Summer Campout - Camp Wynola

Well, it's now 2011. We have just returned from Sectional Campout at Camp Wynola in Julian CA.  Pictures will be loaded soon (if you have any pictures to add, send them to me). Boys had lots of fun and even won some trophies and award ribbons. Dominic got 2nd place for the Scripture Bee, having memorized Ephesians 6:10-17  
 The weather was nice during the day. But it got sort of cold at night, a cloud settled in the mountain both nights, and on Saturday morning at least one boy, who had wandered into the thick fog when going to pee, reported possible zombie sightings. Of course, if there were zombies (which I doubt) they were probably attracted by all the noise in tent #4, eh? 
 Friday night they fed us spaghetti and meatballs. After that we had a council fire meeting with worship music lead by Epic Youth Band and then a nice message by Pastor Tony Young (both from San Diego 1st Assembly)  Pastor Tony talked about his childhood and let us know we are all welcome to God's family. Five of our boys went forward to the altar call. 
  After the service, we went on a night-hike. The moon was full and none of us needed flashlights to see our way. But flash lights are fun anyway. Commander Jon (we still claim him as part of OP 106) led us to a huge slanted rock where all of us were able to lay down and see a giant night sky. We all had a chance for a quiet time of meditation or contemplation. Afterwards we hiked a different way back and ended up in line for a great hot brownie and ice cream dessert (sugar right before bedtime? I think we have an answer to why tent #4 was still awake after midnight!). 
  Saturday started out foggy and damp, quite a change for boys from the South Bay. Boys who did not stay up talking too late came out to join me in morning meditation and we prayed and visited until reveille was sounded. Boys pretended to brush teeth and then we headed off to the camp kitchen for a nice breakfast. And it was in breakfast line where learned why not to swing sticks, thank God we started the day praying for the Armor of God. We eat scrambled eggs and other stuff. Then right into the day of fun. There was so much to do!  Boys competed in basketball, volleyball, mud pit tug-of-war, mud pit jousting, mud pit obstacle course, archery (not in the mud pit--but that would have been so crazy!), paintball, wrist rockets, tomahawk throwing, and so much more. The FCF Villiage had lots of pioneer and trapper era items for boys to look at and touch. Several boys purchased things and later a loud wooden whistle was seen added as fuel for the marshmallow roast. Hot dogs for lunch, and tacos for dinner. 
  Saturday evening we met again for the Council Fire and Pastor Tony called us to expect God's strong hand in our lives as we surrender to His will and let the Holy Spirit guide us to do great things as God's Champions. Two more of our boys went forward. After that we returned to our Outpost campsite and roasted marshmallows. Campout cannot be complete without a roaring fire, Jiffy Pop popcorn, and s'mores! Then there was the call back to the kitchen for servings of peach cobbler. I got to use my funny line (inherited from Cdr Wayne-Yellow Buffalo) when a boy innocently asked: "what's a cobbler?" "A guy who makes shoes, sometimes elves help him." 
   After that we hit the sleeping bags and by morning a heavy fog had settled in again. Boys got up early and got the gear all packed. We left tents up, hoping the sun would come out and dry them before we left. Breakfast was pancakes. After we had a service and then awards. I felt even more guilty having chickened out on the tug-of-war when our commanders team didn't even get a mention. I did take some pictures of their heroics against men twice their size!  The pastor reminded boys to continue as God's champions.
  All of the boys pitched in before long we had all the tents down, the gear packed and were headed back to home and showers and a return to a place where sassing-back gets you something. 
  But all humor aside, I think this was a really great campout! Everyone had fun, nobody got hurt, boys tried things they had never done before, heard some valuable things about who God wants them to be, and most important of all, we once again returned with all the boys we left with! Thank you Bonita Valley Community Church and Pastor Dustin for all you did to help us. Can't wait until September and the Divisional Fun Camp!