-08-15T08:44:00.002-07:00

Before the summer comes to an end, we wanted to highlight some of our staff’s favorite places and things to do in Prescott. When you come up for a visit, make sure you spend some extra time to enjoy what we love about “everyone’s hometown.”

Jim Trail, our camp director, finds Bill’s Pizza to be the best. (I must say that Ben and I do make this part of our Sunday ritual where we spend $2.75 for a specialty slice of pizza. Our favorites include the Elton John, roasted garlic infused olive oil, artichoke hearts, tomatoes, cooked spinach, red onions and four cheeses plus feta!) For fun, Jim loves Prescott’s high school sporting events.

The Dinner Bell is Heather Trail’s favorite for breakfast. This small town diner boasts of comfort food. A cash only place, the prices are easy on the pocketbook. Heather recommends ordering the home potatoes and sitting in the quaint patio area as it is right on the creek side.

Cassie Clark, our guest service coordinator, is in love with Murphy’s. (Well really, she is simply in love.) She celebrated her birthday there where her husband, Chris, of three months treated her. She boasts of the service, “They even take a Polaroid picture of you for special events!” According to Cassie this steakhouse and seafood restaurant is definitely worth the price. What goes along with a steak? The rodeo of course which is by far Cassie’s favorite event in Prescott.

Do you love sushi like me? Laura Brown, our accounts manager, and her husband do too. Their favorite restaurant is Esoji. Laura loves it because this is where Doug always takes her for special events- including the night he proposed. The atmosphere is quiet and authentic, and the sushi very fresh. A great place for a date! Laura suggests that you start the day with a hike up Thumb Butte or head out to Willow Lake and rent a kayak.

As for Ben and I we love Papa’s Italian Restaurant. The specials are just that -special! Our favorite sauce is the rose – an alfredo-marinara mix. We love the staff and the ladies with their big Italian hair. On special nights, they serve you a complimentary bowl of minestrone. After dinner, you might find us on the rooftop of the Raven where we borrow their Scrabble board or at Monk’s in the back patio. This is often followed by a walk around the square where we might sit on the steps of the courthouse to enjoy the live music. And of course I cannot help but to mention the best coffee house, tucked away in the corner of a quaint courtyard near the creek – Wild Iris. Not only will you find the best coffee here but also me every Friday!

So the next time you come into town, visit some of our favorite places. You can bet that some of us would be more than happy to accompany you!

Do you have any places you love in Prescott? Post it below!

Time Travel by Ben Maki

2011-08-06T11:59:00.001-07:00

Yesterday, as I was deep in concentration over some new problem that had cropped up in our soon-to-be-released redesigned website, Laura came in to ask a favor. “There’s a family here to visit the grounds and I need someone to take them around,” she asked. “You’re the only one available.” Generally, it takes me a few minutes to switch to people mode when I’ve been coding web pages all day, but when the woman who hands you your check every other week asks a favor…well…

The family turned out to be from Utah and they had come all the way to Prescott for a whirlwind one day tour of all that was special to grandpa when he lived here as a boy. Grandpa himself was leading the tour and from the smile on his face as we climbed into the golf cart I could tell this was going to be a fun trip.

Our first stop was the Chapel. After a family picture outside the door, he stepped inside and began describing in detail how it had looked so long ago. “There were pews and the front was on the end, over here. There was a banner on the wall that said ‘I can do all things through Christ’ above the stage. And I was sitting right here when I gave my life to the Lord.” He was standing right under the left projector, surrounded by chairs facing the wrong way and staring at a blank, banner-less wall, but you could tell that the decision he’d made so long ago on that very spot hadn’t changed at all.

Now I was born in the ‘70’s, so when people talk about coming to camp in 1948, it falls into that realm of history sometime after the Romans, but before the VCR. And the difference between that time and this one seems like an impossibly long time. But as we continued the tour (his level of excitement rising to an almost giddy level when he discovered his cabin is still—barely—standing), I was reminded of something a pastor once said to me. “I’ve made a lot of decisions in my life, starting from a very young age. What I was going to be, where I was going to live, what I was going to do. But there is only one decision that has stuck with me for all these years: the decision to follow Christ. I don’t know how, but I am who I am because of that decision.”

Like I said, I’m working on a new web site. We just built a new dining hall. We’ve got grandiose plans to make this place as unrecognizable in another 60 years as it is now compared to back then. But nothing excites me more than this: that when my own childhood joins the Roman Empire in ancient history, my work here will have helped people know the One Who Never Changes and who will still be loving me.

