I am back from camp. The week was a good week.
I was in a cabin with 14 and 13 year olds. I was counseling the same kids for the past 3 years. The problem is that they are getting older and used to me. We are moving away from a mentor type relationship to a peer/friend type relationship. We’re all still on great terms. It’s just that the group dynamics have changed.
I’ll probably write more later on. It’s just I’m really tired right now and I’m not sure this entry would be coherent if I continued to write.

So its hard to let you know the hopes I have for this camp in one little weblog entry. Without sounding too cheesy. It is just a camp you know. But its so much more. Friendships are built. Sinners are coverted. Faith is strengthened. If I only make a difference in one person’s life this year, it will be at camp. I know that. And even if I don’t make one bit of difference, at least I tried.
More to come later.

I’m trying to come up with devotionals to do in the cabin each night. Nightly cabin devotionals aren’t an absolute requirement. But I do like to do them just to make the kids think.

• Sunday: I’m really just planning on introducing everyone and trying to set some goals for the week. One goal I’d like for them to have is to grow spiritually. The other goal is to get them to make friends with new people. If everyone does this, we’ll accomplish alot of good next week.
• Sharing My El Salvador experiences. It’ll be one of those “You are very blessed compared to other people” type sermons. The only problem is that when I heard these type of sermons when I was a kid, I never believed them. It didn’t fully sink in until China.
• The old race sermon from I Corinthians 9:24-27. I think they’ll be able to relate to this one.
• The old “Let’s work together – One church; many members sermon.” I’ve got a good object lesson to go along with this.
• If I can find some Jungle Juice, I’ll do the “Reach for Something Good” devo.

In addition to this, I am going to pick one kid to lead the prayer each night. I don’t think it is asking too much. These kids are going to be in 8th grade and they should be able to lead public prayers. If they are too embarrassed to do it, then I’m not going to twist their arm.
I’m really looking forward to next week. I hope I’ll be able to help alot of people.

I’m hoping for a good camp next week. And I’m certain it can be accomplished. I’m planning on doing my part. I’m already excited about it. Here’s what I’m trying to accomplish.

• Making sure each child knows that he/she is special. I’m going to try to meet each one of them.
• Better myself. I’ve been going through a rough time as of late. I need to come to a realization that I am a good person. I’m hoping this camp will let me know that I can say that in good conscious. Trying not to let anyone else tell me otherwise. This camp comes at the perfect time for me. It has alot of potential.
• Try to make sure that each and every camper returns next year. This is accomplished by making sure everyone has a good time.
• Grow spiritually. And make sure the campers themselves grow spiritually. I’ve got a few cabin devos planned. Hopefully everyone will listen and take it to heart.

What an awesome week next week will be. No doubt this will be the highlight of my year. I can tell already. To be a part of a group of people who genuninely like you as a person – that’s awesome.

For those of you wondering (and mostly for my records), here is the capacity for Taylor Christian Camp:
Boy’s Cabins:
Cabin 1: 12 (identical to cabin 6)
Cabin 2: 14 (identical to Cabin 4)
Cabin 3: 6 (made for cooks; also contains 2 ceiling fans)
Cabin 4: 14
Cabin 5: 10
Cabin 6: 12
Cabin 7: 10
Girl’s Cabins:
Cabin 8: 12 (made for cooks; also contains 2 showers and 2 toilets)
Cabin 9: 12 (ramp outside)
Cabin 10: 8 (One of the older red cabins)
Cabin 11: 12
Cabin 12: 12
Cabin 13: 10 (another older red cabin)
Cabin 14: 10 (ramp outside, red cabin)
Cabin 15: 16
Main cabin sleeps 8 downstairs
That leaves a total of 92 girls and 78 boys….leaving a grand total of 178 counting the 8 on the main cabin. With room to expand….

I delievered that fixed computer back to the camp caretaker yesterday. He works at an animal clinic. While I was there, he wanted me to solve another computer problem. This one consisted of “We have an update on this CDR, but we can’t get it to read it.” Solution: Write another CDR because this one is obviously not written properly. (I tried it in 2 different computers and neither could read it).
Also while I was there, I got to witness and a spay and neuter on 2 different dogs. Pretty nasty. Makes me not want to get an animal.
So while I was in town, I sanded the bunks at camp to get rid of the graffiti on them. The oldest graffiti I saw was from ’98. So I didn’t shed too many tears over it. Most was from 2002. Hopefully this will put a stop to it.
And girls seem to leave their mark more often than guys. That cabin 15 had tons of graffiti on it. And it’s usually the cabin that has the high school girls on it. Whereas I only had to clean off one bunk in the boys’ cabins.
I did find some graffiti from MJ’s retreat up there. So I’m pondering what to do about it. Given my current status, I doubt much will be said. Still it is bothersome to have kids doing that. Why the double standard? Why is it ok to leave your mark at a church camp, but not ok to do the same thing in your own church or your own home?
Anyways the sander did good. I know it wasn’t that big of a deal. It won’t stop it. A couple of guys showed up from Simpson County trying to lay out the soccer field and nature trail. I mentioned what I was up there doing and they said it was the least of their problems. But thanked me for my help.
The water slide still isn’t done. I’m beginning to have doubts on whether or not it will get done. Maybe I’ll be proven wrong.
So it was nice and peaceful at camp. Very calming. It reminded me that what makes camp isn’t the facilities necessarily, although it can play a role in building up memories. It’s the people. Otherwise you’re just left with an empty set of cabins with no one.
I saw Matrix Reloaded with Brian, Daniel, Cody, and John and a couple of other people. I still don’t get the movie. Must be way over my head.

