Camp Ox {2013}

As in years past, the boys went off with friends from church and spent a week at Camp Ox this year.  We had a full truck on our 90 minute drive over to Amery, WI.  Four {ever-growing} teenagers, 2 adults, 3 bikes and a bunch of camping gear.  Oliver slept in cabins this year, and Henry in tents. They were kept busy and had a lot of fun! 

Oliver's camp focus: Our International and U.S. staff lead worship, Bible studies, ethnic meals, and activities that help provide a global perspective. Campers also experience campfires, swimming, tubing, bouldering wall, ropes challenge course, games, devotions, horseback riding, and arts & crafts.

Henry's camp focus: Journey of the Cross is a powerful high adventure camping experience. The challenge experiences are symbolic of the challenges we face in our personal faith journeys, and we embrace the life-long challenge to take up our cross and follow Jesus wherever He leads. Campers participate in our low and high ropes challenge course, bike on the Gandy Dancer Trail, rock climb at Interstate Park, canoe down the St. Croix River and horseback ride on the trails at Ox

Below is a post from the Youth Director after their first evening:

(Melanie here). I checked in with the Ox lake campers today. They are doing good! The spent the day horse back riding and doing low ropes, now they are hanging out and relaxing before dinner. The counselors tell me that they are great campers and that tomorrow they get to do high ropes which is new this year for the ox lake campers. I think it is great and that they will love it.

I didn't see ...the journey of the cross campers because they are biking today. Sounds like they got off to a great start this morning though and had a good night last night from the ox counselor I talked to. They will bike tomorrow as well (new again this year), canoe on Wednesday, do low and high ropes on Thursday and horse back ride on Friday.

Thanks for praying for all our campers and the wapo staff, keep the prayers coming! God is good and I know He is going to do great things in their lives this week!

Playing a game at the eco-camp.




Last year for these three at camp!
Next year they become TIM teamers* if they are interested.
They've gone to camp together since third grade.

 “…If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself
and take up his cross and follow me.” Matt. 16:24

 

 

Oliver's turn at the ropes course, with his friends by his side!

 

 

 

Some kind of shoe game. 

His new summer shoes came home filthy dirty!

Kids will be kids.

What Mom doesn't see won't hurt her, I guess {just the laundry}.

 

 

 

 

*TIM Team is a leadership development opportunity for Senior High youth. TIM teamers commit to one year of service as leaders in their home congregations working primarily with younger youth. TIM Teamers will spend time at both Ox Lake and Wapo during the 7 day experience. TIM Teamers will have lodging at Ox Lake, as well as experiencing the Low / High Ropes Challenge Course. During the week, much of each day is spent at Wapo interfacing and participating as leaders amongst the younger youth from their congregation.