Indentation by Yvonne Barreras

2011-08-01T16:22:00.000-07:00

I came to Prescott Pines Youth Camp as a fill-in counselor for Youth Camp Week 1. I didn’t know any of the girls that I would room with. Where would they come from? What kind of background? Spiritually, where were they at? The six girls were from two different cities, two different churches and the majority shared that they didn’t want to be there. *Sigh.* Anxiety and fear gripped me; this was going to be an interesting week! This situation was as uncomfortable as the mattress was that first night. I couldn’t do this alone so I asked for prayer from staff, counselors and even some friends from out of town.

God didn’t waste any time. The second night one camper told me that God wanted her to share a message with the whole camp! We took time to pray that she would be empowered to carry out her task in obedience. She shared God’s message the next morning in chapel. (Later in the week I was told that two other campers made decisions for Christ because of the message.) Well, the rest of my campers were still resistant to just about everything even meals! They weren’t comfortable sharing at cabin times so it was time for me to pray some more.

By Wednesday evening though, there was change - all the girls participated in everything and had a good time. They were excited and had smiles on their faces. Yes! They were like that mattress that got more and more comfy cozy each day. Thursday night during chapel the music moved one of my most resistant campers to tears. This was the first time she sat with me during chapel. We took the time to leave the chapel and she was able to share her pain with me, but even after talking with her she was not ready to give her life to Christ. The seed has been planted though and more prayers surround her as she goes home. Her friend joined us outside and shared her story. She made a decision to rededicate her life to Christ.

Friday was bittersweet - knowing some of these girls would be returning to situations that I would never understand, but also knowing that they all had a wonderful memorable time and want to return to camp. It all so worthwhile! By Friday, there was an indentation in that mattress after all, a reminder that Christ had made an indentation in their hearts and mine. There were no accidental or coincidental housing situations that week. I was so blessed!

Instantly Progressively Better by Stephen Solan

2011-07-24T18:04:00.000-07:00

I was nowhere to be found; my campers for Youth Camp One arrived promptly at 3:00pm on Sunday. I was in the middle of preparing the dining hall with decorations for our WWII theme camp. After I finished I quickly scuttled to the office to find my housing; you see camp had started, campers had arrived, but my belongings were not in my assigned cabin. After being informed that four of my seven campers were here I moved my stuff to the cabin. This was the first week of camp that I had legitimately felt unprepared for the week. To best describe the day, I felt as though I was having that “underwear dream,” the one where you show up to school or work with no pants on. I felt confused, unprepared, stressed, disorganized and lost and I was the counselor! (Please keep in mind that I did have my pants on for this whole time.) Overall, I went into my week with the mindset that it was going to be all downhill from there. I should have expected that God had a MUCH better plan in mind!

Stephen in Frontier Village

After the first chapel session, I could tell the week was going to be amazing. God changed my attitude from being down and gloomy, to energetic and excited. My campers began to open up about their struggles in life from that very first day! God used this and my life experiences to share the gospel and give them Godly advice. Despite being one of the worst teams competing in the games, our morale was uplifting. Chapel was impacting and spiritually deep. As amazing as each day was, none of them came close to how God worked on Thursday night. Tears came pouring out, boundaries were broken, worship was cried out, and ultimately kids became conscious of their need for Christ. I have been working at Prescott Pines Camp for five summers, and haven’t seen anything quite like it before! God is good! It goes to show that people can be lost, and nowhere to be found, but then God faithfully shows up and by His spirit makes things progressively better - if not instantly!

Those of you who camp to Frontier Village or Youth Camp as a counselor or a camper, do you have a break through story to share?

The Ones who Crave it the Most by Annie Oakley

2011-07-14T14:04:00.001-07:00

She stepped off the hayride looking as confident as I have ever seen an eleven year old look. Already she was intimidating to me. At first she didn’t talk much, just glanced around looking bored. Immediately I judged this girl. I wrote her off as a girl who thought she was too cool for camp and I was determined that I was going to give my attention to the other girls in the teepee who seemed excited about being there. But God was not going to let my selfishness get in the way of the work He was going to do in her life that week.

Annie Oakley with Campers (camper in story not pictured)

Within the first day I realized that my heart needed a change, and I began to pray that God would give me His love for her. Throughout the week she began to change, or maybe my attitude towards her began to change. I soon found out the reasons for her tough demeanor. This little girl had experienced more heartbreak, loss and trials in her life than any kid deserves to go through. The more time I spent with her the more I grew to love her.

All day on Thursday I felt uneasy because I knew it was salvation night. By night time I was a mess. I felt more pressure than I ever had on salvation night. I went to Ellie Sunrise, the head female counselor, crying that I couldn’t do it. She prayed with me and reminded me that it was God who would give me the words and that this night was His. For some reason my heart was pounding as I walked with my camper outside the teepee. As we sat down to talk I prayed that God would give me the words to say. What happened next was a miracle.

I asked her if she knew where she was going when she died. She said no. I began to explain the gospel to her. Suddenly words came faster and faster. I was explaining things in ways I had never thought of. She accepted Christ that night and I know I had nothing to with it. God gave me the love for this girl and the words to say to bring her to Him.

