L.Y.F.E. CAMP  "Live Your Faith Everyday!" A Minnesota United Methodist Youth Camp

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Looks like Saturday's post, which I actually fell asleep writing and so saved to my drafts, ended up posting today instead, but I might as well continue with my wrap-up of the week.

This year, we saw fifty-seven people attend LYFE Camp Week One - that's thirty-seven campers of which seventeen were new, plus fourteen junior counselors and eight senior staff members. Last year, our roster was in the low-forties and two year ago we were still in the thirties. I foresee us filling camp to the low-sixties bed capacity at Decision Hills Camp without much difficulty.

It was nice to hear youth speak about camp in church yesterday, plus see all of the virtual connections happening on Facebook in the last few days. As far as the week itself goes, I'm proud to say the seventeen new campers, as far as I could tell, really had potential to have a great week. Meanwhile, I don't believe any of our returners had a stagnant week, every one of them able to grow during the week.

I'm taking today completely off, but there's plenty of LYFE Camp follow-up to do over the summer, though it takes a lot of my work load by how much youth do of their own accord. And that sort of initiative is exactly what I hope camp instill in someone. That our campers can go forth and be stronger individuals so they can create an even stronger community.

Regards,
Nate Melcher

I'm home and ready to fall into sleep. When we all stopped at McDonald's in Litchfield for lunch, someone pointed out to me my eyes were red. Lo and behold, my beautiful white irises have a pinkish tint, meaning if I put off sleep too much longer, I may have to buy matching wardrobe for my new eyes. But I suppose having them a little bloodshot comes from a few late nights in a row, and I shouldn't be all that surprised.

This morning we wrapped up by cleaning cabins, giving oral / written affirmations, and having a final campfire. We did lost-and-found (the camp dean's nightmare, let me tell you!), revealed our secret friends, sang some songs, and took a group photo. We're hoping to get that last one out and to people just as soon as possible.

The trip home went pretty fast. The bus and other counselors left fifteen minutes before I did and while they got hung up in construction I took another route and beat them by just a hair. After lunch, the caravan made their way back to Excelsior UMC and met awaiting parents. Several tearful hugs and photos later, everyone finally left, freeing me to head home and head to bed.

Tomorrow, anyone who wants to go meet at Excelsior UMC for church and lunch is welcome to join us!

Regards,
Nate Melcher 

Small groups are once again squirreled away into the corners and nesting places around Decision Hills Camp, wrapping up their oral and written affirmations for one another. Meanwhile, I'm still packing!

I missed the volleyball tournament due to other duties, but SC Robert won his first-ever tournaments for both small group and cabins! The variety show was a GREAT show. Sometimes, these kinds of shows can get "duds," which may seem harsh of me to say but try sitting through a dud and tell me I'm not right. But this show was dud-free - every single thing that went up was entertaining. We had original raps about Cheez-Its, synchronized dancing, girl-on-boy makeovers, Star Wars reenactments, original songs, covers, insane comedy sketches about clutching Mr. Freezie Pops to one's inner thigh, and Eric and I reenacted the first time we met. Amazing times!

Worship was a triumph. You'll simply have to ask your camper, dear reader. We changed things up at the end of the night by having a campfire on Meditation Hill, but had to keep things short and sweet because it was getting late. We had a brief ceremony of burning the  prayers and plans to be better people the campers wrote yesterday, effectively sending them to God. Finally, we had a brief ceremony for our departing seniors - Casey, Parker, Dixie, and Doug. We hope they will take the next year to really explore themselves in faith, as adults, and in new experiences away from camp.

I anticipate passing this blog off to Andrew, the Dean of Week II, in the next day or two, but will likely post some wrap-up of my own. A final information message: due to all of the detours, I'm not sure the bus will return at 2:30pm - we'll probably need more time, so please anticipate that and spread the word. Remember - my phone is fried, so your best bet is to call your camper (after 11:30am) for ideas on when they're arriving.

Regards,
Nate Melcher

I must have really been on a high at the end of Quest because I didn't mention my personal tragedy yesterday - I was so excited to be back at the helm of the baptism station after a three-year hiatus that I walked out into the lake with my brand-new Nokia 5310 cell phone in my pocket. ...Let's just say I am in mourning. So if you've been trying to text / call me in the last twenty-four hours, you're not going to hear back from me (that goes for today, too).

Last night, worship ended with communion just in time for DHC staff Paul and Kara (a former Week One JC) to inform us it was time to run down to the camp center storm shelter. The run from the dining hall to camp center was awe-inspiring but creepy. Deep black clouds like silky fabric bunched and pulled taught at the top of a dress and then billowing out in all directions. Unique, twisting bedsheets rising and diving in every direction. The whole scene was too dark to capture by camera, and Kristen made me go inside before I could video tape it. At any rate, we were stuck inside until 10:45pm, but we grabbed our snack of root beer floats, played some group games, and the time passed by quickly.

