One of our top priorities at Man Camp is mentoring our campers. We worked hard to arrange experiences where the campers get to interact with Godly men who possess skills that can be shared with them. We also weaved in a wide variety of projects and trainings which exposed the campers to a broad range of life skills.

Some Man Camp highlights were: digging a 600 foot trench with Track Hoes, constructing four 8 foot benches, shooting guns of course, PVC blow guns (sorry parents - I hope you didn't end up with too many holes in your walls once your camper got home!), Solo Baston fighting lesson from a world renowned fighting champion and local fitness instructor, learning how to replace the end of an electrical extension cord, practiced knife and hatchet throwing, paintballing, 1st Aid instruction and training, Mudpit, gorged on some hearty food, and just plain enjoyed some quality guy time! 

  

This bunch of campers - always so excited and eager to get out and experience adventures! 

Part of the week included rotating through several other adventures - caving, climbing wall, zipline, and inner tube ditch float. Tuesday evening we moved out to our more remote Cave Creek Camp where we spent the night under the stars. It's a lot different doing camp without electricity and running water! Finally Wednesday afternoon they got to experience our traditional Eco Challenge Course. This was a race that involved map reading, teamwork and a spirit of adventure to complete. They loved the competition, the challenges at six different checkpoints, and the mud at the end.

Throughout the week we also took time each morning and evening to hear Bible stories that taught us about God's love, who God is, and telling them that He loves them and wants them to enjoy Him. We taught them about forgiveness and redemption and provided opportunities to worship God together, and we took time every day to talk about life, pray with them, and encourage them to enjoy a relationship with Jesus, and Say Yes to Him always.

   

Adventure is the key word here, as the campers embarked on new adventures each day!

Sunday evening the campers were divided into three Tribes. The first task given to the tribes was to create a tribe name as well as brainstorm ideas that would help them fully value each member of the tribe and fully value the Adventure Camp experience.

The rest of the week, Tribes experienced the Low Challenge Course, 35 feet above the ground in our High Ropes Course, saw amazing viewpoints on the Sleeping Beauty Trail Hike where they could gain an appreciation for God's power and creation, explored Silver Cave and contemplated light and darkness as they relate to good and evil, and learned essential skills using a map and compass. And we wouldn't do camp without also including the zipline, climbing wall, paintballing, night games, campfires, songs, skits, s'mores, and white water rafting down the White Salmon River!

Wow! What an Adventure!

Right off the bat, the campers were divided into two Tribes. We then introduced them to the adventure experiences that were ahead of them - Zipline, Climbing wall, Ropes Challenge Course, hiking, rafting, and camping out. . . . We explained how at every stage of the adventure there would be new challenges to face, skills to learn, risks to take, as well as opportunities for personal growth and teamwork.

But, High School adventure Camp is much more than an adventure experience - it is also intentionally crafted to be a spiritual experience - learning about God and encountering Him. We considered the challenges and risks in life, as well as the tools and community God equips us with to handle them. We talked about protecting good, upholding truth, embracing redemption, practicing righteousness and engaging in worship. So many of the adventures we embark on at Adventure camp make for a practical outward sample or expression of an inward condition.