Being used as Christ’s hands and feet is the most humbling experience in the world. I truly know that it has nothing to do with me and everything to do with Him. Every child is an image bearer of Christ and should be loved as such. Every summer that I spend as a counselor at Prescott Pines God teaches me something new. This summer I am learning about every person’s desire to be loved. So often I am selfish with love, only giving it to people who can return it or to people that I feel deserve it. But I am learning that the people who don’t seem to want or need love are the ones who crave it the most.

Guest Blog from Counselor in Training - Allie Banks

2011-07-07T17:19:00.000-07:00

Hello, I’m a CIT here at Prescott Pines. My camp name is Allie Banks and I’m gonna tell you a little about how this week has gone. We’d been expecting rain all week and with 23 kids here we weren’t sure what to think. But it’s been a blast! It basically sprinkled on and off throughout the day, and rained occasionally. When it came to water day on Wednesday, we were praying for warm weather because otherwise everyone would freeze! And God answered those prayers! It was clear and sunny the whole game time. Everybody had fun and not one kid left the water games dry (Hee! Hee!)

Wednesday evening was skit night. Every tepee had preformed and it was so funny; my stomach hurt from laughing so much. It’s a lot of fun seeing the way all the kids have fun watching the summer staff skits. Even though it’s the hundredth time we’ve seen it, it’s always enjoyable to see the new facial expressions on the kids. This one girl in my tepee doesn’t smile a whole lot so seeing her laughing for 5 minutes straight was very cool. I love seeing the kids open up to us a little each day while we’re here at camp and that makes salvation night that much better for us.

Though we get tired as the week progresses we always find a lot of enthusiasm when Thursday rolls around. On this day, we go to the lake and go canoeing, swim in the afternoon, and then that night we see where they are in their lives. And even if there is only one new salvation or rededication, it’s worth every ounce of effort we put into it because sometimes we just plant a seed and that’s all it takes.

Kindey Stones and Jagged Rocks

2011-06-30T16:55:00.000-07:00

She came back. With twenty-four fresh stitches on her knee, she returned to camp. The night before while chasing the counselor with who held one of the most sought after marbles, eleven year old Alexa tripped and landed on a jagged rock, deeply splitting the skin on her knee in two distinct pieces. Quickly the nurse applied pressure and immediately the ambulance was called. Although no ligaments were torn (exposed but not torn), she was required to wear a knee brace and use crutches because of the position of the cut. She insisted though on coming back to camp. “I want to make a memory out of this,” she said. “Besides, I don’t want to miss out on anything!”

Ironically, the theme of Sun Valley Community Church’s pre-teen camp is Collide. They even brought up a totaled car for décor and placed it outside of the chapel. Challenging the kids to consider what happens when they know what is right collides with what the world offers, the leadership presented discussion points each day. Thinking about our adult lives, how often have we found ourselves headed in one direction – a seemingly smooth and clear trajectory – when we come colliding into reality? Do we pick ourselves up like Alexa and insist on making a memory of it, a positive moment, a turning point? Despite the pain, do we still insist on not missing out on anything God would have for us or do we check out of the game?

Last week in our summer camp in Frontier Village, a young eleven year old Chris stood to the side of the water games, hunched over in pain. “I just have a kidney stone, that’s all,” he explained as he grunted. My face must have expressed my shock and concern because he went on like an old veteran, “Oh, I have passed five before. It’s not passing now. I will be fine.” Of course, I walked him over to Doc Mom to have a look. His parents had informed the camp so she was aware of his condition. He was given lots of water and reminded that he knew his body and must be honest when it was time to go to the hospital. From Utah, Chris came to camp with the knowledge that this pain was simply a part of his life and there was no way he was going to miss out on the week with his friend and an experience at camp. Nathan is making a memory. His childhood would not just be marked with pain but with wild-west fun and crazy hair and uninhibited worship.

No doubt many people will ask Alexa about her scar in her future, perhaps at an ice-breaker her freshmen year in college. “Tell us a story about a scar,“ they will ask. “Oh, this one,” she will say as she points to her knee, “This one I got at camp. You should have seen it. It was awesome!”

So do any of you have a good camp scar story to share?

Post it as a comment!