Every other night, the junior counselors (JCs) or the senior counselors (SCs) get together for their "night out," basically an extra hour or two to relax with games, continue planning and discussing camp, or doing other activities. Last night was SC night out, and we took the time to affirm one another. The number one message the deans convey to counselors is that camp is about the campers, and the opportunity to affirm one another as SCs is so rare, I'm glad we took advantage of the time window.

Our remaining staff of seven (we affirmed Kent on Tuesday before he had to leave) went around the circle with amazing, honest thoughts on how each of us has touched one another. Our staff is such a unique mix. Kristen and I have been SCs together for eight years. Robert was the Dean when I was a JC. Eric was Maggie and Emily's SC when they were campers and now they're SCs together. Abbi conducts herself like she's been at camp for years, not just this - her first year. To hear everyone pour out such genuine emotion was powerful, and I'm going to say that for me, without a small group while in my Dean role, I was reminded that the SCs are MY small group - and we had an amazing time.

This morning, however, I woke to a flooded cabin. The toilet in Spear sprung a leak at the water pipe pushing water onto the landing and into my bedroom (but not the campers - what happened to campers first?!). I drove Ben J., Dylan J., and Jacob B. on a little adventure across camp to the staff shower house - old school, curtain-separated stalls - so we could get clean. Unfortunately for the boys, curtains aren't soundproof and they got to hear every noise I made as a result of using my Neti Pot. Ew!

But let's move to something more pleasant - the theme of the day, "L.Y.F.E." - Live Your Faith Everyday. Small groups are spread throughout camp right now sharing, laughing, crying, hugging, praying, and trusting. I know one question each small group is facing this morning is "What is your plan?" How will they take the feeling camp gives them and live their faith at home everyday to the fullest? What will it take and what will hinder them? How will they get back on the right path when they stray (just like anyone)?

The best thing you can do upon your youth's return, dear reader, is to be a part of their plan. It's easy to point out when someone strays off their path - that's not what they need. They need you to do something harder - they need your patience, acceptance, non-judgment, and forgiveness. Those models of behavior will help them return to the right path quicker and more invested than disappointment and ridicule. In that question, "What is your plan?" we're also asking Who is your back-at-home peer in your plan? Who is your camp friend in your plan? Who is the adult in your plan? For some, the adult may be me, but for each camper, I hope an adult in their plan is you.

Today sees the end of the volleyball tournament, the variety show, one final worship service, a 'goodbye' to seniors at campfire, and a few thousand memories packed into just a few brief hours.

Leading up to camp, I've often said how it sneaked up on me. That was nothing compared to where I am now. Camp is almost over. And wow, did that sneak up on me!

Regards,
Nate Melcher

Short and sweet today, and that's because of my time crunch rather than a lack of great things to blog about. The dance was a blast. We held it in one-third of the indoor gym portion of Camp Center. At first, we weren't super-enthusiastic, citing the tradition of using the Dining Hall, but with tornadoes to the south and thunderstorms to the west, we figured having the dance in the severe weather shelter wouldn't be such a bad idea. And it wasn't! It was a truly great dance and everyone liked that space better than the dining hall. So much for tradition.

I'm sitting here alone for a brief moment after Quest, our all-day and into-evening "prayer" journey in which campers and JCs are really encouraged to be open to amazing growth moments in their faith. I ran a station I'd not run since becoming Dean of Week I, but which I miss dearly after having done it at least four times at other weeks of LYFE Camp. It gave me a chance to connect with each camper individually and I surprised myself - I knew EVERY person's name! And here I thought I was getting old.

Quest did it's job for the people who were open to something happening. I have yet to connect with my fellow SCs about their stations but I'm excited to hear what they have to say.

My apologies, dear reader, but I have to change and head to evening worship. More tomorrow.

Regards,
Nate Melcher

You need to be warned, dear reader, these entries are only going to get longer and more detailed because the nature of camp is to have more and more amazing moments to write about as the week goes on. As for today's entry...

Last night around dinner time, I was soaked in sweat. Concerned, I mentioned my plight to senior counselors Emily and Maggie who said it was a good thing - I was breaking my fever and the antibiotics were kicking in. I can't tell you what a blessing this was. I had enough energy to lead classic songs like "The Yoddler" and "Down Bythe Bay" at campfire, as well as concentrate on the ability to function as opposed to collapse in sleep. Robert, too, is feeling well, so the senior counselor (SC) staff is operating at 100% again.

Well, nearly 100%. Kent Johnson had to head home early this morning to attend to two funerals from Excelsior UMC. He gave brief life stories about Kenny and Grace at worship last night and it really touched many people. After running a few thousand errands early this morning, Kent is on the road back to Excelsior. Lucky for us, Robert is an ordained UMC minister and will be able to provide services such as communion and, if necessary, baptism. Kent has played an invaluable role as an active and approachable Chaplin for the last three years, and the SCs took a moment to affirm him at SC Night Out.

Word on the street is "Ratatouille" was enjoyed by most everyone in attendance. I cannot personally vouch for this, as the SCs were in Spear cabin attending to details for the rest of the week. Our trusty junior counselors (JCs) were on the scene, however, making sure things flowed smoothly.

