Campfire!

As of tomorrow evening I will be beginning a week-long stint at Campfire! Summer Bible Camp. (Yes, the exclamation mark is an official part of the name.) Campfire! is an overnight children's camp run by my church (that is, Canadian Reformed). It runs for 7 weeks each summer, hosting a number of different week-long sessions for 5-7 year-olds, those between 8 and 12, and teens aged 13-16. I've volunteered a week or two each summer as a counselor for the past five years, and each time I enjoyed myself immensely.

Each counselor is paired with a co-counselor and is given responsibility for the care of 5 or 6 campers. About one third of the campers are from inner city missions in East-End Hamilton. The counselors lead their campers in devotions and activities, and look out for their physical, emotional and spiritual well-being. It can be an exhausting week physically (if you get over 4 hours of sleep each night you're doing well) but it is incredibly rewarding spiritually.

This summer I've been asked to serve as chaplain for a week, which changes everything. I'll have no little kids to chase after/keep my eye on, but instead must present a devotion for the counselors at 7:00 each morning and lead a 1 hour chapel service for all present three hours later. I'll also have a few more minor, organizational things to look after, but chapel and devotions are the main thing.

I'm not sure how being a chaplain will compare with being a counselor. I'll have a much shallower relationship with the campers, regretably, but get to spend more time working with the staff. I'll have more free time, but will need it to prepare for chapels and such.

I'm a little nervous. I know the camp routine, I've seen a lot of chapels, but I have absolutely no idea as to how well prepared I am for it all or whether I am prepared at all. I've written up a bunch of things to say, but don't know whether I have enough or if what I'm saying will connect with my audience. What I do know is I'm in for a challenging, rewarding time. It's not necessarily going to be an easy week, but it is going to be a fun one.