Junior Camps 2013

It was another full summer. We saw good numbers of campers come out to camp from a variety of communities - some new to us at Arrowhead. One of the greatest challenges we often face at ANBC is the need for volunteers to come along side of us and serve during our summer camps. This year we often felt the "crunch" as we planed our weeks activities. It is always a blessing to see who the Lord directs to join us and just how He builds His team for ANBC. We no longer worry about what we will have for volunteer staff, as we know that He will be faithful to provide just the right team - even if wee feel it is too small or too large. This summer it was humbling to see God work in peoples lives and provide for the ministry here. Everyone worked hard, and although there were challenges, he provided us with the wisdom and patience to overcome every hurdle. The gospel was clearly taught each week and relationships were formed.

Something new that we tried this summer was a refocusing of our "chapel" times - which we call "Gathering". I feel that it is a vital part of our camp day, partnered with the "Cabin Talk" time - which is our cabin devotions component to camp. I've felt that both of these elements have been getting a bit lost in our daily routine so we renovated the schedule to make the emphasis be on these events. We completely overhauled the gathering time to be more of a VBS format - encompassing between 90 and 120 minutes twice a day. We were a bit unsure as to just how this would work, but we included a number of elements that kept it moving - it wasn't a stale 2 hours for 2 hours sake - it was a time filled with games, music, teaching, Bible memory, drama, puppets, narrative, prizes & illustration. Each Gathering had a theme and all of the elements pointed to that theme each time. There was a risk that we would lose the campers - but that was not something we encountered at all throughout the summer. The new program seemed to work quite well. Each Gathering time would introduce the campers to a scripture memory verse and a narrative - a story that pointed to the theme for that gathering. When gathering ended each time - the campers would go with their cabin leaders directly to their cabins and have cabin talk time. There, they would answer any questions that may have arisen, look again at the narrative from gathering and work on scripture memory. All of these elements reinforced the teaching and gave the cabin leaders the opportunity to have a good quiet time with the campers and talk about the things that were engaging them.

This summer we were without a lifeguard for our last two weeks of camp. I was afraid the campers would mount a coup when they learned that they wouldn't be able to swim. But they were remarkably content to play water games on dry land. We had lots of fun and tried to keep everyone wet and cool. Filling some of our critical roles can often be a challenge - in conjunction with striving to fill these positions - I will also be actively seeking 4 churches that will commit to sending a ministry team of 12 people for a week in 2014.

Here are a few shots from our junior camps 2013! Thanks so much for your prayers and support - it has been a wonderful summer.

positions to fill!

Well, here we are. Volunteer weekend is just three weeks away and we continue to labour to connect with those who would serve the Lord in cross cultural ministry this summer. There are still several critical positions that we need to fill in order to safely and adequately operate our weeks of camp.

Lifeguard and Lifeguard assistant • We are still in need to confirm a head lifeguard for the first two weeks of August for 2 of our junior camps. I am also seeking to find an individual who is bronze medallion who could come and serve as assistant to the lifeguard for all 4 weeks of on-site camp.

Camp Medic • We are in need to confirm a camp medic for the last week of camp, August 12-16. Our camp medic needs to be someone who is "First Responder" trained or better... might be a great opportunity for a doctor to serve the Lord!

Cabin Leaders • We are still in need of mature believers who are willing to come and serve as cabin leaders. It is a misconception that this is a role for teenagers. Many of our Sr. Cabin leaders are in their 20's-40's. It is a great opportunity and you will be blessed by the opportunity.

Head Cook • For our last two weeks of camp we will be needing to have a head cook (or duo) who are willing to come and serve with us in the kitchen.

If the Lord is leading you to share this need or even to come yourself and serve, there are many ways in which you can serve, you may be surprised just what a blessing it can be to share with us at ANBC. Get in touch with us to find out how you can best serve.

Below is a list of weeks in which we have staffing needs.

• June 28-30 • Summer Volunteer Training
• July 8-12 • Teen Camp
• July 15-19 • Junior Camp Week 1
• Aug. 5-9 • Junior Camp Week 2
• Aug. 12-16 • Junior Camp Week 3

keeping us clean

This past Sunday, Liz and I had the pleasure to be with the folks at Parkside Baptist Church in Moncton, NB. The Lois Winters Missionary Group spearheaded the collection of cleaning supplies for Arrowhead's summer camps! What a tremendous blessing to have our van filled with these items as we left! Thank you so much for your kind and faithful gifts.

This week we have begun to build our summer programs. We are making some exciting changes to our summer camp programs and are looking forward to see how the Lord will use these them. Please continue to pray as this is a very busy time of year for us. The Lord always provides in amazing ways that leave us in awe of His Sovereign Grace!