tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87465104361509792162024-03-13T23:17:33.955-07:00The Christian Camp LeaderJim Badkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160762579147464272noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746510436150979216.post-52705114263672309092024-01-30T22:17:00.000-08:002024-01-31T10:52:27.341-08:00Our Incredible Camp Properties<p>I have been to many Christian summer camps and am always amazed at the stunning properties that God has provided for us. Sure, a few of our camps are a simple field with an above-ground swimming pool. But many are fabulous waterfront properties with mountain views, worth millions (or at least million-dollar views).</p><p>One of these is on a small, remote island on the West Coast of British Columbia. When I first visited Copper Island in Barkley Sound, it was owned by a man named Nelson Dunkin, who had lived there with his wife Mina for 19 years and, after her passing, remained for another 11 years. Their dream was to have a community of believers live there and operate a camp for children. When Nelson's health failed, he passed on his vision and his property to a newly-formed society that has now run summer camps for First Nations children on the island for the past 35 years.</p><p>I decided that Nelson Dunkin's story is worth telling. I first met him in 1978, when I was working for a camp at the north end of the famous West Coast Trail. We would occasionally take campers to his island property to encourage him with our presence and complete a few chores. This past year, I interviewed dozens of people who knew Nelson, and I gathered up their stories, photos, letters and memories into a book.</p><p><i>The Island and i: Nelson Dunkin of Copper Island</i> is now available, either by <a href="mailto:jimbadke@gmail.com">contacting me</a> or online at <a href="https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1777710170" target="_blank">Amazon</a>. Proceeds from the book will go to help kids get to camp this summer who otherwise could not go.</p><p>Have you ever considered writing up the story of the person(s) through whom God gave you your amazing camp property?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KKHxvWc6v4FguzZpGPcbgUsXFWHxHMtpCDBcc03erGO5mPx5aA0QuxRHqU0afKLkwo_ANTwMxtCo8ymm84EX27X6b-anYANjrqtVnduTYXzn2qNOLDYYWC7s3sLMagmPYOmC_-boqNX7zj9-hvyylGBDeJ5nc34WhmMdyTtTSUch1ufNjkfog3W85F8/s2610/nelson-colour-mockup.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2224" data-original-width="2610" height="341" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6KKHxvWc6v4FguzZpGPcbgUsXFWHxHMtpCDBcc03erGO5mPx5aA0QuxRHqU0afKLkwo_ANTwMxtCo8ymm84EX27X6b-anYANjrqtVnduTYXzn2qNOLDYYWC7s3sLMagmPYOmC_-boqNX7zj9-hvyylGBDeJ5nc34WhmMdyTtTSUch1ufNjkfog3W85F8/w400-h341/nelson-colour-mockup.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Jim Badkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160762579147464272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746510436150979216.post-54558082954637790882023-08-14T14:22:00.000-07:002023-08-14T14:22:07.461-07:00 Give Up On Weariness<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iBlSVdyNGutr6YIaU-k_FgvU2F0Z9pDr_jt5Kah8GlxFOCedNtUWE5_X9ON7fQKhuueok7jTQKchU_pzYis-oMmurjDRbsNsWRroMaiKWXrd67umrVLYZC6BIpDsBycgHnkbLAP8W9TzLyb95_PPlhDqBPC5BkQbwbonOB7nKNCfLpA1CJiU6y4Yy6Q/s299/boots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="299" data-original-width="299" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8iBlSVdyNGutr6YIaU-k_FgvU2F0Z9pDr_jt5Kah8GlxFOCedNtUWE5_X9ON7fQKhuueok7jTQKchU_pzYis-oMmurjDRbsNsWRroMaiKWXrd67umrVLYZC6BIpDsBycgHnkbLAP8W9TzLyb95_PPlhDqBPC5BkQbwbonOB7nKNCfLpA1CJiU6y4Yy6Q/w200-h200/boots.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Have you ever returned from a backpacking trip, sweaty, dirty and tired? You arrive back at the parking lot where you started, and there are all these clean people getting ready to set out. Their packs are trim and tidy, their boots aren’t muddy and they’re talking together excitedly. You try not to, but you kind of strut past them, wearing your dirt, your smell and your tired limbs like badges of honour. You’ve done it! These new guys have no idea what’s coming. You’re tired, but you’ve earned it!<br /></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">I hope you feel that way right now: sweaty, trail-stained and tired—but wearing it like a medal. Three-quarters of the way into a summer of camp ministry, you are all veterans now, even if this is your first summer. Go ahead, strut a little!<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">But there is another kind of tired that I hope you’re not: the kind that’s not just tired, but tired of. Tired of late nights and early mornings. Tired of campers who don’t listen, a bunkmate who snores and maybe even camp food. This kind of tiredness is called “weariness,” and it’s a killer: it chokes motivation, dissolves empathy and derails good intentions.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Weariness is like that pair of shoes mom always threatens to throw away because they are so worn out and ugly. But so darn comfortable too. You can wallow in weariness and not realize it’s draining the life out of you. I wish tiredness on you, because you’ve earned it, but I would never wish weariness on you. Neither does God. His word says it straight out: “Don’t become weary of doing good...” Then it tells you why: “…because, at the proper time, you will reap a harvest, if you don’t give up” (Galatians 6:9).