Taking the Family to Camp

As a youth minister, my family usually does not get to attend long, weekend trips. So, it was a joyful blessing when they got to tag along this past weekend to a rally held at our summer camp...Nebraska Youth Camp. Not only did I want my boys there just for their presence, but also so they could start to enjoy camp the way I've enjoyed it. For those in youth ministry, it's a great idea to take your kids to "work" and make sure they enjoy being with you during ministry activities. Church offices should be family friendly. Hopefully, the other staff at your church loves your kids and shows it when they come to visit. But, back to camp... We decided to hike around the large pond. Fischer discovered a small dock that I had never seen. Milkweed, caterpillars and monarch butterflies were scattered all over the side of the path. Birds and squirrels jumped playfully from tree to tree. A fish leaped out of the water as if it had legs. The pathway itself was small, but clear...until we reached the northeast corner. "Ouch! Honey, there are stickers," my wife said calmly. Fischer noticed some on his pants. "Daddy, help me!" I picked them off and we continued. Tracy screamed. She had stepped on a sticker. Yes, she was wearing flip flops. No, I don't know why! This startled Fischer, who looked down at his own pants again and found more stickers. He proceeded to roll up his pants and found a dozen more on the inside of his pants. His face immediately went red and he started to cry. "Oh, nooooooo!" "Fischer, let's just keep going..." "I can't...we'll never make it!" he droned. "Fischer, it's OK..." "SOMEBODY SAVE UUUUUUUUUUUUUSSSSSSS!!!" I don't have to tell you that we survived the evil, sticker monsters. Other than that, they kids thoroughly enjoyed the camp. Dirt to play in, tetherballs to hit, swings, a pond with some rocks that are great for throwing, and a bunch of teenagers to give them attention. Stickers aren't really a problem in the summer. So hopefully the boys won't be too scared to go to camp on their own in a few years!