I did bring back some interesting archives from the retreat. Like this leftover photo album. Apparently the pictures are from a Tina Jackson of Whitleyville, TN. I did a reverse lookup via the internet on this individual, but there’s no Tina Jacksons in Whitleyville. Must have gotten married and/or moved away. Anyways I’m poundering what to do with these pictures. I felt sure the name and address I found on one of the pictures was valid. But apparently not. If I could somehow find a reverse lookup on the address….. But alas it’s too much trouble just for these pictures. Perhaps I should scan some and put them up here…in case the owner stumbles upon this website….
The pictures aren’t too old. They’re marked with dates as late as May 2001. I feel pretty sure she is still around.
Then there’s the Bible I found. The Bible of Kevin Williams of Lebanon, TN. Used to go to church with us. I’m pretty sure its his Bible. Must have left it at camp 10 years ago. It’s not unusual. I found Scott Burka’s Bible at the same camp a full 5 years after it was left.
Kevin was an interesting fellow. His first (and apparently only) time at summer camp he brought a TV. Hear that folks: a TV. And the camp rules specifically said “No electronic devices.” This was huge deal back then…for some reason. A TV at camp. Nowdays it’s not unusual for a kid to bring a complete entertainment system to camp. I’m not sure what he thought he was going to pick up. Maybe that ABC station in Bowling Green. Otherwise it was a big huge useless device. Useless until our counselor confiscated it and later used it to watch the camp video on the last night. Goodness. The things kids bring to camp.

Our El Salvador mission report was last night. Personally I think we assume that the congregation knows alot more than what they do know about these trips. Start from the beginning. Explain as if they haven’t ever heard of the country of El Salvador.
Anyways they asked me to do the opening prayer, which I royally messed up (I felt) but the rest of the congregation either wasn’t listening or didn’t care.
Some final thoughts about this retreat. Friday night I was put in a situation which I did not want to be in. It took a bit of convincing, but finally a compromise was reached. The powers that be may loathe me for this compromise. Mayhaps I’m just living with ghosts of the past. Or maybe I’m just trying to keep the peace. Apparently others didn’t blame me, either.
Saturday night they played capture the flag. Again, another game which I don’t participate in, simply because I am not athletic and don’t see what the big deal about this game. But it was kinda intreging. Such as the vastness of the darkness. The empty field. The long explanation of the rules. I think an empty field is better than anything Short Mountain can offer. Capture the flag at Short Mountain causes chiropracters to pull hamstrings.
I’m gonna take an electric sander to that graffiti in the girls cabins. The graffiti seems to be written recently with lame “Retreat 2002” written abundantly. The wood is unpainted and the graffiti easily sands off. I figure an electric sander + extension cords = no graffiti.
With no graffiti around, budding artists will be less likely to draw on them. Leaving your mark on someone else’s property is just lame.
I did find the answer to what $96K buys these days. The basement of the main cabin looks great. I was promised a conference room, but it was more of a waiting area in the main hallway. That’s where the leather couch and chair were. Nice bathrooms too. Unisex. You couldn’t tell who’s they were. Utility rooms behind every door…seemingly.
They did get their money’s worth with this expenditure. It was needed. New windows and doors on the main cabin. I won’t miss those screened-in doors that had a distinct slamming sound.
While everyone else was cleaning up, John and I drove down to the creek to see if we could scout out any good place to hang a rope swing. There wasn’t anything that distinctly stood out in my mind. All I could see was poision ivy. I hope for a better solution. John and I agreed to meet up again about this rope situation once the weather (and the temperature of the creek) was warmer.
P.S. Josh Hunter has put up a new discussion board. The Burkas are posting there. Interesting.

Somethings always wrong I guess. But it was a good retreat over all.
I arrived early. 2PM. The caretaker has an ancient computer chugging along with Windows 95…..probably needs Windows 3.1 back on it. Now I know why this computer was given away. Trashing a bunch of programs didn’t clear up its half gig hard drive. Another newer, yet broken computer is available. I’ve brought it home with me in hopes that my brother-in-law can lay hands on it for healing. Apparently the hard drive isn’t recognizable.
Friday night I had a decision to make. Either I could stay grumpy the entire weekend or I could have a good time. After my Scottsville friends arrived it wasn’t hard to decide to have a good time. Jess, Rachel, and Tabitha were there. Smiling faces. Mingling.
Anyways the green t-shirts are the best. Its the type of green that is my favorite color. Somewhere between yellow and green, but more green than yellow. Slimer color.
Afterwards I went to Allen County’s band concert today. The kids requested my presence. It was good. I had no idea Jessica was so talented. She received alot of awards for her dedication to band. She’ll go far these days.
Still, it was kinda strange to be in the same high school auditorium which only a few years back had hosted the funeral for Elizabeth. Her presence wasn’t lost either. The band played songs written by a cancer patient. They gave out the Elizabeth Stone award to a band student.
I’m pretty tired. I’ll write more later on, pending any empty threats.

They tell me $96,000 worth of improvements have been put into Taylor Christian Camp since last year. I guess we’ll see what $96K buys these days. Probably a deer head, air conditioning and alot of other improvements. I’ve been told what they’ve done to it. I’m anxious to see it for myself.
So I’m driving up early to help the caretaker with their computer problems. One of those “We got a used computer but don’t know what to do with it” type of problems. Those happen all the time. I search around for internet service providers in the area, but they’re not so sure they’re ready for the internet just yet.
I’ll probably stop and have lunch in Scottsville…Subway most likely. My stomach might not be able to take anything else. Montezuma will have his revenge. Supper might be hard to find. A 20 minute drive back to Sville might be in order.
Anyways I’m teaching the high schoolers (a first for me, at least among this group). I’d rather not teach. Mainly because there are so many people who can do it much better than I can. I hate my inability to teach. To easily look stupid in front of people.
No updates through this weekend. I’ve got to give you a break somehow.
P.S. The beard is gone.