Photo Albums are complete!

The photo albums are now complete!

Check them out in the right-hand column,

Thanks to our official photographer Lauren whose photos are in the dated albums.

Lauren can be reached at:

Lauren Elise Photography & Design
facebook.com/laurenelisephotographyanddesign

... and for photos from others which are in included the 'misc' albums.

note: The right-hand column showing the different albums is not visible when using mobile devices unless the web view (scroll down to the bottom) is selected.

To Our Clergy, With Love

The stoles for Eucharist.

BOOF!

It happened!  It might have been a more abbreviated game, but we had one round of Boof during activity time.

For those of you who are unfamiliar, Boof is a special kind of tag.  In it, campers run around and Boofers try to tag them with a sock full of flour.  Once a camper is tagged, they must freeze and wait for a Medic to arrive.  The Medic will ask them to perform a task.  Once the camper has done this, they will be unfrozen.  You can get tagged twice before you're out.

This year, everyone on the field had to be careful, Boofers and Boofees alike.  It was soggy out there, sneakers only.

Amongst the Boofers: a bat, a sunflower, a T-Rex, and a wolf.  And the medics had many creative ways to "unfreeze" people who had been tagged: high-fives to all the adults and push-ups, to name just a few.

As in past years, we had a pep band cheering on the players.  The mood was festive and the sky was sunny and blue.

Everyone had a great time.  If canteen hadn't been the next activity, I think everyone would have played a second round.

Hang Time

While every day we have F.O.B.B.Y. (Flat On Your Back By Yourself) time, camp is busy and can be loud.  There are instruments playing, kids singing, and activities that make you hot and tired.  Sometimes it's nice to take a little extra "me time."  And that's why God make the hammock, and we hung them between two trees.  It's nice to relax, recharge, and read a book.

Lost and Found Fashion Show

Well, it's the last full day of camp, and the lost and found is FULL.  Our solution here at EYMC, a Lost and Found Fashion Show.  We had two fabulous models this year, counselors Riley and Jessica.  After a few trips down the catwalk (the aisle between the two rows of tables in the Dining Hall), most everything had been claimed.  Hopefully, by tomorrow afternoon, all the stuff the campers came with, will be all the stuff they leave with.  Fingers crossed.

Recorder Roundup

This year, beginning recorder learned how to play Take Me Out to the Ball Game.  It was hard because it uses all the notes including an F# and a G#.  The hardest part of recorder, is that sometimes our fingers are a bit too little to cover all the holes.  However, we practiced all the hard parts over and over.  By the end, we could play half of the song.  From low C, to high D.

Making Grapes into Sacred Wine

During LT Boundary Breakers (an LT activity), we all said something we wanted to smash.  I said berries and throughout the week it became a joke that we would do it.  Eventually, it became more than a joke.  I asked for permission and supplies.  On Thursday, my dream came true and we got to smash berries.  It was a blast and the joke will be used at the Eucharist.  (Lauren Dudley)

After Lauren and the rest of LT smashed their berries.  I ran across Cheryl in the kitchen and I asked, "How are you going to make it into wine?"  I assumed there was some special formula, as she was boiling it on the stove.  Instead, Cheryl said, "Use my finger."  Of course.  (Sarah Babbitt)

Star Struck - Walking on Water

But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage!  It is I.  Don't be afraid. -Matthew 14:27

Morning Prayer

God, help us be courageous in how we love.
Help us take risks because even if we mess up, you will still be there.
If fear holds us back, help us remember that Jesus will hold us up.
Help us keep faith, knowing that Jesus will not let us fall in the water.

(by Cabin 7, Nina, Molly, Priscilla, Margaret)

BSB at Camp!

For those of another generation, BSB is the Backstreet Boys.  And they made an appearance at skit night (BSB aka Sr Girlz).