<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">The cool thing about a harvest is that it’s not one of those “you will get out of it only what you put into it” kinds of things. If you plant a bushel of wheat and—come harvest time—you gather only a bushel of wheat, you’re not much of a farmer. Whatever you plant, you should expect many times as much in return.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Here is how to defeat weariness! Look up and see the harvest that’s happening all around you. Every little act of kindness toward a camper produces something new and astonishing. Every frustration you have put up with was well worth the trouble. That’s because God takes everything we offer him and grows it into something much bigger and better.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">So don’t give up! Instead, give up on weariness and embrace your tiredness. The return on your investment will be worth every effort made in Jesus’ name. Take time today to strut a little.<o:p></o:p></p>Jim Badkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160762579147464272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746510436150979216.post-26467424182777863932023-07-17T14:57:00.000-07:002023-07-17T14:57:17.675-07:00Neighbors: A Quarter-Summer Reflection on The Good Samaritan<p><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif;">Let me tell you about my neighbor.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">This summer, we are staying in a friend’s carriage house in a remote area with a few houses strung along a beautiful river valley. It sounds idyllic, but it has proved far from serene. In particular, there is one fellow who thinks nothing of blaring loud, aggressive music while using his chainsaw—at 10:30 in the evening.</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">So who is my neighbor?<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">That is the question a lawyer once asked when Jesus agreed with him that the two greatest commands are to love God and love your neighbor. As he often did, Jesus answered the man with a story that has become the quintessential depiction of neighborly love. But there is one problem: Jesus got the story all wrong.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">It should have gone like this: A Samaritan is attacked and left for dead, and a Jewish man finds him. The Jewish man condescends to help the unfortunate fellow even though he is a Samaritan. This story would have answered the Pharisee’s question, Who is my neighbor? And this story would have justified him, which is what he wanted.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Instead, Jesus tells a very unexpected story, one in which a Samaritan—not a Jew—is the hero. And Jesus changes the question to this: Who <i>was</i> the neighbor? This story forces the self-righteous Pharisee to admit that, in spite of his feelings about Samaritans, if he was in trouble he would want to be treated well even if a Samaritan was the only guy around to do the job. In this situation, he would want the Samaritan to be his neighbor, even though in all other circumstances he would not.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Going back to my loud neighbor as an example, one might think, Well, I don’t want this person to do anything for me. I would rather have nothing to do with him. Though that seems reasonable, Jesus’ parable would say that my attitude precludes me from loving my neighbor. Until we get to the point where we are willing to be loved by unlovely people, we will never know how to do for others as we would have them do for us.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">Your campers are your neighbors. Some will be easy to love. Big deal! Anyone can love the nice ones. What about the campers that are hard to love, the ones that—if you were willing to admit it—you would rather not have in your cabin group? In other words, you would prefer that they were not your neighbor.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p> </o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;">What would you be willing to have those campers do for you, if you were in need? Whatever answer you give to that question limits the level of love you have to offer them. When Jesus told the lawyer, “Go and do likewise,” he didn’t mean he should become a compassionate Samaritan. He meant that he should become a Jew who was willing to receive the compassion of a Samaritan. Only then could he learn to love his neighbor as himself. <o:p></o:p></p>Jim Badkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160762579147464272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746510436150979216.post-65186013042164604992023-04-03T19:27:00.001-07:002023-05-10T20:23:04.398-07:00How To Use The Camp Liverwurst Series At Your Camp<p>Have you ever listened outside the door as a cabin leader does their best to lead the devotional time with their campers? The conversations you hear can be heartwarming. But often, what you hear can be disheartening and even alarming. What did we expect, after loading kids with cookies and hot chocolate right after the night game and sending them off to bed?</p><p>Consider how Jesus captivated the crowds that followed him. Sometimes he preached, but more often he told stories. He didn't usually even explain what the story was about. He let the story speak for itself, tweaked the imagination and provoked a response.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-0gI_dQ7YhxTav69Ld49rk57x21g2wrXmUpAyQKnO50Vn00g67zQHX-DrXJwDYOQ4xbXwb35wvtyAn5k0AvkYwvpQr8WETs_bBmhCeG6uEKugAQQO-p8e79jM4XLOfbU-9RcABLEN9b0wA62d4VVPAXJwd3yCDB1S06i4OiRpkokS79yEghQArhQ/s200/imagine.