The Far Reaches of a Cocoon

2011-06-23T14:31:00.000-07:00

The call went out. A camper was missing. Five boys out of sleeping bags, bed head all glorious, toothbrushes in hand were ready for the showers. But where was the sixth? The counselor acted quickly despite his lack of sleep. Leadership was put on alert. Within minutes – seconds – the boy’s height, eye-color, clothing descriptions, medical history even was taken note of. And just as abruptly the camper was found. The sleeping bag on his upper cot began to wiggle. Like a reluctant, sleepy-eyed turtle, he emerged. Tucked into the far reaches of his cocoon, the little camper was so curled up, he simply looked like a disheveled sleeping bag. The counselor was of course later teased and mocked by his beloved co-counselors when he shared the story. Despite such humiliation, the counselor took the time to nominate the same run-away (or tucked- away) for Deputy of the Day. With the bestowing of this title, comes the privilege to walk beside the marshal on night duty. He/she is also given responsibilities above those of his/her fellow campers. It is quite the honor. To be chosen for the position, the camper must demonstrate a care and concern for others, responsibility, and an attitude that reflects Christ. The counselor shared that this camper, the night before his disappearance, had given his only flashlight to a fellow bunk mate because he was afraid of the dark. He showed him how to use it inside his sleeping bag to make a safe haven and assured him everything would be alright. And even though it was only the first night of camp, upon hearing that his fellow teepee member did not know about God’s love for him, the tucked-away camper shared passionately how Jesus was not only his best friend, but his Savior. He went on to explain what Savior meant. This camper seemed to know deeply what it means to be lost and then found!

It is during the counselor devotional times, that the staff is able to share such stories. It is a chance to praise the good things they see in the campers. How often do we take those moments in children’s lives? Take a moment to brag on a child now! Share a story in our comments.

Wear it like you mean it!

2011-06-14T12:12:00.004-07:00

With their pressed uniforms, their order, and their commands, the Navy junior ROTC filled one side of the dining hall. With their bright neon shirts, their enthusiasm, and their cheers, Grace Community Church’s kids group occupied the other. And both groups were very happy. As the weeks go by and the months pass, many different guest groups come through Prescott Pines’ doors. Evening Light Fellowship visited us recently. They adhere to the traditional literal values of the Bible so their women wear flowing skirts and are adorned with long hair. I had the privilege to host the girls on the zip line. Ever so discreetly and with grace and modesty, the young ladies were able to put their harnesses on while maintaining their convictions. (This involved a change in a nearby teepee and a careful combination of leggings and a harness covered by a skirt.) Resurrection Lutheran hosted their children’s camp this past week. The church is located in a unique place in Scottsdale. Just down the street, an apartment complex has been established as Liberian refugee housing. The church sympathized with the needs of this displaced people group and started to bring food, clothing, and most importantly community. On Sundays, a shuttle brings them to church. Many of the kids this past week were these very children from Liberia. Pam, the leader, spoke of how they often do not eat three meals a day. Camp provided not only an unforgettable experience for them but fed them as well. An older couple who took their time to be counselors spoke of a conversation with Suah. When the eleven year old boy found out they did not have children, his first question was “So when were they killed?” The diversity of the groups and the uniqueness of their needs is one of the aspects that makes camp an amazing place. It is here that each comes seeking – in one way or another- and it is always our hope that we are able to reflect the love and hope found in Jesus Christ whether they come wearing pressed uniforms, neon shirts, or long skirts.

To check out recent pictures of Frontier Village and meet the summer crew, click here!

When Campers Aren't Around...

2011-04-14T15:39:00.001-07:00

A Swinging Vine of Doom and a Bull Moose

2011-03-24T11:40:00.006-07:00

They were frustrated. Really frustrated. And this was the point. The key is to get them to a place where they are challenged but not beyond their ability, wrestling but not overwhelmed. Outdoor Education programs have started up once again. Classes are in full swing in the middle of what remains of the snow here at camp. Low Ropes and Team Quest are my favorite to facilitate. I love helping the fifth graders work through that eleven-year old angst that enviably arises when they try to solve a problem as a team. “They’re doing it the wrong way!” Hunter shouts as he passes unsuccessfully through the Swinging Vine of Doom. (To the untrained eye, this merely appears as a blue jump rope). The team must figure out the pattern that will allow them to pass through unharmed. When I set-up the challenge, I always question if I should give them an example of a possible pattern. If I do, almost without default, they fixate on that possibility. “A pattern could be something like ‘boy, girl, boy, girl’ but the true pattern has nothing to do with gender,” I pronounce emphatically. And soon they begin sending each other through the vine.

The rope becomes increasingly agitated with each failed attempt. “Enh!” it yells. (To the untrained ear, an annoying “you got it wrong” sound pronounced from the side of my mouth.) “Oh I know! I know!” one girl jumps up and down. “It is ‘girl, girl, boy, boy’! Try that! Try that!” How quickly they forget, making it more complicated than it needs to be. And this is where the life lessons arise. I begin to guide Hunter, the boy with the black framed glasses and sandy-blond hair -or is it more brown? This is imperative to my pattern- “If there is a problem, Hunter, who’s responsibility is it to fix it?” He smiles at me and confidently pronounces, “God. God can fix it.” I cannot help but to smile back, “And who does God use, Hunter?” Again, with just as much confidence, “Missionaries!” “Missionaries are who, Hunter?” “People.” “Hmmm,” I say, “Are you a person, Hunter?” “YES!” “Who can help fix the problem then?” “ME!” He laughs a cute, sly “ah-shucks” kind of laugh and runs to the end of the line to help his classmates figure out how to beat the swinging vine.