And the EMYC BSB performing "I Want It Christ's Way":

He is my fire
My one desire
Believe me when I say
I want it Christ's way

But we are two worlds apart
You are in my heart
When you say
I want it Christ's way

Tell me why
He helps me through my heartaches
Tell me why
He loves me and my mistakes
Tell me why
I always want to hear you say
I want it Christ's way

We are your fire
Your one desire
Yes, it's never too late to say
I want it Christ's way

Tell me why
He helps me through my heartaches
Tell me why
He loves me and my mistakes
Tell me why
I always want to hear you say
I want it Christ's way

It was a hit!  The LT fans in the front row went crazy!!! They had signs and screams.  Reaching onto the stage as the band sang.

By the end, the entire crowd was singing and dancing.  OMG.  It was soooo awesome.

Let the Stormy Clouds Chase - Quieting the Storm

Day 5

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet!  Be Still!"  Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.  -Mark 4:39

Storms continue here, but the earth was replenished and renewed by a steady drizzle thought the day.

Rain doesn't stop EYMC!  However, we did move all outdoor activities inside and shuffled locations.  

Since the dinner theme was "stormy weather," everyone was well equipped for the light and heavy rain and no one minded the misty drizzle that came in between.  All had their rain coats, ponchos, umbrellas and Wellies.  And everyone was both fashionable and dry.

The one disappointment of the day was we had to cancel Boof, because the field was too soggy, but we anticipate tomorrow's sun will dry up all the rain and Boof with be back on.

With Boof cancelled we tried a new activity, the first annual EYMC fashion show.  In the same groups as photo scavenger hunt.  Groups used found items to create costumes for their "models."  They only had 20 minutes to put together their outfits together.  Silly was the look of the evening.  And it was also all about the runway walk.  There were many colorful and creative costumes.  It was fantastic.

I asked if outfits could be found off the rack, but they weren't on the rack in the first place.  Everyone had to return their items where they found them.

By evening it was wet, but calm.  The storm was over.

EYMC's Love Affair with Homonyms

This week, we are obsessed with homonyms here at camp:

hom·o·nym

/ˈhäməˌnim,ˈhōməˌnim/

noun

plural noun: homonyms

each of two or more words having the same spelling but different meanings and origins (e.g., pole1and pole2); a homograph.


Why you may ask? Because it is a theme in this year’s bedtime story Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin.


The story is told from Rose’s point of view and she is obsessed with homonyms. She loves that her own name is a homonym, and she purposely gave her dog, Rain, a name with two homonyms (Reign, Rein), which, according to Rose’s rules of homonyms, is very special. Not

everyone understands Rose's obsessions, her rules, and the other things that make her different – not her teachers, not other kids, and not her single father.

When a storm hits their rural town, rivers overflow, the roads are flooded, and Rain goes missing. Rose's father shouldn't have let Rain out. Now Rose has to find her dog, even if it means leaving her routines and safe places to search. (Amazon)

This is all to prepare you from what will become, I am sure, one of the all-time classic camp skits.

Starring Kusi, Keelan, Kellan, and Luke (6th, 7th, and 8th grade boys), as well as counselors Wayne and Charles

Welcome to EYMC School. Your teachers are Wayne and Charles. The first lesson: Vocabulary.

“Can each of you name something that begins with A?”

“Apple.”

“Ape.”

“And.”

“Isle.”

“That doesn’t start with an A.”

“Yes, it does. A-I-S-L-E. Aisle. I thought you guys were teachers.”

“OK. OK. Let’s try another letter. Q.”

“Queen.”

“Quilter.”

“Quarter.”

“Cat.”

“Cat doesn’t start with a C.”

“Quat, the leaves of the shrub Catha edulis which are chewed like tobacco or used to make tea. Are you qualified for this job? Where’s your license?”

“I left it in my other pants. Let try one more. F.”

“Fan.”

“Fly.”

“Feign.”

“Excellent, feign. To pretend to be affected by.”

“No, foehn, a warm breeze from a different terrain. You’re fired.”


Scene.

"Rainbows are Shining" - the Flood Ends

 Tuesday was "the Flood Ends."  Our motto was "Rainbows are Shining."

Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth. - Genesis 9:16

Cabin 4 took this theme to heart for skit night and reminded all of us of our "rainbow connection."  We were visited by a cabin-ful of Kermits singing "The Rainbow Connection."  It turned into a giant sing-a-long.

