Junior Camp 2012

We used to go to Junior camp with the children and counselors of Lavon Dr Baptist Church. Bill and I were the Camp Dad and Mom for several years, and even after we relocated to Kansas City, MO we continued to return each year until budget constraints just made it impractical. But this year as we were in Dallas for the Addison, TX "KaBOOM Town" 4th of July events we actually parked the rig on the campus of Lavon Dr Baptist church.  Our hosts were very generous to us and we were greeted by our dear former children's pastor Robby Greene.
My hubby and I regard Bro Robby very highly and think he is one of the brightest and most talented young pastors we have known. His love for God is shown by his incredible love and compassion for the unchurched in this area. "Bus" kids have gotten the cold shoulder from many church members for years all around our country, but not here. This church's out reach to the lost and needy families around them is extraordinary. This year there are over 350 children and counselors at camp. Many of the counselors and support staff have paid their own way, and taken their family's vacation time to be here ministering to children. Bro. Robby has presented this ministry year after year to this church, he has preached and pleaded, and literally shaken the bushes for donations to send as many children to camp. Children whose families either could not or would not make the sacrifice to send their child to a week of Bible camp.

The kids have a great time, they are all well fed with really good food, they are loved by caring adults, and the preaching is really great and the messages are pointed to discipleship, personal growth, and character.

There is a lot of fun going on around here too. There are lots of games, no kick ball here. They play capture the flag at night in the dark, three legged race with a bit of a twist and one with inner tubes and sometimes people get water ballooned. The games are very  challenging  and these kids fall into bed at night, very tired. No one gets bored around here.
For free time there is pool time, archery, zip line, paint ball and the most fun, the blob . Canoes and fishing is also available.

Kids participate in Bible quizzing, Sword drills and a memory verse challenge.

Robby Greene with his unique vision for children puts on quite an outstanding program. Many decisions are made at camp each year. It is pretty amazing. We stopped coming about five years ago and this year we are seeing counselors who were campers when we left. That is the hand of God on the life of a young person yielded to the will of God with the intention of giving glory to God.

I am so proud to be asked to come this year and just be able to observe what is different and new and to see what is still the same. The singing is still spirited, the challenges are still crazy and fun and the activities are still just as stimulating as ever, and these children light up when Bro Robby comes in to speak to them. It is pretty thrilling.

I will tell more about camp tomorrow. Here is a picture of the spirit award, Sammy. The kids have such a great time with Sammy, you would think he was something special, I guess he is.

Donna