Kid's Connection Summer Camp

More Photos to Come!!!

2009-08-20T22:39:00.001-05:00

I'm sifting through about 800 pics taken at Kids Camp...and I will add them to each day's entry as soon as I can. Meantime, scroll down to Monday and Tuesday, and you will find pics and highlight videos. :)

FRIDAY

2009-08-19T14:19:00.002-05:00

The week has come and gone. And what a week it was! But we couldn't leave the campgrounds without enjoying one last worship service. During our AM Rally, the kids played Human Foosball. They linked arms and kicked about 10 balls around the gym....trying to score as many points as they could. Then Pastor Michael shared one more message with the group. Today's theme....NAME! Being called a Christian should imply a set of differences that can be expected. When we call ourselves Christians, the way we think, speak & live should be different from the rest of the world.

Pastor Mike also announced the winning team! It was a close call, but the GREEN team had pulled into first place! They enjoyed a special pizza lunch before everyone boarded the buses and headed home!

We hope your child loved KIDS CAMP 2009 as much as we did! Keep checking back for more pics & videos. And keep looking for info about our upcoming Camp Reunion!!!

THURSDAY

2009-08-19T13:26:00.003-05:00

This morning had a very laid back start. We enjoyed a late breakfast right outside our rooms, as well as a casual AM Rally in the common area of our lodge. The teams competed in a team competition called Gladiator-Style Assault Challenge. The kids had to carefully make their way to several barriers where they had to collect hidden flags. All the while, they had to evade the ammo that 4 adult "Gladiators" were shooting at them (ie: Nerf guns). The BLUE team won this challenge, followed by GREEN & ORANGE in 2nd place and BLACK in 3rd.

After the game, Pastor Michael touched on today's theme, OUTLOOK! When God transforms us on the inside, our outlook on life will also be changed. People will know we are followers of Christ when they see our changed outlook on different circumstances.

This rally lasted until lunchtime. After lunch, we headed out to the Lake for a quick small group devotion & then some more Lake Swim!

Service tonight was very unique. It was a progressive service, taking place at multiple locations. It started out with worship in the gym. Then they headed back to the Lodge where they were surprised to find a Wedding Feast underway! They enjoyed cake, the Cha-Cha slide, and a special gift bag for them to take home. Pastor Michael explained that this party is just a taste of what we have to look forward to in heaven! The church is known as the 'bride' of Christ, and he is preparing a banquet for us in heaven!

Next, the kids were instructed to head out to specific starting points for the next field competition. It was called Wolf Pack!!! The teams were instructed to come up with an original wolf cry. At the sound of the siren, all the teams were to race throughout the campgrounds, shouting out their wolf cries, and listening for the hiding Wolf to echo it back. They were to follow his echoes to his hiding spot. The first team to find the Wolf won first place! The BLACK team came in first, followed closely by the GREEN team!

When all the teams arrived, we gathered around a nearby campfire for the next part of service. Pastor Michael began telling a story of Paul the Missionary. He told them of a time when a prophet told Paul that if he carried out his plan to preach the gospel in foreign lands, he will surely suffer.

The kids were led through the forest by torch light to an ampitheater where Pastor Michael told the rest of the story. Paul's ministry was blessed and many people came to know the Lord, because of his decision to obey (despite imminent danger). It was a very interesting way to present this message, around the campfire/surrounded by forest. It was as this service that Pastor Michael asked the kids to raise their hand if they wanted to commit their lives to the Lord as well, no matter what the cost. Many kids responded! And the counselors spent time in prayer with those kids.

Upon return at our Lodge, we played one more fun game! This one is called Labrinth. The teams had to work together to tilt a wooden labrinth as the ball made its way through the maze. But they had to avoid the holes...otherwise the ball would fall out and they would have to start all over! This was a timed event, and many of the teams tied for 1st place!

Then we all headed back to our rooms to pack up and get some sleep!

WEDNESDAY

2009-08-19T12:58:00.009-05:00

This was our busiest day of the week!

