Now that camp is over for the summer, one of the things that strikes me is how quiet it is around this place. Summer brings the sounds and sights of kids having a blast outdoors- swimming, playing, running, chasing, and using “outdoor voices.” They are doing what kids do best, and it’s a joy to watch.
If you keep up with Strong Rock on our Facebook fan page then you are probably aware that we sponsored last Friday’s home game for Strong Rock Christian School in Locust Grove. What an incredible time we had!
T-Bone (Thomas Dunagan) rode down to the game with us and Stretch and Pepper (Andrew and Morgan Holley) met us there to help us spread the word about camp before the game. It was good to see them again as well as many campers that go to school there. I am sure I will miss somebody, but off the top of my head I remember seeing Manny and Reagan Jonson, Hannah Grace and Chelsea Mann, Sarah, Cody, and Jesse Adams, Dani Ramirez, Daley and Nealey Halter, Dusty Huffschmidt, David Carter, Chandler Biles, Chandelle Ulmer, Savannah and Ashton Hood, Cayla and Derek Doolittle, Melvinique Mann, Sutherland Monahan, Asher, Gabrielle, Hailey and Cy Wilson, and Abigail and Eric Schlegel.
At half time the school honored all of those in public service, remembering those who died in the 9-11 attacks. It was a nice tribute to those who serve by keeping us safe. They played some great patriotic songs while some students and volunteers onfolded an enormous flag on the field.
Before the half was over we selected some potential campers to come out on the field and compete to win a free week at camp. Thay had to race to be the first person to empty a backpack full of camp gear, put it all on correctly, and get back to the finish line. You can see some of the camp gear they had to put on to win. It was fun to watch. Congratulations to Ryan Butterfield for the win. We even had the opportunity to throw t-shirts and Strong Rock rocks into the stands. I sort of felt like a cheerleader at that point.
The evening’s memories were capped off by a most remarkable win for the SRCS Patriots. Playing the Sherwood Baptist Academy Eagles (from the church that made the movie Facing the Giants), the Patriots were not expecting to win and were hoping for a respectable loss. To make this story shorter, the Pats won 52-33! They couldn’t do anything wrong. I think head coach Cris Bell was as shocked as the Eagles! It was truly a most memorable night.
One of the camper favorites for the 2009 summer was our newest waterfront toy - The Blob. The jump off the tower was a little intimidating for some, but once they made that leap, the fun and laughter could be heard across the lake. Check out this short video clip to see for yourself what the blob is all about.