Camp Reflections

Back in the office after a week of camp, a crazy weekend, and a Monday off.....lots to do but wanted to sit back for a bit and just reflect on some things from camp.

Brad Fogarty did a great job as camp pastor. I had never heard him before last week, and was impressed with his ability to communicate truth in a very up front, honest way but yet had the kids total attention. No gimmicks....just biblical teaching.

Crazy hot all week. I think Zephyr must be latin for equator. Free time was normally spent in the pool, pond, or cabins.

Of course, camp food is always one of the most scrutinized things of the week....and in this case...rightfully so. The portions were soooo small. I'm thinkin' weight watchers must use this facility for their annual conventions. Each meal could not have contained more than a dozen points. It was ridiculous!!

Our kids really enjoyed their family groups. I've heard them speaking about the relationships they formed with kids from the other churches there and I was really pleased they didn't just stick to each other the whole week.

Jeremy Lewis and his crew from Central Baptist College Station did a great job of organizing things. Being a camp director is a much harder job than most people know, and he did a great job.

Our kids are pretty incredible. This was the first time we had done
middle school and high school together at the same camp. I loved
watching the high school kids take on some leadership and mentorship roles with our middle schoolers. We also had some great chaperones with us that really made a huge difference in the camp experience.

Rental vans....$2,400
Snacks for the ride.....$20
Middle school boys going shirtless on the ride home.....Priceless!

The Man Game; Happy Butts; The Animal Game.....just ask the kids.

These are just a few things. You can check out a ton of pics on facebook, and the video will be coming soon. I could sit and write all day about the great week we had, but I have to get busy catching up and preparing for this weekend. Our senior pastor is actually giving his pulpit to the student pastor this weekend, so I'm preaching the main services. I'm really looking forward to that opportunity.

44 days till kickoff....Cowboys v. Raiders....How bout them Cowboys!!?

I'm out....

Talent Shows and such....

Camp talent shows....why? Every year...this event is placed as the headlining late nite activity. Not sure when that started, but I'd like to punch that guy in the throat.

Day 4 Highlights:

1. Our church group times have rocked all week.

2. Two foreign exchange students singin "don't stop believin'"....acoustic

3. The legendary happy butt has made it's return.

4. 3rd place finish in dodge ball tourney

5. Great message out of Colossians 2 tonite!

Looks like we're gonna be getting Brad for Focus this year. Pretty excited about that.....

I'm out.....

Hot!!!!

It is stupid hot down here! Rec time got messy with some great games, and most of the kids spent their freetime in the water. They're really liking Brad Fogarty (camp pastor). Day 4 is about to get underway so here are some highlights from day 3:

1. The message last night really struck a chord with the kids. They can't stop talkin about it.

2. So Daniel...one of the quietest kids here...shares that he doesn't like to talk in front of people, but then proceeds to preach a gospel message to the whole group, quoting scripture and all...it was great! The kids loved it!

3. Will's truffle shuffle dance at pool side followed by an award winning belly flop!

4. Tye screaming like a girl when I came out at him from between bunks, barking like a dog, in the dark....HILARIOUS!!

I'm sure day 4 has some great things in store...

I'm out

Gender Wars and other camp stuff...

Wired Camp '09

Day 2 Highlights.....

1. Great message from Brad Fogarty tonite. Expecting God to do great things instead of just anticipating...good word.

2. Chocolate milk game during rec....greatness!

3. Firewheel volleyball team 3rd place.

4. Gender Wars!! Boys win! Jonathan Dunham makes Firewheel proud by shooting a cocoa puff 12 feet.....out of his nose. Video footage
coming soon.

Day 2 in the books....great week so far!! Pics on facebook.

I'm out!

And so it begins....

And so day 1 is down and we are starting day 2 of Wired Camp '09.

Day 1 highlights:

1. Drive down...long but good. No problems, sicknesses....just a good number of bathroom stops.

2. We were the first church here so we win!

3. The Man Game...invented by a few of our guys. 2 boys stand on opposite ends of the cabin and throw a shot put sized, heavy rubber ball
at each other. Man parts are covered...chest hits are highest scores. Played with or without shirts. Yes there is video footage.

Breakfast starts soon so more updates later.

I'm out.

A Tribute to.....

There are so many things I like about summer. Kids out of school, camp, mission trips, vacation...just too many things to list. One of the Schmidt family favorites though is the concert at the harbor nights in rockwall. We love going to concerts anyway, but free is even better. We'll hit a couple of big shows a summer, but hardly ever miss a Thursday night at the harbor.

Last night we saw Blaze of Glory....a Bon Jovi tribute band. There are a lot of tribute bands that play out there this summer (Voodoo Blue, Petty Theft, Life in the Fast Lane), but after last night I started thinking about a few things.

Thanks to the movie Rock Star, and stories like that of Arnel Pineda (lead singer of Journey) everyone thinks that they have a chance at really being the person they are playing tribute to in their band. Blaze of Glory is a good band, and the guy sounds quite a bit like Jon Bon Jovi....but he's not! No matter how hard he tried...no one believed they were actually watching Bon Jovi. But I bet there were thousands of people that went to their cars, homes, etc...and popped in their favorite Bon Jovi cd, mp3, whatever and rocked out to the real thing.

As far as tribute bands go, if you're gonna call yourself a tribute to anyone...you better be able to bring it! Next week we're going to watch Voodoo Blue (Stevie Ray Vaughan tribute)....if they can't bring it, and bring it good.....it could get ugly.

It did get me thinkin' on a spiritual level also though. As a Christ-follower am I bringing it every day? Do people see my life and know who I'm trying emulate, or am I a terribly lame copy? Am I paying tribute to the God who has rescued me and set me free, or am I just pointing people to me?

We're charged with using our lives as examples, salt and light, to lead others into a relationship with Christ. I can't be Jesus, but I can encourage people to go and seek the "real thing" by giving them a good look at how He has impacted my life and influenced me.

Random Thoughts

Is this shirt really necessary?
Am I the only person that knows someone that resembles each character on the show King of the Hill?


Where is Howard Jones?
I'm out!