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL-0gI_dQ7YhxTav69Ld49rk57x21g2wrXmUpAyQKnO50Vn00g67zQHX-DrXJwDYOQ4xbXwb35wvtyAn5k0AvkYwvpQr8WETs_bBmhCeG6uEKugAQQO-p8e79jM4XLOfbU-9RcABLEN9b0wA62d4VVPAXJwd3yCDB1S06i4OiRpkokS79yEghQArhQ/s1600/imagine.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><p></p><p>My new series of novels can be read aloud by cabin leaders to spark discussions about Jesus. Imagine campers sitting on the edge of their seats instead of swinging from the rafters! The use of story is a pretty simple concept, but I realize it is new to some camps and will take a while to catch on. Here are a few ways to use the Camp Liverwurst series this summer:</p><p><b>1. Try it out. </b>There is no better way to determine the effectiveness of this resource than to sit down with a middle-schooler in your life and read one of the books out loud to them. Backers of this project have made it possible for me to mail out some samples. All you need to do is <a href="mailto:jimbadke@gmail.com">ask</a>.</p><p><b>2. Order books for your cabin leaders.</b> I suggest <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BTMY8SWH?binding=paperback" target="_blank">ordering</a> enough books that at least half of your cabin leaders could borrow a copy for the week. The first book in the series, <i>The Search For Bigfoot</i>, is about a young guy who is new to camp; the second, <i>The Lost Compass</i>, is about a girl from the first book. Each stands alone, so they don't have to be read in order. And there are more in the series to come! I can order as many books as you need at 20-30% off, and cover taxes and shipping. Just <a href="mailto:jimbadke@gmail.com">contact me</a>.</p><p><b>3. Coach cabin leaders on how to use the book.</b> Here are some suggestions, plus there are more tips in the <a href="http://www.campleader.ca/2022/04/why-and-how-to-read-aloud-to-middle.html" target="_blank">blog post</a> below:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Every 10-minute chapter can be used to spark conversations about God. </li><li>Questions and activities are provided at the end of the book to be used as prompts (not a script!) for discussion, as needed.</li><li>Plan on reading two to three chapters per day—for cabin devotions, during wake-up, after a meal or on a break. </li><li>Campers will likely ask you to read more each day!</li></ul><p></p><p><b>4. Order books for your camp store.</b> Display them on the final day of camp. If campers enjoyed the book, they may want to bring a copy home, which means that they (and other family members) will read it again and stir up memories of their camp experience. Also, cabin leaders sometimes don't make it to the last chapter, and campers don't want to be left hanging!</p><p><a href="mailto:jimbadke@gmail.com">Let me know</a> if you have any questions or comments about the Camp Liverwurst series!</p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><o:p></o:p></p>Jim Badkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160762579147464272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746510436150979216.post-27666358237524582302023-01-12T15:15:00.005-08:002023-04-03T19:13:43.251-07:00Kickstarter for the Second Camp Liverwurst Novel<p><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1777710154" target="_blank">Camp Liverwurst & the Stray Compass</a></i> is the second in the Camp Liverwurst series of read-aloud novels for middle-school campers, launching January 31. These novels are designed to aid cabin leaders with the daunting task of leading camper devotions.</p>I am running a <b><span style="color: red;">Kickstarter campaign</span></b> to help with production and promotion costs of this series. If you would like to invest in this project, please <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jimbadke/camp-liverwurst-childrens-series" target="_blank"><span style="color: red;">click here</span></a>.<div><br /></div><div>UPDATE: The Kickstarter was successful! Thanks to all who backed this project. Your books as rewards are on their way.<br /><p></p><i>Camp Liverwurst & the Stray Compass</i> brings back one of the girls from the first book who is struggling with her identity. Maddie isn’t sure who she is anymore. Camp Liverwurst is still Maddie’s favourite place ever. But everything seems different this year, including Maddie. Now her new cabin leader wants to take them away on an epic adventure. No friends, snow in summer, a wobbly boat and baffling creatures—what could possibly go wrong?</div>Jim Badkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160762579147464272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746510436150979216.post-43396186207288176682022-04-12T11:05:00.015-07:002023-02-15T22:54:39.776-08:00Why and How to Read Aloud to Middle-School Campers<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As a cabin leader, when was the last time your campers were on the edge of their seats as you led them in cabin devotions? Did they groan when you got to the end and say, “Please, just a little more!” Have you ever overheard them talk together about your devo’s as if they were discussing a movie they just watched together? If so, well done! You can stop reading this article.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you are like the rest of us, our best cabin devotions hardly had that effect. Not many cabin leaders look forward to the time of day when we try to communicate the one most important message to campers as they swing from the rafters and hit one another with pillows. Perhaps we should consider a new and ancient method: read a story aloud to your campers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A Google search on the benefits of reading aloud to middle-school children generates dozens of articles from educators and parents. For middle-school children, reading has only recently moved from a social to an individual exercise. They may have gained much by launching into their personal literary pursuits, but consider all they have lost (and likely really miss):<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Reading aloud builds connections. </b>There is something irreplaceable about the bond that is formed when an adult reads a story to a child. Even listening to an audiobook together doesn’t produce the same feeling of closeness and shared experience.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Reading aloud creates a safe space.</b> When you are listening to a story being read, there is nothing to do but respond. No need to impress, no online image to maintain, no competition. Just enjoyment and wonder and suspense. It’s cozy and comfortable, and you can’t wait for the next time.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Reading aloud cultivates engagement.</b> Watching a video is easy. Even reading to yourself requires little focus. Being read to engages our minds in so many ways—listening, processing, imagining. There is also the opportunity to pause where you want, to ask a question or make a comment.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Reading aloud stimulates anticipation.</b> “Should we stop right there?” you ask, as the protagonist hears something big moving toward them in the dark woods. “Noooo!!” is the collective response. “What happens next” becomes deliciously enticing when read aloud.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Reading aloud forms lasting memories.</b> Especially for older kids who are usually expected to read for themselves, there are few opportunities to have someone read to them. Like receiving a hand-written letter in the mail, they will not forget it very soon.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Reading aloud generates conversation.</b> Because it is a shared experience, a story read aloud lends itself to discussion. It raises questions, and you find out that others are asking the same thing. You talk together about how you responded and what it all means. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A story read aloud can provide all the requirements of a solid cabin devotional, and can do it better. Stories were the method of choice in Jesus’ teaching, the whole point being to provoke the listeners to explore, to ask the right questions and to seek the truth.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here are some tips on reading aloud to campers:<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Get them comfortably gathered together.</b> Don’t attempt to read to campers who are in their own bunks. They will not love you for it when they miss half the story. Get them all on your bunk, around a table or on a blanket on the floor.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Ask God to speak through the story.</b> Whether you make prayer part of the experience or simply lift up a “Nehemiah Prayer” (Nehemiah 2:4), ask God to do what only he can do.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Enthusiasm is more important than skill.</b> Do you think you’re a lousy reader? No problem, as long as you read with gusto. Laugh at your mistakes. Get excited as you read; get tense, get sad, get mad.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Practice makes perfect.</b> Reading aloud is a performance. Practice ahead of time and expect to improve as you gain experience. With that in mind… <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Don’t ask the campers to do the reading. </b>This can stigmatize some campers and will likely take away from rather than add to the experience.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Vary your reading style.</b> Respond to the story. Speed up. Slow down. Speak loudly. Speak softly. You don’t have to give the characters different voices unless you (and your campers) enjoy it.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Don’t be afraid to stop for discussion or to answer questions.</b> You might even have a mid-point question in mind, like about what they think will happen next or what they would have done if they were the character.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Watch for and adjust to their response.</b> Kids can look bored or restless and still be listening. Some kids will do better with something to do with their hands, like drawing what they are hearing or hugging a stuffie. Don’t read longer than they want to listen. Ask if you should stop.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Find the best times to pull out the book.</b> Reading aloud is worth the investment of time, so figure out the best times. Just before sleep is a given (for more than one reason!). How about as campers are waking up? Or after a meal? Does your camp have a quiet time after lunch? What about when campers are in a circle on the field, munching chips and candy bars? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Leave room for anticipation.</b> If the story is exciting enough, campers will never want you to stop. And they might pester you to read more. Anticipation is gold in your pocket. Spend it wisely, and not all in one place.