During our AM Rally, we played a game called Human Tacos! The teams had to build as many tacos as they could within the time allotted. First they laid a kid down onto the "tortilla" (which was a circular bedsheet). Then they added 3 handfuls of lettuce (shredded green paper), 3 handfuls of cheese (shredded orange paper), and a ladle-full of Hot Sauce (brown paint water). They rolled 'em up, and dragged it over to the "Counter" where the customers were waiting. Then they ran back to their team members and started building the next taco. The BLACK team earned 1st place! BLUE & RED came in close behind for 2nd place. Then the counselors took a turn racing the clock as they made Human Tacos! What a fun (and humorous) way to start the day!

Pastor Mike introduced our theme for the day...KINDNESS. He played a humorous character, "MIKE the icon." This character thought he was better than everyone else. He treated other very poorly. And his attitude showed the exact opposite of kindness.

After small group devotions, the kids came together out on the field for our next team competition. It was a Messy Obstacle Course!!! This course was a test of patience, strength & endurance. The BLUE team came in 1st for this competition! Orange took 2nd place, and Green finished 3rd!

Then it was Lake Swim time! We spent 2 1/2 hours swimming, sliding, canoeing & playing in the sand. It was a blast!

After dinner, the kids headed to their rooms for showers and cleanup, then walked to service. Worship was great again. And Pastor Michael spoke about the fact that the mark of a Christian is LOVE. When we are kind, we show the world what it means to be a follower of Jesus.

We had a special snack time after service (in our lodge). The kids were invited to grab their pillows & blankets and meet in the common area, where we played a movie for them and passed around popcorn. This was a fun way for the kids to wind down after such a busy day!

TUESDAY

2009-08-12T11:15:00.006-05:00

Today was jam-packed with activity! After breakfast, we headed over to our morning rally service where we met an interesting character named LEON. He is a humorous character, acted out by Pastor Mike. Mr. Ryan handed out the SKUNK AWARD...which is actually a penalty for the messiest room! The recipients of the Skunk Award had to receive a white stripe, spray painted across the top of their head. Then he handed out the CLEAN ROOM AWARD, which earns major points for the rooms that were the cleanest. During this service, we were also introduced to our topic for the day...'INTERACT.' The way we interact with others will prove what is in our hearts.

After lunch, we headed straight to the field for a field competition! This was a team effort TREASURE HUNT!!! The kids and counselors had to find clues all around the campgrounds. Each clue led to the next destination. But they had to decipher the clue by looking up scripture verses and pinpointing key words. For example, one clue stated, "When I was hungry, you fed me." The kids quickly figured out that this clue was leading them to the cafeteria! The final clue brought them back to the field where they found a row of catapults. The leaders had to quickly launch water balloons from the catapults, while the kids stood out in the grass trying to catch them. The first team to catch 10 balloons won!

Then the campers broke off into small groups for devotions. The kids took some time making a card for Jesus. We will use these special cards for an activity Wednesday night.

Today we also enjoyed a couple hours of free time. We hit the pool, arcade, & mini golf course, etc... After dinner we rallied back into the service room for our evening worship service. Worship was awesome (as usual) and was followed by another fun game! We played FOUR CORNERS!

Then Pastor Michael spent some time telling us the story of Paul & Silus in jail. (Some of the kids helped act out the story!) He really expounded on the concept for today...that our INTERACTION with others should be different than the rest of the world. And just like Paul & Silus, our actions can profoundly affect the lives of those around us!

After service, we enjoyed a SNACK together. Then lights out! The kids were awfully tired after such a busy day...

MONDAY

2009-08-11T15:48:00.019-05:00

It's the first day of Kid's Camp! And we kicked it off immediately with a team field competition. The teams had to work together to solve an oversized board game/puzzle. But, in order to get the step by step instructions, they had to take turns crawling across a wet Slip-N-Slide, jumping into a pool of purple slime, and fishing for floating clues. Then they ran their clue back to the rest of the team, where the counselors helped them piece together their puzzle. The BLUE team finished first,earning their team big points! The other teams earned points respective to their team finish. After the field competition, the kids hit the path to the lake for a fun swim!