When I gather the students in a circle to debrief at the end of the challenge, they compare the vine to temptation that you must get through. You can learn from the people who have gone before you who have failed and when you figure out a way, the Way, you can make it through. A little frustration is a good thing whether we are in fifth grade or fifty. It gives us a chance to gain a new perspective and helps us face the next challenge life throws at us, whether that’s keeping your cool because someone cut you off in traffic or persevering when the Vine of Doom is keeping you from your journey through the jungle.

An Arresting Invasion in Boots

2011-02-17T18:00:00.004-07:00

They arrested him. For not cleaning his room, Doc Holiday, Yosemite Sam and Johnny Ringo arrested him. Five minutes earlier, I was sitting at our Prescott Pines Camp promotional booth outside Desert Springs Community Church when a blond young woman with a cell phone poised to her ear was casually walking back and forth chatting with someone about houses in Connecticut. Her ring seemed to sparkle with each syllabic emphasis in the winter Arizona sun. She sat down next to me, crossed her legs, and smiled. “So moving to Connecticut?” I offered conversation.

It didn’t take much. From where she went to high school to how she met her husband, to the adoption of her two children and why the family is moving to east coast, this woman had me at “hello.” As we talked about the complexities of parenting two children from two different cultures (her girl, from Korea, and her boy, from Russia), she shared how her son was just so obstinate the day before. At this point she turned to our summer staff that were dressed up as their camp characters –cowboy hats, boots, and all - and pronounced, “You know what you should do? Go arrest him. Yeah, go arrest him. He’s in the third grade class. Just walk right in there and arrest him for not cleaning his room.” And it was decided.

The whole gang headed up to the Sunday school classroom, led by the junior high pastor, and the young eight year old outlaw was promptly arrested. Somewhat confused and a little shy, he obediently went with the deputy. In the hall, he met his laughing mother. After he was led back into the room, the staff presented camp and all its adventures to the wide-eyed group of children. One minute you are happily coloring pictures of Jesus and the next minute the Wild West has invaded your serene elementary territory. We all need a little invasion (and perhaps a little arrest in our busy lives). It gets you to color outside of those lines. Such exuberance is welcomed at camp. And those pictures of Jesus, transform and come to life at camp even in the streets of the Old West, making memories that reach back in time and into eternity.

Sparrows in Red Bandannas

2011-02-10T09:39:00.001-07:00

Ben hardly could focus those first few summer weeks. Outside of the camp office, Heather had set up a few bird feeders. You see, my husband loves to explore nature and the window that presented such a view was a little too distracting for him. Being married to Ben brings many benefits including -and certainly not limited to- the ability to reach the baking soda on the top shelf without having to climb on the counter top as well as the nature lover's world view. Ben shared with me once how the sparrows are actually like the little gangsters in the bird world. (I picture them with red and blue bandannas on their tiny feathered heads.) They will attack and unfairly beat up on others, often for no reason at all. They are the least of the bird world. Now that Ben shares such nature-knowledge with me, Jesus' parables convey even deeper meaning for the Carpenter was also a naturalist. He looked at the world around Him, the very world that was created through Him, and weaved stories of the Divine. When he spoke of caring about the sparrows, perhaps it was more than them just being the littlest but that they were the least liked. Jesus even loves the little gangsters. This year at the women's retreat, Marilyn Dean is our speaker. She too will bring out those deeper details as she will sit before us with her pottery wheel. As she moves her hands over the clay, you can't help but sense the Potter's hands on your life.

Check out Prescott Pines Camp website for more information on how to register!

Red in the Dark

2011-02-04T18:53:00.000-07:00

I was holding a red crayon so I wrote down blue. Ben had passed out the colors and told us to guess what they were, “Write it on the piece of paper and then stick it in your pocket.” For our outdoor education program, we are featuring a night hike so Ben was leading the group of us through the new activity. The only problem was it wasn’t dark - I was holding a red crayon and I could clearly see it. Ben talked about cones and rods and people’s heads disappearing in the dark. We cupped our hands around our ears to make deer ears and then wet our noses to improve our sense of smell. Then he instructed us on how to guide the campers through the solo part of the hike. It seemed ridiculous talking about fear in the bright day light. Darkness certainly transforms a place. The things that we are so assured of in the light become easily questionable in the dark. Color is not clear at all. Red could very well be blue. Ben instructs us to tell the kids to keep their eyes moving and look through their peripheral vision . “It is easier to see in the dark this way,” he tells us. And I wonder how many times I have tried to focus directly on the thing before me. Lately it seems the world has hit such black patches. Trying to focus on the thing itself to appertain meaning, perhaps makes it appear even darker. What if we learn the lesson from our night vision? Let us look around then. Keep our eyes moving and keep walking forward. Red is red even if I can’t see it or name it for what it is. It is a skill to adapt to the dark. Wet your nose, cup your ears, move your eyes around, and walk on.