Thanks, Elsa, Eva, Ambry, Cecilia, Sara, Kate, and Rachel (Annie and Juli, too).

Skit Roundup

Cabin 5 - presented us with the "Cabin 5 Game Show."  Contestants are paired off and are challenged.  Challenge one, while hiding behind your partner, feed them applesauce.  Challenge two, brush their teeth.  Challenge three, put on lipstick.  And the audience decides the winners with their cheers and applause.  The winners?  In the end, they're all winners, with lipstick all over their faces.

Cabin 3 - brought us a test of the Emergency Broadcast System.  Let's just say, I don't think those guys would survive the real thing.

Cabin 12 - took us to boot camp.  Their were some interesting recruits, including two wild and crazy guys.  And despite their lack of preparedness for battle, Bernie is leading the charge, and they'll all have free and affordable health care.

The little ones brought us a shark attack.  And cabin 11 taught us how to do a back flip.  Don't try it at home.

Gaga: A Guide (Peter Truckenmiller)

In the mid-afternoon, after the first instrument session, but before the second is activity time, one of the activity options is the esteemed sport of Ga-Ga ball.  It takes place in an octagonal pit lined with wood chips, and it is played with a dodge ball.  The ball is rolled slowly, or lightly hit.  If a player is hit on the knee or below, they are out.  There is no holding the ball and there are automatic outs if the ball is hit outside of the pit.  It's a game enjoyed at any age.  Many campers enter.  Only one camper wins.

-----

Wikipedia says:

Ga-ga (lit. "touch-touch") is a variant of dodgeball. The game combines dodging, striking, running and jumping with the object of hitting opponents with a ball below the knee while avoiding being hit. The game can be played by groups of individual players, teams and in one-on-one matches. The game may sometimes be referred to as "Israeli dodge-ball". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ga-ga

Rain, Reign - Go Away

Indoor camp fire

Rainy weather?  No worries!  Camp is still going strong!  Inclement weather will not stop campers! They are having just as much fun as if the sun was shining brightly (if not more).

Usually, we have an outdoor dance party on Wednesday.  Due to the rain, we moved into the basement.  It may have been cold and drizzly outside, but inside it was a tropical paradise, filled with Hawaiian shirts, tropical colors, and glow sticks.

Everyone had a fantastic time.  Campers danced, and those who didn't want to dance played games in the room next door.

You might assume we would cancel campfire due to the rain, but we didn't.  We had campfire inside.  We made a “fire” with wood and battery-powered votive candles.

Cabin 1 - White Sock!

Hi

So this is how you get the white sock

You clean your cabin and organize all your things

Skies Are Blue (Peter Trunkenmiller with Sarah Babbitt)

As soon Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting him.” -Matthew 3:16

Every day during morning worship, the LT write a skit, while other times we follow in Allison's vision.  Today was the latter. Since the story of the day was John’s baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan, we recreated this in the lake at camp.  We waded knee deep in the water and Sammi, as John the Baptist, baptized us in the waters of Clear Lake.  Johannah, as Jesus, asked John to baptize her.   After Johannah was submerged in the water, the recreation of the story was complete.

Skit Night: “It’s a Hard Knock Life” - a tribute to Alison Feigh (Marissa Olson)

Back in 2003, Jennifer & I were campers in Alison Feigh’s cabin. We did a great dance that she choreographed for skit night. We danced to the song “Hard Knock Life” from the musical Annie. In the skit, Alison forced us campers to clean for the white sock award. This year, Jennifer and I are counselors to cabin 9. Jennifer somehow remembered Alison’s choreography, and thought of the amazing idea that our girls should recreate the skit as a surprise. It was a smashing success, and I knew everyone involved felt like they contributed to something really special! (We love you, Ms. Alison!)

 -Marissa

White Sock Preparations

All lined up for the white sock award.

Day Two

Today is the first day of our regular schedule After a relaxing and refreshing nights sleep, the camp gathered for morning worship, with wake-up, stories and prayer. After breakfast, campers scattered to their rotations, choir, choreography, and hand bells, or chimes or grums.

