We arrived on Monday and assigned the kids (and adults) into two teams. These two teams competed for points all week and were lead by captains which the Hubs and I assigned ahead of time. We chose older boys (a senior and a junior) who we felt could encourage their teammates and cultivate their leadership skills. We also gave them their schedule and Bible study worksheets for the week.
After breakfast, the kids started each day with 45 minutes to an hour of quiet time and devotional time. Each night the Hubs would give them a few guideline for what he wanted them to read and pray about. Several of the kids told me throughout the week how much this time meant to them. And it gave the adults time to get ready of the rest of the morning's events.
After morning devotionals, we had what I called Kid's Church Flashback Trivia. Several of the kids in our youth group did not grow up in church, which means that they didn't really get to learn some of the basic Bible stories that kids learn in Sunday School and Kid's Church. Additionally, the Bible is R rated at best, and even when kids do learn those basic Bible stories, they sometimes have to be cleaned up a little bit to protect the innocence of the children. It is good to go back and revisit those stories that we learned at kids. So we spent the week studying the story of Joseph from Genesis 37-50. I would spend about 30 minutes reading from the Scripture and discussing various topics from the text. Then I would spend the next 30 minutes asking the kids questions from the chapters we had just read and discussed. We used the Jeopardy buzzers that had been in storage for years at the church and the kids loved it! And it gave them a chance to earn points for their teams.
The next item on the schedule was Game Show Hour. I pulled most of these ideas from games the Hubs and I played while at camp growing up. And something just don't get old. What was fun 15 years ago is still fun today! Tuesday was based on Survivor--outwit, outplay, outlast. It was teamwork, puzzles, and gross food eating just like on the show!
Wednesday was American Gladiators--feats of strength. Basically, it was racing while pulling a smaller person in a bed sheet plus a couple of other games.
Thursday was I Survived a Japanese Game Show also known as stupid human tricks. Think childhood games like the Dizzy Lizzy and water balloons.
We saved the best until last--Friday was Super Sloppy Double Dare. This day wasn't so much about the points as it was just us getting to get the kids really messy!
We ate lunch after games. Let me just say that the food was great, and what made it even better is that I did not have to plan, shop for, or prepare said meals. I just showed up in the Dining Hall on time, held out my plate, and someone put food on it. I could (and did) get used to that! After lunch, we participated in activities provided onsite by the Ocoee Retreat Center where we stayed. They do a phenomenal job, and if you are looking for a great place for a business or youth retreat, check them out. We chose four activities: Adventure Race, paintball, white water rafting on the Ocoee River, and a day at the crazy lake.
The kids had a little bit of down time between their afternoon activities and dinner, and they made the best of it with pick up volleyball games, playing cards and board games, and just goofing off with guitars on the deck.
After dinner, the Hubs lead a Bible study lesson about staying rooted in the Lord with prayer, Bible reading, evangelism, community, and worship. The night of worship was an AMAZING night with the kids and Lord. There is just nothing like watching 20 youth have a dynamic encounter with Jesus.
At the end of the week, we got to announce the Orange Team as the winners and pack everyone up to head home tired but refreshed in the Lord. Thank you, Jesus, for giving us this wonderful time with these kids that we love so much!
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