Service time was amazing.

We started out with a comedy skit about a guy who wanted to be the next 'American icon.'

But the panel of judges thought his 'audition' was horrid! This led into an upbeat worship time with the Kid's Connection band.

Pastor Michael explained our theme for the week, which is the word Eikon. The letter 'E' stands for EXPRESSION! This is the video that he showed the kids, to demonstrate this point:

He pointed out that we are willing to scream at the top of our lungs during team competitions. We cheer for teammates and expend lots of energy supporting our teams.

We learned that we should put forth even more effort and excitement into praising God than we do for team competitions and other entertainment.

At the end of service, Pastor Michael opened up the microphone for the kids to come up and express their praise to God. Long lines of kids formed up at the stage, where kids excitedly shared with the rest of the group some of the amazing things they have seen God do in their lives. It brought the adults to tears, to hear these kids honestly express their deepest thoughts and thanksgiving.

Of course, we couldn't resist playing another game! Tonight's team competition was called "Pants That Catch Pies!" Kids had to toss shaving cream pies to their teammate who was wearing a pair of oversized pants. The BLUE team again dominating, catching a whopping 11 pies!

We finished the night with a hayride and bonfire. What a way to end our very first day at camp. :)

Kid's Camp 2009!!! (Aug. 10-14)

2009-08-07T16:36:00.005-05:00

HEY CAMPERS!!!
We hope you are as excited as we are to be gearing up for KID'S CAMP 2009! We leave bright and early on Monday morning for Carlinville, IL. Please remember to tag your luggage and bring a sack lunch for the bus ride. And bring your smile!

HEY PARENTS!!!
We invite you to check this website frequently throughout the week. We'll be super busy with crazy field competitions and powerful worship services.....but our goal is to upload photos and videos so you can be updated on all your child's activity throughout the week.

***Feel free to leave us a comment or two! (We love feedback!)

Kid's Camp Reunion!!!

2008-10-06T11:27:00.003-05:00

Calling All Campers!!!
Don't miss the Kid's Camp Reunion:

Sunday, Oct. 19 2008
6:00 PM - 7:30 PM

We've got lots of fun stuff planned!
You won't want to miss it!

***You can contact the Children's Ministry office for more details
(630) 851-7000

PAINT Your World: Art Project

2008-08-31T08:18:00.007-05:00

***If you have trouble hearing the video, you may pause the music playlist to your right. ;)

Parents and students! You're invited to join us in this exciting project! Please take some time as a family and brainstorm ideas to decorate the globe picture you received in service. These ideas should portray ways that we can show the world God's glory. It can be through our talents, interests, emotions, resources, or any other concept you can come up with. Feel free to use creative materials as you decorate your paper. This paper is simply a practice for the larger canvas that you will have the opportunity to create and display for all the church to see!

Please submit your completed picture to Pastor Michael, along with a written short essay that explains your concept, no later than Sunday, September 7. When you submit these items, you will receive a much larger canvas! Take your time recreating your brainstormed ideas onto this canvas, and returned to Pastor Michael no later than Friday, Sepetember 26, because this will be the final masterpiece that will be put on display in the atrium at church!

Thank you for your excitement and participation in this fun project! The Kid's Connection team is thrilled to partner up with students and families in this effort to show the world God's glory through our talents and abilities. We hope that our message will inspire the rest of the congregation to go PAINT their world as well!

Friday

2008-08-18T21:19:00.010-05:00

Sadly, our week together has come to a close. But not before enjoying one more service together, complete with worship, another message from Pastor Michael, and of course, another team competition! The game was an obstacle course. Each team was timed. The winner earned enough points to put them in first place! The winning team was the GREEN team! Yay!

