A big thanks.

Andrea McCorkle has been serving as our camp nurse for the last few years. It has been a true blessing to have a woman of God ready and on call throughout the day (and night!) to deal with our injuries, medications, and occasional emotional breakdowns. She has given her week, year after year, to ensure our health and safety remains. Able to kiss any boo-boo, Andrea will be dearly and deeply missed.

Our favorite quote from her is “I like to treat the whole patient, not just the hole in the patient.”

And we are very grateful.

We received this note of thanks from our camp doctor, Dr. Weber.

“Thank you for your service as camp nurse these many years. You have done a super job and you will be missed greatly by everyone in camp. We wish you the best in Kansas finding a new church and new set of friends. Come back and visit us and don’t be surprised if some wayward intercessors HOP over to see you from time to time.”

The Bean Teams- A Summary.

The 2008 Summer Camp Games came to a reluctant end this morning, but the laughter coming from Mobley Hall drowned out any tears we might have shed. A combination of quips from our Covingtonian hosts, miniature automobile collisions, and the literal ripping apart of current events off of opponents’ bodies created a celebration of sorts that made it easy to forget, if only for a few minutes, that this is the last full day of Camp. The Hummer Race combined the remote driving skills of both boys and girls from each team, who (somewhat successfully) weaved their cars through a series of beach balls. After two heated rounds of racing, making it into the final round were the Refried Beans and the Garbanzo Beans. The Garbanzos came through with a flourish, thanks to the talent of Hunter Chapman who successfully took out 11 beach balls using only his thumbs. Following this was an intense and highly-skilled combat, preceded by a highly effective demonstration from Cleetus and Wilbur. We were used to seeing Wilbur cry, but we didn’t know he was this much of a “sissy”. I guess it’s because we didn’t know he was a gal. Both champions (the Pinto girl and the Kidney boy) displayed brute force easily greater than Wilbur’s. Possibly Cleetus’. But definitely not Marie Dixie’s (she’s a plaid belt).

The final scores, and the overall winner of the KING BEAN, will be presented on Friday night at the Homecoming Service.

Monday

After too many students stayed up late on Sunday night, Monday morning came early. REALLY early for a large group of students and counselors, who met to pray in the prayer room beginning at 6am.

The bean team competition is getting intense. A round of volleyball four-square found the Pork & Beans team as the target for all the other teams. After a few rounds, and a game of fort building (blindfolded, of course), the teams were in a close race. Only 50 points separated the top and the bottom.

Teaching impact groups and leisure impact groups were all successful- the students all found their place pretty easily and enjoyed the ones they had chosen.

The evening service, again, was very blessed. Hopefully you have been able to view it with us live online either here or on riverstonesummercamp.tv. The worship was strong- Nic and his band did an excellent job ushering in the presence of the Lord. During our early prayer time, many people felt the Lord speaking to them about freedom from shame- that His heart, for the night, was to speak freedom from shame for our students. Kevin, the speaker, spoke about that topic exactly- talking about how Jesus is a "thrifter"- He looks for people who are broken, hurting, incomplete, not perfect. And those are the ones He chooses and loved deeply. This truth resonated deeply with the students and really impacted them.

Continue to pray for us. So many students are experiencing the true love of God- where is God leading us next?

Enjoy the pictures- there are over 75 in the three slide shows from the first two days of camp.

Sunday

What an amazing first day of camp! The students all arrived around 4pm and headed to their cabins. They were greeted by their counselors, a new tshirt, great friends, and a colored bandanna.

The teams for this year are all different beans. We have garbanzos beans, lima beans, pinto beans, baked beans, refried beans, kidney beans, jelly beans, and pork & beans. Each team will be decorating a huge cardboard can to use as their sign.

Our first game of the night was inspired by this video. But because we are at Summer Camp, and because our team theme is beans, we thought falling into water wasn't that hilarious- instead, the students fell into a pile of BAKED BEANS. It was awesome. The second game involved large green tricycles, bucket head helmets, and green beans. Pictures and video to come.