Big Foot and the Green Team

2011-01-28T17:37:00.000-07:00

The pink dyed ends of her hair flip out from underneath her gray derby style hat. Her green plastic Prescott Pines Camp bracelet stands out among the rest. She is the only one on her team; the other church has not arrived yet. After the rules of the game are explained, the group of excited junior high campers is released to gather as many balloons as they can scavenge in the dark that now surrounds the camp grounds. First they huddle as a team to come up with a strategy. How will they keep the balloons from being popped by the counselors? How will they defend themselves against Big Foot? Excitement continues to rise from Blue, Yellow and Red as the teams rush out the doors into the night. And then there is Green. She is alone but undaunted. Back in the gym where they are to return with as many perfect sets of four colors they can find, we wait. The screams and the laughter indicate that the game is in full motion. Blue’s door bursts open. Balloons pour out of arms but they don’t have a perfect set. They are sent back out into the dark. On the far side of the building, Red’s door flings open. They too are sent back. We wait and we wait. And then she enters. The Green Team. Confident and strong, she strides across the gym floor. Her smile shows off a mouth full of shiny braces. Red face flushed, she unzips her coat. Balloons float to the floor. She starts pulling them out of her pants as well. By herself, she has found and secured two full sets, stuffed carefully in her clothes. I exclaim how awesome she is and she returns to the hunt. One against many, she not only survives but conquers…

This past weekend we had our first of three winter camps. Jenna, the sole survivor, is actually returning again. (She promises not to tell the others about Big Foot.) Last week, she asked questions about sin and the depth of God’s love for her. We hope she is encouraged in the knowledge of the victory that we have in Christ. The theme of winter camp is survival. May each camper come to know that we are more than conquerors in Him!

Because of the Trees

2011-01-21T11:39:00.000-07:00

I knew it. I did it anyway but I knew it. The skill is in the interviewer after all. If I could just ask the right questions, come at it from the right angle, these kids would say exactly the perfect profound thing and people would be handing over their life savings to send a kid to camp. The world would be forever changed! That was my hope anyway. After introducing themselves and their “babies,” Anna, whose doll is named Anna, and Katie, the older of the two sisters who is fond of wearing pink prairie dresses, followed me up to the camp’s gift shop so we could grab some Prescott Pines t-shirts and get a chance to just talk. I told them my plan - how I was just going to throw the camera on them and talk just like we were talking now. Simple. No gimmicks. I wanted this to be as natural and genuine as possible. Those promos where kids are clearly fed the right answers seem so cut and paste. Now we were ready. The camera was positioned. The girls were posed. The warm-up questions had been asked.

“So tell me your favorite thing about camp.”

“Everything.”

“What was one thing you liked best?”

“I don’t know.”

“What kinds of things did you do at camp?”

“Swimming, games, singing, eating.” A little better at least the response was longer than three words.

“Why do you like to go to camp?”

“It’s soooooooooooo fun.” Dramatic pause hoping she will continue.

“Do you learn anything at camp?”

“We learn about God.”

“What about God?”

“I don’t know.” I just need to go for it. Time to just get to what I am after.

“Do you think every kid should be able to go to camp?”

“Yes!”

“Why?”

“Because it is fun!” She is nine years old. Remember she is nine years old.

“Some kids can’t come to camp. Do you know why?”

“They’re scared.”

“Any other reason?”

“I don’t know.”

“Well some of them can’t come because they don’t have enough money. How could we get these kids to come to camp?”

“Give them money.”

“So how do we get people to give money?”

Blank stare.

“Why should they send a kid to camp?”

“Because it’s soooooo fun!” Time for a new approach.

I excitedly tell Anna, the real girl, and Kate that they are directors who are making a commercial to send kids to camp. (First we needed to explain what a commercial was. The girls don’t watch tv.) Then I told them I was sending them to a special place to come up with three ideas. This way their creativity wouldn’t be stifled. (They wanted to know what stifled meant.) I introduced the- da-da-da-da -Creativity Booth! (It was the sound booth in the back of the chapel.) They girls excitedly ran up the three steps and ducked down. A few minutes later, they were running back.

“We have an idea!”

“Yes, yes, what is it?”

“If you come to camp, you get a free t-shirt!” Oh.