After morning rotations some of the campers play games on the field, while others have team bonding on the stage.

We all need to get our R&R after lunch before heading off to our musical activities,  instrument groups, drama, and “Exploring Instruments.”

Activity time!  It might be the same activities every day, but it’s always an afternoon of fun: basketball, ultimate Frisbee, gaga, dancing, goats, creative writing, arts & crafts, and the swimming pool.  Oh, my!  After another instrument session, it’s spiritual formation, and DINNER!  It’s such a busy day.

Every night, we have one special activity.  Although Boof is a perennial favorite, we debuted a new game (and it was a HIT): Photo Scavenger Hunt!  What is that you ask?  Well . . .

Campers were split off into groups of mixed ages (including adults and LT). Each group had to photograph items from a list and accumulate as many points as possible in the given amount of time.  Playing off this week’s book Rain Reign, groups needed: a pear and a pair; an ant and an aunt.  Playing off another theme (can you guess what it is?): groups needed pictures of something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue.  One picture, worth 30 points: acting out a wedding on stage.  There were so many great pictures: human pyramids; people hugging trees; recreations of “The Last Supper”; piggy-back rides.  My personal favorite were the photographs of peoples’ hands: a picture of every hand of every person in your group.

Creative Writing Day One (Sarah Babbitt)

I had the pleasure of writing with Agnes Barthell.  We were a little stuck at first, but it was Alison Feigh to the rescue.  Alison helped us write our first line.  I wrote the second.  And then. . . Agnes wrote the rest.  After we finished, several staff read our poem.  Alison loved it so much, we’re putting it over the fire place in the dining hall.  It doesn’t have a title, but the poem speaks for itself.

Yesterday we arrived at EYMC
If you love music, its the place you should be,
A place to have fun,
Play around in the sun,
Its the best place to be perfectly me

-Agnes Barthel
-Sarah Babbitt
-Alison Feigh

Improving the world

Mason and Johanna are leading a series of TED talks and discussions on issues important to camp, and how campers can improve our world after leaving One Heartland. We will talk about environmental responsibility, peaceful protests, and arming our campers to make a difference in their chosen topics.

We are connected!

We are now connected to the Internet (by a cable)!

There is a backlog of pictures and articles that will be posted as we have time to work on them.

Two photo albums have assembled and are online - see the right column of the blog.

- Jay

Day 1

Day One: Campers Arrive!

First day of Camp!  People are excited to be here—so excited that there was a line in order to be the very first person to sign in!  We couldn’t have asked for a better day, sunny skies, pleasant temperatures, ensuring a good start to camp.

Over the next hour, people arrived.  Friends reconnected. Parents waved goodbye and campers made their way to their cabins.  This year almost every cabin is being used, save one.  After some time to meet and unpack, campers and staff gathered in the dining hall for a “Welcome to Camp” meeting.

Rules and activities were explained. Everyone was officially welcomed.  After this, campers met in their cabins for “bonding time.”  Then, campers jumped right in.  They had their first, of many, choir rehearsals.  At 6:15, everyone gathered for dinner.

We had our first campfire as the sun was setting.  By  the time campers headed to bed, the sun was down and the temperatures had dropped.  It was time for lights out.  It was the end of day one.

-Peter

No Internet

All is well, except the Internet.

This is a quick note to say that there are problems with the camp's Internet connection so there will be no pictures until we can get the right resources together to get it working.

Road construction

A quick note to say that there is a single lane traffic north of Hinckley.

Mail

Staff arrives at camp today and campers arrive Sunday.
If you put a letter in the mail today, they will get it at the beginning of their camp week!

Email is also delivered via eymcdean@gmail.com

Weather Forcast

It is Saturday!  Excitement is in the air...

The staff is finishing preparations and will be heading to camp this afternoon.

We will have our meetings, unpack all the supplies, set up the rooms, etc. etc. etc. today and tomorrow in preparation for everyone's arrival on Sunday.

The maps don't show much construction, but please check and plan accordingly.

Here is the Minnesota Department of Transportation information site: http://mndot.org/ and   http://www.511mn.org/