We are thrilled that our worship is being led again this year by Nic Slade and his band. As soon as the campers gathered together, and Nic began, the worship was awesome. The students engaged immediately and were singing their hearts out. It set the perfect stage for our camp speaker.

Kevin Queen is filling that roll this year. He spoke last night on being set apart. Set apart for Christ. Set apart from sin. Set apart for purpose. He also took some time to emphasize the importance of pleasing God, not just always saying, "Please, God:".

Cory led us, during ministry time, in praying together as a cabin. It was a great time for the new students to get connected, the counselors to pray over each student, and the students to join together before the Lord.

Then the rain came. Our evening activity was supposed to be a Nascar themed carnival. The carnival set up team has been working since Saturday morning and just like that, the event had to be canceled. Lucky for the students, most of the carnival activities were able to remain at camp today. So the campers will be going to the carnival at 2:30pm.

We will hopefully have more videos and pictures up for you later today or tomorrow.

Also, each night, the service will be broadcast live on the internet. You can come to this blog to view it.

As always, please feel free to come to camp any night for the service. The service on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday is at 8pm. On Tuesday, it is at 7pm.

Please continue to pray for us- the campers, the counselors, and the leadership. We believe that God is doing really BIG things in the lives of everyone here.

Check back often for updates, photos, and videos!!

Today's the start....

of something BIG.

Hope you are all packed.....

Hope you remembered your costumes....

Hope you remembered your soap......

Hope you are ready for what's in store this week.......

Now there's only one thing left to do.....

GO!

Confirmation Letter

Summer Camp Informational Letter

~ RULES ~

*Campers are expected to abide by all rules.

*Please leave cell phones at home. Any cell phones brought to camp will be taken up by cabin leaders and returned at the end of the week. Phones are available at Mobley Hall anytime for free calls home. Parents may reach their children by calling 770-786-6926 Ext. 3123 (Emergencies only, please!!!) We just do not want students being distracted by texting and calling each other.

* No campers should be out of their cabins after lights out. Male campers are never allowed in female cabins, and vice versa. Campers are never allowed to be in an unoccupied cabin. Any violation will result in immediate return home.

* Campers MAY NOT drive, or ride in, cars during the week of camp without permission from camp leadership.

* Smoking, drinking alcoholic beverages, or taking non-prescription drugs will NOT be tolerated. Any violation will result in immediate return home.

* The following items should NOT be brought to camp: Cell phones, radios (including clock radios), TV's, electronic games, CD, MP3, DVD players, iPods, fireworks, skateboards, etc.

* All medical issues or emergencies must be reported to Camp Medical Staff. All prescription medications will be turned in at registration and administered by Camp Medical Staff.

* All clothing must be modest. Girls – please bring one-piece swimsuits, only. Shorts should be modest in length. Tops should not have spaghetti straps or be halter style and should cover your stomach - no bare midriffs. Pajama pants should NOT be worn outside of the cabin. PLEASE use your best judgment in packing for camp.

~ TRANSPORTATION: Arrival and Departure ~

Bus Reservations:

If you have confirmed your bus reservation, you must ride both to and from the camp on the bus. Any cancellations MUST be approved by camp leadership and acknowledged by one of your parents. The bus loads from 12:45 - 1:15pm and will leave from RiverStone Church (2005 Stilesboro Rd. Kennesaw, GA 30152) at 1:30 p.m. SHARP, Sunday, June 29^th.

We are scheduled to load up at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, July 4th, for the return trip home. Please meet the bus at the same parking lot at 12:45 p.m. (The bus will not stop for lunch.)

If you are NOT riding the bus:

Plan to arrive at the camp between 3:00-4:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 29^th. Please do not arrive any earlier or later. Camp closes at 11:30 a.m. on Friday, July 4^th, and campers will NOT be allowed to leave early. Parents should arrive before 11:30 a.m. if camper is not riding the bus home.

