Last Day of Summer Camp 2010

What an amazing year! Last night the prayer walk and reflection time afterwards was really something special. Lots of new campers as well as old veterans gave thanksgivings for camp. We had a light sprinkle but it dissipated as the night went on, and we had a roaring bonfire to keep us warm. Most of the campers gave thanks for all the work that the staff does to keep this camp rolling, and also gave thanks for the new friends they met and the ability to experience such a magical and holy week filled with true fellowship. We’re very sad to see camp come to a close, but all things must end, and really, every end is the beginning to something possibly even better than the last. As Luke read in the end of Lewis’ The Last Battle, we are moving further up and deeper in, thanks to all of the special things God has planned for us. We are very thankful to be able to see God here at camp in the hearts of all the young people and in nature all around us. Each year keeps getting better and better, as several campers pointed out last night, and we look forward to next year with great anticipation! Here are some photos from the past week:

Friday Evening Vespers

On Friday evening we had a vespers service instead of the typical Small Compline since we are having divine liturgy tomorrow morning. Fr. James prayed over and anointed the campers who are seniors, and then proceeded to anoint everyone with myrrh from the weeping icon of St. Nicholas as they left vespers. It was pretty cool. Check out some video clips from vespers. Fr. David Wey & Jonathan Wey Troparia & Kontakia Vespers: Oh Gladsome Light Fr. James Anoints the Seniors Fr. James Vespers Anointing

Counseling Groups

This year we decided to take a snapshot of each counseling group so the campers could look back and remember who was in their group. Find yourself in the following photo gallery, and feel free to download your counseling group photo and print it out or save it to your computer.

Fun Times At Mitchell Manor

Wow. What an amazing time we had at Mitchell Manor. The residents and staff were absolutely thrilled by our presence, as we showed up for songs and bingo for the second year in a row. This year, we sang a few familiar hymns and a few contemporary praise songs, and then the campers dispersed amongst the residents and got ready for bingo. There wasn’t a resident in the room who didn’t have at least two campers by their side. It truly was uplifting, and we’re thankful for the ability to be able to provide some excitement in their lives. We hope to keep this tradition up for years to come.

Wednesday Evening Dancing

This year we continued the tradition of dancing to Irish music and teaching the campers the semi-complicated, but not impossible, Virginia Reel. Every camper that was physically able took part, and judging from the video posted below, it would appear that they all immensely enjoyed it. I have to be honest, I was a little jealous that I had to record the event and could not take part, but then we wouldn’t have this wonderful footage, would we? So in the end it’s a win-win-win situation. We’ll be heading to Mitchell Manor today and hopefully we’ll have some good video to past later. For now, enjoy these excellent videos: