SKIT NIGHT!!

What can I say!?!? Skit Night deserves it's own post...it is fun...it is crazy!! Our kids and counselors did a great job of pulling together skits and songs about photosynthesis, the water cycle, the 5 senses, etc... I think the pictures will tell the story!

Thursday Fun!

The week kept flying by...Thursday morning the kids headed out for an all day hike. They packed lunches right after breakfast, brought rain gear but were thankful for sun! They were out hiking from about 9:30am to 3:00pm but most trail groups only walked for 5-7 miles over the course of the day. They ate lunch at one of the stops and each group traveled a slightly different route. Throughout the day, they traded clues with different groups as they tried to discover which naturalist had "kidnapped" ROBO SQUIRREL in the night!

Night Hike!!

Through tears (for some), prayers (for many) and with the love and encouragement of teachers, naturalists and counselors, all the kids went on the Wednesday night hike. Most of them have never been on a hike in the dark and they had much fear. Some were praying (quietly and out loud) along the way...and they all made it through the hike! Some even said it was the highlight of their week! Ask them to tell you about their experiences!

Wednesday afternoon electives and Rec Time

The kids always have a BLAST on Wednesday afternoons. They are allowed to choose from a variety of electives and don't have to stay in their trail groups or cabin groups. They can sign up to do an elective that interests them. Some kids chose to make home made spearmint chapstick...that room smelled so great! Others did basket weaving (sometimes they do that on the edge of the swimming pool but this year it was an inside activity because of the rain. They made all different shaped baskets. Many of the boys created "rockets" out of soda bottles and had so much fun blasting them into the air!!! Some of the went soooooo high!!

One group headed out to pull the dreaded "Scotch broom" a weed that invades the forests around here...you can see the tree-like one they attacked and carried home like a trophy!

A hailstorm hit for about 3-5 minutes and the kids thought it was a party! They all yelled and cheered and ran out into the hail to dance around! We are having so much fun and the kids are having new adventures!

During Rec time, some went into the pool (but many less than yesterday because it was MUCH colder today). Some of the kids used their rec time to help with a project to write letters to children in Ethiopia to be included in care packages that one of the local churches is sending to children they sponsor in Ethiopia. Their notes were so encouraging to the Ethiopian children. Lots of kids hung out in the Rec Room playing games, reading by the fire or chatting with counselors.

Dinner was great (tri tip, mashed potatoes, home made bread, corn, salad) and they are off on their night hike. The rain has vanished (for now) and they are off on their grand adventure. We're looking forward to hearing about it when they get back!

Our TKA teenagers are amazing!!

We are so thankful to have amazing teenagers working with the sixth graders this week. They have gone on very wet hikes, motivated kids to minimize food waste, facilitated cabin time. They have helped the kids navigate friendship issues, work through homesickness and cheerfully done dining hall clean up and trash pick up! They enjoy their free time and rec. time with the sixth graders. They have been a big blessing to us.

Here's Miss Smith's insight into our counselors:

Our counselors are amazing; I know that I say that every year, but they truly are a huge blessing to us. THANK YOU to all of you who did the extra work to get them ready for this week away. I honestly do not know how we could function without them; and their love, care, understanding, and incredible insight (yes, insight) into ministering to our students is mind-boggling. They truly love our sixth graders, and I love observing the interactions they have with the kids.

Indoor Campfire

When it is a rainy Science Camp, the Naturalists get creative and have campfire INDOORS (in a giant fireplace). Their costumes were silly, their songs and games were fun and crazy. And, they managed to have all the kids and counselors make s'mores in an orderly fashion! They have it down to an amazing system and I think almost 200 kids and counselors made s'mores while one of the Naturalists shared part of his story of life and faith.

Science Camp 2010

Students from TKA have settled into rainy Mt Hermon....they are having fun and enjoying the camp despite the weather.  Wet nature hikes, making posters inside, playing bird games, hanging out with friends, the snake lab and climbing wall are all fun Tuesday morning activities.  Even though wet, the kids are having a great time.