OVERNIGHT CAMPS 

The past year has been described in a lot of different ways: unprecedented, frightening, once-in-a-lifetime, and extraordinary seem to top the list. There’s one other description that may work even better: lonely.

Most of us have had our normal routines disrupted and our normal schedules shattered. That means lots of people have felt isolated and alone. Fortunately for us, with God we are NEVER ALONE!

God has promised to never leave us alone or abandon us. Even on our worst days and in the worst situations, we are never really alone. God is with us. He walks beside us to comfort and encourage us when life is hard.

At First Junior 2021, we’re going to see all the ways God is with us and we’re going to explore several Bible stories where God was with His people…even when they felt alone.

Theme: Walk The Walk

It can be hard to live the way God wants us to live. Fortunately, God knows we struggle and he’s given us His most powerful gift; His Spirit in our lives. This year, at High School week of camp, we’re going to dig in to what it means for a Christian to “Walk the Walk” by taking a look at Galatians chapter 5 and the “Fruit of the Spirit.” This will be one of the most practical and memorable journeys we could explore with our students.

THE FUN STUFF

Rule no. 1 at High School week is “Camp should be fun!” So, as we learn how to “Walk the Walk” you can expect a full week of fun games, classic outdoor camp activities, team competitions, and unexpected twists.

Every year our High School students check out on Friday saying, “That was the best week of camp EVER” and this year, will NOT disappoint.

We create 4 distinctly different learning environments each day that will help grow our students in faith and understanding:

Team SOAP Time
SOAP is an acronym – Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer. After breakfast, students will meet with their team and leaders to work through a scripture each day. It’s a practical tool they can bring home with them and use daily!

AC Time
AC Time is the name of this year’s morning class.

We’ll have them in the MPB in the 4 air conditioned classrooms. Each cohort will be assigned a class room for the week. The Teachers will rotate daily. (for example: teacher “A” might teach the Orange Cohort on Monday, then teach the same lesson to the Purple Cohort on Tuesday, Green or Thursday, and Blue on Friday.) In this class we will be discovering Keys to Spiritual Formation.

Vespers
After spending the majority of the day in the “fun” stuff, we re-group in the evening for a group worship time and teaching time. There is a time of worshiping God with our band and hearing a powerful and challenging message from our speakers. This year we will spend our evening vespers sessions discovering “The Steps to Walking the Walk. Vespers tends to be a highlight for most of our campers.

Campfire
Before we turn in for the night, the whole camp gathers one last time for “campfire.” Each night one of our staff members share their testimony of how God has moved in their life. It is powerful for our students to hear from so many of the staff they look up to. Thursday night is “Sr. Night.” We campers who are interested to share their testimony too.

This session begins and ends at RCC. Camper check-in and check-out will happen normally.

Campers will spend Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday nights at Goose Creek State Park, located about 10 miles from RCC. The group sites at Goose Creek have toilets, sinks, and running water. We have constructed our own portable showers to bring with us. The showers will be cold as no hot water is available.

Campers will sleep in tents that are provided. They may bring their own tent if they wish. We will spend the days hiking the trials, building friendships, swimming and canoeing in the river.

Changed

God’s love is greater than our brokenness and has the power to change your life. This summer, we will see Jesus through the eyes of the people who followed Him. Join us for an exciting week full of fun and friends as we study the extraordinary journey of the lives that were “Changed” by Jesus.

STAND UP FOR GOD

Daniel 3:16-18

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us[c] from Your Majesty’s hand. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego wouldn’t bow down to a false idol, the king threw them in a fiery furnace. At Explorers Camp this year, we will learn that when we stand up for God, He will stand up for us. God needs us to take a stand and speak the truth. He needs us to light the way and show people what is right, even when no one else will stand with us. Don’t be afraid to take a stand for Jesus! When you stand up for God, you never stand alone.

Laney Hodges grew up going to Roanoke Christian Camp, first as a camper and then as a Junior Counselor. She has served as Dean for our Day Camps and for the past several years has been a counselor/Dorm Mom for 1st Junior Week. Laney is the Children’s Minister at Journey Church in Washington, NC. She has been working with kids since 1999 and has a heart for seeing children grow in their relationships with the Lord. Laney lives in Washington with her husband, Jimmy, their daughter, Amy Ruth, and assorted critters (a dog, lots of cats, and a horse). She loves to sing, to craft, and to hang out with family and friends. Laney is very excited to serve as dean of Explorers Camp!