Camp Experience Part 1

The theme for this past week of High School camp was “Lost.” The idea was to vividly portray Peter’s concept in his first epistle that we are resident aliens in a strange and foreign place, but that our lives should still be exemplary.

To that end, we staged a plane crash and went the week simulating life on a deserted island. Let me say, the plane crash was awesome! I was sort of the head pyro for that. We had a crashed plane fuselage that we put napalm on top of. We dug a couple of trenches and put pans of kerosene with wreckage on top of. Then we lit it all on fire, dropped a couple of smoke bombs, and the crash was believable.

Of course blowing things up was not the point of the week. Rather, we wanted the students to ask questions and hopefully receive an answer. Questions like:
How will we survive? What will we do for food?
How will I interact with the rest of the people stranded with me?
What about the unknown on this island? Are there natives? Are they friendly?
What will the future hold? Should I seek rescue or try to thrive here?
What about my past? Does it matter? Can it be redeemed?

It was a very unique and experiential week both for the students and staff. Life as a Christian was presented in a different way that encouraged us as Christians to approach our relationship with Christ and others in a much different way. This week I hope to unpack some of the theological themes found throughout the week. You are welcome to browse through the over 300 photos from the week at the camp’s website.