The message today was one final challenge to the kids: to TRANSFORM their world! By putting into practice all the other lessons they had learned this week, they would be ready to be used by God to affect the world around them. That includes friends, family, neighbors, etc...who don't know Christ. We had a final alter call, where the kids were invited to come forward for prayer with the counselors. What a powerful moment!

Then we took time to pray for the leaders in the room, that they too would press on in their walk with the Lord. We also prayed for 2 of our leaders, Kyle and Francesca, who are heading off to college this week. We will greatly miss them!

Finally, Pastor Michael laid out two large paintings of the continents. He asked the kids who are committing to 'Paint' their world, to come forward, dip their hand in paint, and place a handprint on the continents. That was their confession before the Lord that they desire to be used by Him, as a tool in His hand, to change their world.

Pastor Michael reminded all the kids that they would be receiving a DVD in the mail with the highlight video from the entire week. And with that dvd he will include an invitation for a 'camp reunion' where we will have more fun and games and watch the highlight video together as a group. So, please be checking the mail for your invite! Until then, thank you for checking out our blog updates! We had an incredible week at camp! And we appreciate each counselor, staff member, child, and family that made this week possible. Feel free to fill this blog up with comments! We LOVE your feedback!

Thursday

2008-08-16T11:52:00.022-05:00

The kids were allowed to sleep in an extra hour, since we had woken them up for the midnight team competition. We met in the auditorium for a special breakfast. Here are some of the kids @ breakfast.

Pastor Michael asked the kids to sign his camp t-shirt. He was so excited to read the notes and comments that the kids scribbled on his shirt!

Instead of field games this afternoon, the kids enjoyed some extra time, swimming at the lake. Here are some videos of some of our very brave campers!

After Lake Swim, we cleaned up for dinner and then another great service! The kids were extra pumped up @ this evenings' worship time. Here they are...singing their hearts out to the Lord!

Tonight, Pastor Michael's message was entitled NEVER GIVE UP! He challenged the kids to keep living for the Lord and making right choices, even when it's difficult. Despite peer pressure, temptation, or difficult circumstances we go through, we need to determine in our hearts that we will never give up on trusting God and serving Him. He used the surprise midnight team competition as an example....because even when they were tired and crabby from being pulled out of bed in the middle of the night, they still played their hearts out for points for their team. In the same way, we never give up or slow down in life, as we strive for the reward Christ has promised us. And in doing that, we will affect the world around us for Christ! It was a very powerful message, and the kids definately soaked up every word!

Then it was back to team competitions!
The winner of this competition was promised the opportunity to SLIME Pastor Michael! The BLUE team and the YELLOW team tied for first place, and took turns dumping pails of slime over Michael's head!

Wednesday

2008-08-15T22:07:00.009-05:00

It was another sunny day, and the campers were ready for more team competitions and ready to learn more about the Lord! At this morning's rally, we started our day with worship. Then we put our hands to another crazy, wacky game! Chosen teammates had to shoot hoops to make a basket, and then run over to the other team's side and use an air pump to blow up the other team's balloon and be the first to make it pop! The YELLOW team took away the win, bringing their team to 3rd place!

After small group time and a yummy lunch, we had another field competition. This one was a favorite for many campers. The entire team lifted an 8ft by 6ft target, while their counselor flung water balloons from an oversized sling shot. The team had to work together to move the target across the field and catch the incoming water balloons. The RED team won this game by a great margin, securing their team's overall lead.

Tonight's service was absolutely amazing! Pastor Michael talked about the way we imitate others that we admire. Sometimes it's a good thing. Sometimes it's not. The band members put on a little skit to further this concept. They went on stage and 'imitated' Pastor Michael by picking up his paint brushes and painting all over the tarps, the garbage can, even on kids' cheeks! The kids got a kick out of this! Then Michael challenged the kids to be imitators of Christ above all others. In doing this, we will affect the world around us by showing others God's glory! We had another response call, where the kids made a commitment in their hearts to place Christ above all others, and be imitators of Him. Praise the Lord for whispering in these kids' hearts and giving them a hunger to live for Him!