~ DIRECTIONS TO CAMP ~

Take I-75 South to I-20 East. Go east on I-20 to Exit #93. Exit and turn right onto SR 142. You will go past Wal-Mart on your left as you continue on SR 142 toward SR 36. Turn left onto SR 36. (a gas station/convenience store will be on your right after you turn.) Go approximately 9 miles on SR 36 to State FFA-FCCLA camp which is on the left. (The entrance to the camp is easily identifiable by the small Guard House and large entrance sign.) Continue on entrance road approximately 1 mile. YOU HAVE ARRIVED!

~ SPECIAL EVENTS ~

* Obstacle Course:

Everyone will be participating in an obstacle course competition Tuesday night, and “disposable clothes” are recommended J

* Country Hoe-down:

Bring your country/western gear for a night of square-dancing, line dancing, and ghetto fabulous fun.

* Job Fair Dance:

What job did you want to do when you were little? Garbage man, Grocery Clerk, Police Man, Businessman??? Well, put on a uniform and come dance like it’s your job.

* Paint Ball:

If you want to play Paint Ball, please bring old long sleeve shirts, long pants and shoes to wear. Bring cash to purchase your paint pellets and CO2. Fee: $10 per round

* Horseback Riding:

All campers who want to participate in horseback riding MUST bring the enclosed permission form to camp with them and turn it in at check-in. You may NOT ride without this form! Fee: $10.00 per ride

~ Worship Service Schedule ~

Sunday night worship service begins at 7:00pm. Other evening Worship Services begin around 8:30pm on Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday nights.

Tuesday’s Evening Worship Service will begin at 7:00pm because of the obstacle course that night.

~ CHECK IN PROCEDURE ~

1. You will receive directions to the appropriate cabin upon arrival.
2. Report to your cabin and receive your name tag, camp shirt, and pay all outstanding fees. YOU MUST BRING A SEPARATE CHECK for each registrant to pay fees at his or her individual cabin.
3. If you are bringing medications with you to camp, you MUST turn these in to your Cabin Leader upon first arrival. Your Cabin Leader will in turn give these to the Camp Nurses. All medication will be distributed from the Nurses for the remainder of the week.

~ WHAT TO BRING ~

Everyone needs: BIBLE, notebook, pen, camp clothes (including messy clothes for obstacle course), tennis shoes or sandals, rain gear, costumes for special events, toiletries, sleeping bag or blanket and sheets, pillow, towels, wash cloths. Other items you may want to bring include: swimsuit (one piece suits only, ladies), flashlight, fan, camera, film, sunscreen, bug spray, baseball, glove, ping pong paddle, or tennis racket. You may want to bring money for the Snack Bar or Arts & Crafts Shop which will have items available during free time.

~ IMPACT GROUPS ~

Don’t forget to bring necessary equipment (guitars, tennis racquets, etc.) for the leisure impact groups you signed up for.

~ HOMECOMING SERVICE AND PICNIC ~

On Friday, July 4^th, at 6:00 p.m. we will have our Summer Camp Homecoming Service at RiverStone Church. Just prior to this service, we'd like all campers, camp staff, and their families to join us for a "bring your own picnic" at 5:00pm. Bring a blanket and/or some lawn chairs and enjoy good food, fellowship, and fun! Parents and siblings are encouraged to attend. This is a great time to meet your child's counselors and friends. Your family will also want to take advantage of the opportunity to experience what your students have been a part of all week. Please join us!

~ SUMMER CAMP SUNDAY SERVICE ~

All campers and their families are invited to join the RiverStone Worship Service on Sunday, July 6^th, at 11am or 9am. This is our opportunity to share camp experiences with the entire RiverStone congregation. You won't want to miss this conclusion to the camp week!

~ ANY QUESTIONS?!? ~

Call us. We would LOVE to help you! 678.384.5212 or 5213

What do YOU want to be when you grow up?

Start thinking about your outfit for the dance!