Saturday, August 27, 2016

ANBC Summer Camp Outs

Every summer we take a small group of teens on an off site camp out as a way to build into their lives in a more intentional discipleship focused way. We've found these to be profoundly useful camps and have seen some excellent results through them. This past summer, along with 3 volunteers, I took a group of teens camping in Cape Breton and then the following week another group (with some overlap) to Brier Island. For our second camp the intention was to camp at Kejimkujik National Park, but due to forest fires in the area we adjusted and went to Brier Island instead. Without a truck we were a little uncertain how our camp outs would work - but we had a friend of the camp loan us his truck for the Cape Breton trip and then we decided to only take a small group of guys for the second trip to Brier Island. At the end of the summer everything worked out for the best!

Both of these camps were wonderful opportunities and we continue to value them as extensions of our summer camp ministry here at Arrowhead.

BBQ on the road at SaltSprings Provincial Park. 

The gang at Annapolis Royal. 

One of my favourite things is to cook the breakfast! 

The gang at the Fortress of Louisbourg. 

Some of the guys fishing off fishermen's wharf at Brier Island, NS. 

We hiked half the island one day - our destination was that lighthouse in the background. It was a beautiful hike, we were all well tired that night. 

God's creation is beautiful.

Saturday, August 6, 2016

ANBC Summer Camps 2016

Arrowhead is best known for our summer camp programs. It is an aspect of the ministry here that we absolutely love and find such a huge blessing. This summer we hosted three weeks of on site camps here at Arrowhead; a teen camp and two subsequent weeks of junior camp. The new playground was a huge hit and was seldom not covered in kids. It was also amazing to have a volunteer lifeguard for our summer camps this year; Kyle Hubick did a fantastic job of keeping our waterfront safe!

As is the case at Arrowhead, we do not measure the success of our summer in a number of "decisions" or even in the number of campers we see through our door. We measure our success in two ways: 1 - was the Gospel clearly taught; and 2 - was there evidence that the Gospel was clearly understood. Conviction of the Holy Spirit and a rejection or submission to the Gospel is not our work, our work is to faithfully proclaim the Gospel and plead with young people to know God. This summer, even through some challenges, we saw the Gospel proclaimed and we did see God work in the lives of both our campers and staff volunteers. Please pray for those young people who left our property with the Word of God in their minds - that they would be pierced with conviction of their sin and the need for redemption.

Kirk was our guest teacher for Teen Camp, solid Gospel teaching as always. 

Tomahawk throwing was a new activity this year and it was a huge hit.  

Awesome to see us able to use our waterfront again. 

Serving up the yummy vittles.

Some of our summer volunteers. 

Jim serving up some tuck, makes him a popular guy! 

Our new archery program was a huge success this year. 

Announcements with Rick in the dining hall!

We were so blessed to have this family with us for our on-site camps! Rick served as our program co-ordinator for the summer and kept everything going! We love you Mittons!