Tonight was a strict early bedtime, because we leaders and counselors had a surprise for the kids! At 11:30pm, we went around to all the rooms with the megaphone and woke the kids up for a surprise midnight team competition! The kids were so sleepy, and a bit disoriented, but it only took mere moments for them to get pumped up! This game was called, "Paint by Number...Kid's Connection style!" Each team had to run to the middle of the auditorium, where there was a pool of colored gumballs, and find their team color. Then they had to run back to their corner of the room, chew the gumballs up and stick them onto a canvas. The RED team finished filling their canvas first, giving them another great win! Other teams, especially YELLOW and ORANGE, also received extra points, since their teams unfairly had considerably less kids. There was a point to this surprise midnight game, which Pastor Michael told the kids he would explain the next day. Here is a picture of some of the canvases. YUCK!!!

Tuesday

2008-08-13T00:11:00.022-05:00

What can we say! We were up, bright and early, ready to take on another fun day! At our morning rally, we enjoyed some more worship and a pretty neat team competition that earned the GREEN team a big win! This game involved hopping on one foot and squeezing a sponge (soaked with colored water) into a vase that was held overhead by a teammate wearing a poncho........it's difficult to explain. Just check out these pics!

After lunch, all the teams gathered onto the field for another

team competition! The YELLOW team won the game, earning the opportunity to slosh buckets of colored water over Mr. Ryan's head!

Freetime was super fun. The kids were able to swim in the indoor/outdoor pools, test their skills out at the skate park, play mini golf and sand volleyball, and hang out at the arcade, etc...

Our evening service was absolutely amazing! The band brought us into a great time of worship, which led us into a second great message from Pastor Michael. Using another cool object lesson, he challenged the kids to accept the unique call that God has for each person. Again, many kids responded to this challenged and spent time in prayer, making that commitment in their hearts.

Then we pulled up our pillows with our friends, busted out the popcorn, and watched a movie on the big screens!

Here are some random pics of our happy campers:

Monday

2008-08-12T14:50:00.026-05:00

Day One was all about getting to camp and getting pumped up for an exciting week! As soon as the buses arrived on the campgrounds, the kids were instructed to run onto the field, wearing paint suits over their clothes, and they were immediately drawn into an all-out paint war against the counselors! The kids had so much fun, blasting the leaders and each other with paint filled water balloons and super soakers! In the end, the RED team managed to cover the most people with their color, earning their team 65,000 pts!

Next came lake swim, where the campers hit the waterslides and the beach. Then we had dinner, followed by an amazing evening service!

After some upbeat worship, Pastor Michael introduced this week's PAINT theme to the kids.

He demonstrated his point by creating a painting, while the band played music...Blueman Group style...on a slap-tube organ and paint smothered drums!

He tied the service together with an amazing challenge to the students to make a commitment to the Lord to be His PAINT.

Many kids raised their hands in response to this challenge.

What a powerful service!

Then we hopped the hayrides to the bonfire, where we had a face-off between colors, creating original team cheers to present to the group. What a fun way to end such an awesome day!

Kid's Camp 2008

2008-08-09T14:18:00.003-05:00

Hey parents!

We as leaders are working hard and gearing up for another exciting week of Kid's Camp, down in Carlinville, IL. The theme this week is PAINT! It echoes the topic we've been discussing in our services throughout the summer...that the world is God's canvas, and we are His paint...a tool in His hand to paint a picture of His glory to those who don't know Christ!

This week, we hope to see the kids get pumped up...get messy...and get inspired to use their own talents for God's glory. We also hope that they will have a unique encounter with the Lord as we worship Him this week.

We have so many wacky, crazy activities in store for the kids...including some out-of-this-world team competitions! We will take photos and video footage along the way, and we'll post them on this site so that you can experience them with us! So, please check back often!

~Kid's Connection Team