Another summer camp has come and gone but the memories will last for a lifetime.
I think that is what is so powerful about youth camps, the memories made, the lives touched and the friendships made.

Where else can you:
·Gargle with a goldfish?

·Win an Oscar for best movie (The winner was "The planet of the Hens" a planet of the apes spoof).

·Laugh until it hurts, while watching kids stepping in worms, Spam, ice and other gunk.

·Cringe with glee as girls in all their high drama, gag on peanut oil, oysters, sardines, sauerkraut, spicy V8 and cottage cheese.

·Munch on goodies and play "Signs" late into the night.

·Sleep in a stinky room with a bunch of chattering teens amped on Mt. Dew!

·Lounge on a plush Pontoon boat with friends in the warm summer sun.

·See God touch hungry hearts and fill them with His love.

·See students weep in complete repentance over their empty lives, drugs, and woundedness and yet leave empowered, restored and full of the Holy Spirit.

·Watch JH kids open up to God for the first time with timidity and expectation and touch Him.

·Sit in a room of sobbing kids as they read their letters from their parents on the last night (I am sure even angels were listening). Teens really do love their mommies and daddies and need to hear their words of love and encouragement desperately.

·Get dumped on a jet ski by a loving teen and know that God is bonding hearts in the process.

·Hug a kid that hasn't been loved by a dad in a long time.

·See young leaders born as they serve, lead and fall in love with youth ministry.

·Pick dirt out of wounds from kids toes.

·Yell at rambunctious kids that can't seem to understand that you're old, tired and want night-night!

·Play until your feet hurt and you have to use "Veterinarian horse gel" just to recover from your muscle pain!

·See the light of heaven in a kids sparkling eyes as they belly laugh at someone crashing on the tubes being pulled behind the 2 ski boats.

·Pry your eyes open with coffee after a late night of camp bed, dayafter soreness and excitement for the day.

All in all this years' camp was a major success and I wanted to thank everyone who sacrificed to make this week happen. You all are amazing and I couldn't do it with out your help, money and prayers. Thank you for everything you have done to help us reach, nurture and love teens. Heaven only knows the impact weeks like these will have on young peoples destinies.

I thank God for the privilege of serving Him by loving kids; it truly is an amazing gift!
I love all of you, and especially our Ground Zero Youth Church teens.

Pastor Eric.