“Girls, that is great for kids! But what about adults? Why would they want to send a kid to camp?” Back to the creativity booth they went and few minutes later, a new idea.

“We got it! We got it! If you send a kid to camp, they will forget about their parents!” The laughing is almost unstoppable. I am left wondering. Again, time for a new approach.

“Anna, this will be your first time to camp, right? Katie, you went last summer. Anna, how about you ask your sister all the questions you have about camp?” They stand in front of the camera again. I nod my head and they begin.

“So Katie, you say you go to chapel at night and sit on benches. Are they normal benches like in a park?”

“Yes.”

“What color are they?”

“Brown.”

“Like normal brown? Like a tree trunk or like mud?”

“A tree trunk.”

“Oh. What did you do with your hair?” Really. This is important.

“I wore a braid.”

“Like in two braids? Or one braid?”

Now the mother steps in. She wants to know if she can help prompt the girls behind the camera. She shares all that Katie shared with her upon coming home from camp and knows what I am trying to get at. So she begins.

“Katie, when did you go to chapel?”

“At night”

“What was above you?”

“The sky.”

“Was there anything in the sky?”

“Darkness.”

“Anything in the darkness?”

“No.”

“No? No twinkling things?”

“Mom! We couldn’t see the stars!”

“Why not?

“Because there were trees!”

“Oh trees. Lots of trees?” Maybe we should just feed them the answers.

If she wanted her daughter to say “Camp is a place where you can experience the wonders of the outdoors and the mystery and greatness of the natural world” it was not going to happen. She is nine. I knew it. I know better. I even train our staff here for our Outdoor Education program on the levels of cognitive thinking and the kinds of questions we can ask as teachers. In the end, I put Mom on camera and she talked about the impact of camp on her daughter. When it comes down to it, at this nine year old point in their lives, they come to camp because it is fun. Soooo fun. And that’s enough. It’s later in life when the impact really comes forth. When the realities of life are longer than a one word answer, when the questions are deeper than color, it is in these moments that having sent a kid to camp will be empowering. I know it.

Laughing from Head to Toe

2011-01-14T15:37:00.000-07:00

Tristan, our new intern, and I have been laughing most of the afternoon. He is searching the Ultimate Camping website for skits that we can pull together as a resource. As a camp counselor during the summer of my junior year, I know the agony of coming up with a skit week after week. Maybe not agony but it definitely was a challenge. My favorite skit though was one that really hit a deep truth with the kids. It had to do with the temptation of sin.

It went something like this. On the stage is a bench with a sign, “Don’t touch.” The first kid walks by unaware but then immediately returns and takes a second look. He reaches out and touches the bench. Trying to remove his hand, he realizes he is stuck. A second camper walks by and the first kid tries to pretend like there is no problem. Confused, the second camper walks slowly on but keeps looking back. When he realizes the other camper is stuck, he laughs at him. In a fit of hilarity, he puts his hand on the stuck-kids shoulder and then becomes stuck himself. A third camper enters the scene and then a fourth, the scenario plays out in a similar way – playing with the sign, laughing at it, even trying to help the campers become unstuck and themselves getting stuck. Finally, someone with a Bible enters the scene and points to a few verses. They all pray together and are free. As they leave the stage, one runs back and turns the “Don’t touch” sign over so it now reads “Sin.”

I was thinking about this skit even as I left the office to help paint the Hilltops. Just so you know, I am a terrible painter. To welcome us, the camp staff generously painted our place. Ben, my husband, relegated me to the inside of the closet. After an hour of painting, he maybe has one drop on his hand where I am covered with color literally from head to toe. So as I was painting the brown trim of the doorways this week, I found myself frustrated with the stray paint that insisted on getting on the white walls. At first, when I carefully wiped up the paint with the wet rag, I was successful in removing any trace. But as the rag itself became more and more saturated, I ended up smearing even more paint on the pure walls. This made me think of the skit and the nature of sin. Only that which is clean makes clean. Thank God for our Savior who covers us from head to toe! May this thought bring you the kind of laughter that only comes from the awareness that you are free -joyfully,colorfully, truly, free!

A Heating Tunnel, a Christmas Robe, and a Camp Perspective

2011-01-04T08:50:00.000-07:00

Ben stepped on the gas but our fuel-efficient car went nowhere. The small bank of snow piled up on the side of the road was just a little too much for her. (Yes, our car is a girl and we named her Goose but that is a different story). Giving up, we decided to grab the groceries and what luggage we could carry and trudge up the hill. We were anxious to get home after almost a full two weeks of travel plus it was getting late and we still needed to make dinner. The first snowfall of the season and we had missed it but there still remained a soft blanket of white that made the camp path lights seem even brighter. Home. We made it home.