As for serenades, I can tell you Kent and my cabin, Spear, trooped our way out to Central Front. Dylan and I played a guitar / ukulele duet of "I'm a Believer" by The Monkees (but written by Neil Diamond - did you know that?!) while the rest of the guys sang along. The girls were pretty impressed, I must say; many of them were new campers and weren't sure what to expect, and I was proud of my guys for stepping up and saying yeah, we'll serenade the new girls. I heard other serenades went quite well, too.

Last night was my first night on Meditation Hill since arriving on Saturday night. I missed the hill on Sunday because I was correcting a mistake in which snack we were preparing that night (it may not seem like a big deal, but tradition calls for nachos on Sunday and not popcorn - that way, we get popcorn on Tuesday during the movie!), and Monday, well, I was in bed, remember? But last night I got to lead the camp up the hill and assume my regular spot at the very back where I'm able to observe most everyone there.

Before I go too much further, I should explain Meditation Hill is a place we encourage youth to remain quiet and at peace, to pray and literally meditate on their lives and camp experiences. You've likely seen Decision Hill's iconic triple crosses - this is from Meditation Hill. Some campers get more out of it than others, but we ask everyone to be quiet so those who wish to use it to its fullest capacity may do so.

Anyway, last night I observed connections beginning to really show. Hugs were exchanged, a few tears were shed. Often, but not every time, I am one of the last on the hill. One group who stayed longer than me was a group of four or five young women rallying to one girl crying - what a wonderful thing to see this positive connection. On my way down I spoke with a JC and SC who were at the very back of the hill. The JC was crying a little and remarked to me how upset they were that they needed to go to a place like this to experience God, that it's so easy to get caught up in other things back home and forget how important a place like this can be. With the SC's help, I reminded this JC that what they're talking about is the exact reason we have LYFE Camp - to truly find a way to live our faith every day and to honestly not judge each other for what's going on in our lives but to support each other. I think this JC in particular is doing an amazing job this week and they shouldn't be upset with themselves because they need camp, but rather be excited for the ways they get to contribute to camp (trust me - this JC and all of the JCs are!).

I've encouraged SCs and JCs to get small group conversation deeper today, which is important with larger small groups than in the past, so that all those people who have something to share have time to do so before the week ends. I've received personal reports and witness enough group hug prayer circles in the last hour to know this sort of thing is happening. The emotional level of camp is rising, for sure.

This morning has plenty of rain, moving volleyball indoors. We'll have to gauge how the rest of the day goes, in terms of traditions like the dress-up dinner and taking group photos. Tonight we have the all-camp dance - a brilliant mix of rock, hip-hop, techno, limbo, and 100% irony (Backstreet Boys, anyone?)

Some funny highlights in the last day include a dance party on the porch of Bent Twig cabin, a running gag in which I claim Alex T. hit me even if he's all the way across the room (no worries - we're both in on the joke), camp director Paula getting her name "put on the board" for saying the word "Announcements" on purpose to trigger an automatic song from the campers denouncing announcements, and the reappearance of a certain painting of Jesus which, while painstakingly rendered, has freaked several people out over the years in its original space above the fireplace in Homewood cabin where it sat - seemingly watching you no matter where you went! Trust me - you have to see it to believe it.

That's plenty for today don't you think, dear reader?

Regards,
Nate Melcher 

I don't know too many details about last night because I was sick in bed. Yep, my cough has finally caught up with me and forced me to urgent care in Wilmar to get antibiotics this morning. I'd like to say all the sleep was amazing, but when you're at camp and you want to be with campers, sleeping sure doesn't sound all that fun.

What I do know about last night is the small groups introduced themselves to the rest of camp with some truly bizarre names this year (off the top of my head, Ostrich, "That Group," The Phobiacs, and - it breaks my heart - The Hippies Against Star Wars). Worship brought everyone closer together and as for the campfire, well, I'm sure it was great (I was sleeping by that point...).

Today started off cold but ended up pretty hot for the swim test (postponed from yesterday because the weather was too choppy). Most everyone was at the beachfront in the last few hours of the afternoon, either swimming, playing volleyball, or chilling out with friends. In the morning, small groups spent time getting closer with the theme of Affirmation - hopefully, they're finding ways to both affirm one another and really appreciate one another.

Tonight is the JC Movie Night - we're watching "Ratatouille" - and following it up with worship and a campfire. Later tonight, the boy cabins will serenade the girl cabins and ask them if we may escort them to the dress-up dinner tomorrow afternoon. It's a cute and fun outing, for sure, and I'll be breaking out my ukulele. Some personal highlights include watching new campers break out the paddleboats, the boy cabin volleyball game (my cabin almost won), and the Blob was put in and ready to go for the rest of the week. Kent sat in on a small group who's senior counselor wasn't feeling well this morning and he was impressed both by how comfortable they were and how much enthusiasm they had for their regular senior counselor.

Good things are happening...

Regards,
Nate Melcher