Dear First Half Staff,

Can you believe it’s Week 5? Did you ever think this day would come?

Opening day of Week 1, we said “no really- jump at least three phone books high! And smile!” You didn’t think it was possible. After all, every parent seemed to make the same joke, about it being “way too hot to jump today!” Yes, we must be crazy.

Then it started. You thought you wouldn’t ever like your camp name, but after the first group of campers kept repeating it and making you tell the story over and over, it became a part of you. A constant reminder of the things you will never forget from this summer.

Somewhere along the way, it clicked. Your second graders memorized all five verses by Friday. Not just that, but they were watching your every move. When you asked them what they wanted to be when they grow up, 70% of them said a Pine Cove counselor. You had life-altering conversations with elementary students about the gospel of Jesus Christ. Some of them had never heard. Some thought they were born a Christian, so why did they need to know Jesus?

Then you told them.

You showed them how to live a life of selfless devotion to the Lord and his people. They wanted to read their Bible more because they saw you reading it before they were allowed to get out of bed. They raised their hands during worship because they saw you singing to the King you love.

Last week a mom of a Castle Rock camper wrote us a letter to express her appreciation:

To hear both of my boys proclaiming their growth in Christ during this week gives me such a joy. The daily Bible studies were something I enjoyed hearing about each afternoon on the way home from day camp… My son Travis is praying about being baptized now, and that is something my husband and I look forward to. HUGE THANKS! … I pray that what these kids at your camp learn and experience during their week of camp will be a blessing to others that they come into contact with. Amazing job!”

Dear first half staff, well done. Remember this summer. Walk away different.

Full summer-ites, as you look toward the next half, remember the Lord’s faithfulness, and trust that it will continue! Dear second half-staff, I hope you are excited! The Lord has great things in store for you in the next six weeks. We cannot wait to see you!

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his powerthat is at work within us,to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”  -Ephesians 3:20-21