Immediately, we cranked up the thermostat. I smiled at the almost frozen olive oil as I prepped the onions for the soup bundled in my wool beanie and down-vest. Ben, ever the engineer, constructed a warming tunnel under the blankets with the blow-dryer so that when we climbed into bed the shock of the cold wouldn’t be too overwhelming. Just as we were to fall asleep that night, I asked Ben to check on the kitchen faucet. Earlier there was no running water so I had done the dishes in the bathroom sink. Ben came rushing back into the bedroom quickly yet gracefully jamming his foot into his sock as he stood on one leg. (I have always been amazed by his balance when putting on his shoes and socks). “There is water everywhere! It’s coming out of the dishwasher.” I mumble something about just turning it off (it was never on by the way) as I didn’t want to get out of the perfectly heated bed. The next thing I know though I am anxiously scooping out the small flood on the kitchen floor with the dust pan in my new Christmas robe. When Ben returns from turning off the water heater, I comment that things like this happen to missionaries living in other countries, not here. “Welcome to camp, honey!” he smiles and continues to mop up the remaining water with our honeymoon purchased beach towel.

The next morning we returned to the camp office to resume work. It was the first time the staff had been all together since the celebration of the new year so Jim gathered us together to pray. Ben took the opportunity to tell the maintenance crew about our problem. Paul then shared with everyone about other busted pipes around camp and some of the damage. But we were thankful, very thankful. Welcome to camp. As we stood there to pray for the coming year, we all were very well aware of the state of the camp this time last year. The 2009 and 2010 storms have given us such a perspective. A camp perspective, you could say. Pray for the extraordinary, expect the unexpected, and be grateful come what may. Step on the gas and welcome to camp 2011.

A Camp Perspective – Blessings of 2010

100 new chairs

Individual and church gifts for our dining hall total over $42,000

Over $30,000 in the bank that covered the waste water treatment plant damage

Computer upgrade to Windows 7

Prescott First Baptist Church gave us a stove

An individual donated 200 gallons of outdoor paint

The Elks Theater donated lumber from their construction site

A washer and dryer was donated for staff housing

First Baptist, Tempe donated a commercial refrigerator for Frontier Village

A new generator for the waste water treatment plant

250 truckloads of dirt

Upgrading of Hilltop One and Three

Golf cart from Tucson Gospel Rescue Mission

Air hockey games (two tables)

Wood chips from Groom Creek Fire

New database

The welcoming of our interns – Danny and his wife Kaitlyn, Chris, and Tristan

Our awesome volunteer, Seth

New staff - Allen becomes the Program Coordinator, Ben the Outdoor Education Coordinator, and Sandra, the Communications Coordinator

Our new housekeepers – Juil and Tori

Laura, our Accountants Manager, got married and Doug joins our Prescott Pines family

And we celebrated 97 decisions for Christ

Stick Figure on Ascent

2010-12-20T08:24:00.000-07:00

Have you ever drawn out your life map? When I taught seventh grade, I would have my students sketch one. Their roads were highlighted with elementary school events and birthday celebrations complete with Crayola colored balloons floating above the path. Some roads would dip down. Age 5: Parents divorce. It was interesting to see their perceptions of their thirteen year old life trajectory – what they saw as really affecting it and where it was going. It would be interesting to create such a life map every five to ten years for comparison. How does understandings of life’s moments, their impact and influences, change over time – that party you weren’t invited to when you were eight might not be penciled in overtime but the rejection of a boyfriend in high school perhaps subconsciously influenced you to pursue a degree in counseling. Age 16: Broken heart.

The title of our camp blog is “Memories in the Making.” It is our hope that Prescott Pines is drawn on many such life maps. Age 8: Discovered Jesus’ Love. On my life map, camp would certainly be highlighted. There would be a sketched mountain top with a soccer ball at its base. Then me, as a stick figure, starting the ascent, with a little stick figure group behind me. Age 20: Camp Counselor. After that summer, I graduated with a degree in education. Years later, I served in China. Now I am working here. Age 33: Communications Coordinator Prescott Pines. As I consider all such events, that summer I severed as a camp counselor was one of the best of my life.

At Prescott Pines, all our summer workers are volunteers. When the season is over, we award scholarships. The fund is called “Servant’s Heart” and over the last three years, we have given $91,000 in one hundred and one scholarships. Many of our summer staff use the money for schooling but there are several who also put it towards ministry opportunities or spiritual growth like attending Acquire the Fire or Student Leadership University. This year a young woman is going to serve in Nepal and another is going to Cambodia. One young man even donated his scholarship to his church so that more children are able to attend camp. I would love to see their life maps and where the road will eventually lead. Each person’s life map intersects with others. As with our summer staff, we see the eternal impact we can have on one another. Our hope is that we are able to grant even more scholarships. Would you consider being a part of this work? Mark it on your map. Draw a heart around it and see where it will lead.