Well, it's hundreds of gallons of water, 10 pineapples, 3 water melons,
five papayas, I don't know how many grapes, kiwis, and oranges, 100 pineapple
chicken kabobs, 61 boys, 3 girls, 20-30 Commanders, 800 water balloons, two
days later and I have decided I have learned a few things.
1. Never assume that just because your commanders have worked in daycamps
for umpteen years, that they will have their signs made with their scripture
verses that go with their games "I have a verse? I didn't know I had a
verse." (after half the camp had gone through) (In my head I am thinking, why
did we have a meeting and why did I spend so many hours typing, editing and
printing all those copies of the camp layout, scriptures, and which games
they went to and what were they supposed to teach, but I didn't say it);
2. Do not assume that just because someone is on district staff and he
volunteers at the planning meeting to have his OP Chaplain give the devotion,
that he will actually show up with said Chaplain or even a devotion in tow
(YIKES!);
3. Everyone will have everything they need for their games;
4. Never under estimate that person who you really didn't think had it all
together, because they just might! (and did);
5. That if will be easy to keep people away while you are restocking those
800 water balloons.
Fortunately Welcome to Paradise Not Lost went on to become a great
success.
Everyone showed up the requisite Hawaiian shirts (no black socks!) and
shorts, one Comdr. supplied straw hats labeled with the nine fruits of the
spirit for Comdr. who were heading the different crews. Thank you for the
hats (and decorating them) and the leis Clint.
Cody Hord FCF gave hula hoop demos Hahahahaha! Shoulda been at the
meeting! Hee hee.
I donated 120 shells to give away in our treasure hunt/spiritual ear
game. Brady Bracken, thank you for drilling all those holes in those shells
and making the necklaces.
It really was a learning experience, something I wouldn't have missed for
all the world, and probably more fun than I've had in years.
I am not sure who had more fun, the Commanders or the boys..., we had a
fifty foot slip-n-slide, made from a looong piece of heavy duty plastic,
rain-bird sprinklers with a little soap squeezed on (next no more tears). I
caught Comdrs. stripping off their shirts, shoes and socks, and belly
whopping and hollering all the way.
Splashketball (I stole the idea form Metro Ministries) was a hit. It is
a free standing basketball backboard I built at home only instead of a net it
had a plastic milk crate, sit a plastic chair underneath it (the whole thing
cost me two dollars, already had the chair and the crate bonus build one of
these in your front yard and you have no idea how many kids come up and give
you the opportunity to invite), how to play: team members take turns
occupying the chair while opponents throw water balloons in the crate (the
most difficult part of this game is keeping the Comdrs. out of it. They like
to sneak up behind and empty coolers over unsuspecting heads that are ready
for the limited splash from a water balloon).
We had number of Pioneer helpers and one requested a spontaneous game of
Splashketball with a grin: Pioneers v. Comdrs. Not sure who won. Doesn't
matter, what fun!
Water-softball also helped to kill time while Brian Thornberg (hooray!)
came up with a last minute wonderful devotion, involving of course his mega
ultra super dooper squirt gun. Yes, the Holy Spirit will respond to the call
of a squirt gun and so did every boy.
Food was great! Teriyaki marinated pineapple chicken kabobs, yum yum!
Wes Burns, thank you for cooking such a wonderful lunch!
I am telling you, this was my first time planning, I woke that morning
with some doubts, and there were a couple of moments of panic (our district
Comdr. said to me "What do you expect? They're just men? [hmm further
argument for women in RR thinks me]), so quick fervent prayer and Viola`
Paradise was saved and not lost again!
Thank you for all the input that was received over the RRnet. Thank your
encouragement, and wait till you hear what my husband is planning already for
next year's Buckaroo Straight Arrow Day!
We had fun, got wet, got blessed, and are looking forward to doing it
again (recreating it later this year for our community's children with song
services and puppet show added at our church).
Sorry so long,
the oh so wordy,
Chief Flaming Hair
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