We spent 4 weeks this summer at Young Life's Saranac Village in upstate New York. I was a work crew boss. Ben helped with program, music and anything else that needed done. Our kids had the time of their lives.
Here's the thing. Ministry for us is a family affair. There are a lot of ups and downs that come with that. Some of ups and downs the kids recognize now, some they don't, and some I'm sure they will later. But a definite perk of being a YL staff kid is spending a month of their summer at Young Life camp. Below are pictures in no particular order of the month.
Susie was my kids stand-in mom for the month. Our kids are neat friends and we usually do life together for the month. She just added my kids to the fold and went about their days.
Wilson Ward was attached to his mom most of the month. Sophie endured a lot of rejection from him through the fist several weeks. But eventually won his affections. (Note: Wilson and his sister, Annie, are the same age my kids were the last time we had an assignment with their parents. It was my worst assignment ever. It was a sweet moment to see my kids with hers and see where we could help.)
Emma did a princess tea for the girls. They brought dresses, tiaras, did their hair and make up, had tea and read them a book about being God's princesses. The girls wore their stuff for the rest of the month of a regular basis.
Evidentally, the boys wrestled and threw things and went shirtless while the girls were all dolled up. I missed this day so I'm just going with what the pictures say.
Movie night in the club room.
Ben got to join the other moms at the beach.
Sophie and Mary helped at the craft shack.
Sometimes they would watch club from the leaders lounge. This is Sophie taking notes on the club talk. Our goal is for them to hear each days talk at least once in the month.
AJ was the summer staff coordinator (the oldest one in the picture; back row middle). The kids loved him. A couple of the parents volunteered to go through the course with them. But the kids voted for AJ to be their leaders.
Before
After
AJ also had a special performance of a killer magic trick.
A captive audience. Even Andrew didn't ask any questions it was so good!
A rare moment at the beach with the other spouses. This is what I missed the most, time with these women.
The oldie's night tableau is an absolute highlight for the kids to be part of.
Annie & J even got in on the action.
And country night with the kids on stage . . .
I liked outdoor meals because I could come eat with my family. Work crew usually eats before or after the rest of camp, and I missed meals with my family.
The very last day the a-team kids that were 8 years and older got to the ropes course. First year for Miles and David. They all killed it!
Love
There was lots of apology notes that went around. I saved the note AJ wrote me apologizing for making fun of my nachos, and now I can't find it. Ahhhhhh!
And there were boat rides and boat driving and lake jumping.
Mary always gets the biggest fish.
Molly, Nikki & Caroline with the kids. They loved and played with the kids too and the kids loved them.
The day we were supossed to parasail it was too windy. So we took a ride around the lake and the kids got to drive Annie, the parasail boat.
Every Day 7 after campers left, we had a huge family wiffle ball game. Total highlight!
Town day with Susie:
The hover board was a fun addition this year!
Bethany walking to the beach through the work crew welcome!
And Sarah. It's always helpful to be cheered for!
The first two weeks were cool and rainy. Ben got in on the action with some game playing.
AJ & Molly and the kids. It was hard to say good bye!
There's something special about being an kid on assignment. And there's something special as a parent when other adults love on your kids, invest in and engage with them, and are a shining example of Jesus. It's fun and hard to parent and live life together. It sanctifies and refines us all.
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