News From Camp - Week 2

N44

B3, 

B4

BINGO!

It's our 4th night of women's mentoring and Bingo night.  Auntie Anna is calling the game while baby Linus sleeps on a cushion and Nicholis is playing with Bristol blocks and singing to us.  The ladies are using M&Ms for counters and the winners pick from a prize bucket.  Thanks Sue Raynor for all the goodies to include.

The challenges have continued here at camp as Uncle Herb struggles with a sore foot, Auntie Chara tries to fight off a cold, and everyday several campers are missing with "flu".

This week we said goodbye to several junior leaders.  Their attendance and attitude made it obvious that Camp Sylvester was no longer the place for them.  It is hard to let go after 9 years together but the time had come.

We have also had to say goodbye to another camper.  He has always struggled at camp but his behaviour has continued to challenge all our best efforts.  His behaviour in the village has also escalated to stealing, threatening others with a knife, destroying gardens, and killing chicks and chickens.  We wish there was a way to get him help but resources here are very limited.

 We understand that he will be sent away by the Grandmother next week as she has run out of patience and is worried about the safety of her other grandchildren.  It is hard to fault her decision.

We are happy to have returned to using the pad next door thanks to our new neighbour.  While the campers have done well using our smaller pad, it is great to have a larger, flat space.

Our theme this week, led by Auntie Anna, is Creation.  While learning about the 6 days of creation she has also tied it into the beautiful environment that surrounds us.  The campers are doing a great job with all the co-operative activities assisted by the junior leaders.

I have been having fun with the "rug rats" up on the big porch.  This group includes 2 special needs campers who can be a real challenge but each day a junior leader comes up to help and we are managing.

Each day, as lunch is being set up by the junior leaders, I have been taking the other camper over to the "reading rock" for stories about The Magic Treehouse.  Yesterday one of the girls asked to read and there are now 4 campers practicing their chapters to read aloud.

This year's junior leader team is made up of 8 boys and 2 girls.  With the recent changes, the team is doing a fantastic job.  They have been arriving early and helping with breakfast preparations and set up.  This morning 3 of them mix and flipped pancakes!  As a reward, they were allowed to make a giant pancake each.  When they brought them into the courtyard, all eyes were on them.  It was a great tangible example of the rewards of extra effort!

Please pray for god's protection and care for those who have left camp, especially Sherquan.  Pray too for healing for Herb, a safe flight for both teams this weekend and health and energy for Chara and I.

Blessings

Auntie Shel