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Convinced? Not until you try it! Choose a book. Practice on your roommate. Think about how each chapter might lead to a discussion about God and his word. Tuck the book (or two) in your bag when you go to camp this summer. And wonder why you never did it before.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>A Few Examples:</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BTMY8SWH" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">The Camp Liverwurst Series</a><b>, by Jim Badke</b> (yep, this is the commercial)</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Camp Liverwurst is like no place on earth. Imagine Noah as your cabin leader, Miriam and David as worship leaders and Queen Esther running the games! This middle-school novel combines an intriguing story with rich biblical content. Included are questions and activities to prompt Bible discussions about faith in Jesus, overcoming fear and what it means to love God with all our heart.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Though it would be difficult to read any one of the seven books to campers in the span of a week, some sections are pure gold and can stand on their own. Aslan’s death and resurrection in The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. Edmond’s transformation from a dragon to a boy again in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Lucy following the lion through the woods when no one else will in Prince Caspian. All are rich descriptions of God and his people.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Bible Stories</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Straight from the Bible, these stories may be above most kids’ reading level, but reading aloud can make them accessible. Have you read recently the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Daniel 3)? Its constant repetition is hilarious—and the lessons significant. Try out some of the accounts of Esther, Jonah, Daniel, Noah, David, Ruth in the Old Testament, and Jesus and the Apostles in the New.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Winnie-The-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner, by A.A. Milne</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Most kids have never heard the original stories, only the Disney aberrations. Not overtly spiritual, perhaps, but these stories are rich with relationship, problem-solving and simplicity. You </span>just need to do the work of helping campers see God in a story where he is not mentioned (which, by the way, you would also need to do with the book of Esther).</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Practically anything by Dick King-Smith</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">You know him best for the movie Babe, about the gallant pig. Other favorites include Three Terrible Trins and The Water Horse. Again, you will need to be creative in forming discussions around these, as the characters are not always (okay, are usually not) well-behaved. But they do tend to learn from their mistakes.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Focus on the Family Kids Novels</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you want to stick to books that are overtly Christian, <a href="about://" style="color: #954f72;">Focus on the Family</a> has dozens: Adventures in Odyssey, Last Chance Detectives and many more.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"></span></p>Jim Badkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160762579147464272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746510436150979216.post-80039199905477617272020-12-01T11:02:00.002-08:002020-12-01T11:04:33.725-08:00Training Camp Leaders in a Pandemic<p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have been training young adults in the setting of camp ministry most of my life. In the beginning, I was quick to repeat what I was always told: “Camp is for the camper!” Mostly, we said that to make sure our staff didn’t have too much fun and miss the reason they were there. But I quickly began to see that the ones who were most vitally impacted by the camp environment were the young adults who came to serve there. Many of you might say that your summers of serving at camp were some of the most transformative times of your life.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Half a dozen years ago, I met a camper I will call Sam. He was known for his eagerness to be talked into any crazy stunt for attention and usually finished up by taking off his shirt at the most inappropriate times, like in the middle of the dining hall. Sam wanted to be a cabin leader, and the director gave him the opportunity despite the misgivings of many, including parents of campers. He and his campers had a rough start, but I saw that they loved him and that - in his unique way - he loved them too. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Today, Sam is working in a high school with at-risk kids and is about to marry a great girl who is also a teacher. I would trust Sam with my grandchildren, if my kids would hurry up and have some. How on earth did that transformation take place, I sometimes wonder. I know that it was largely God at work through the ministry of camp. Sam has become the kind of person I would want my grandkids to become, and so I would be glad to have them spend some time together.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Most of you would agree that leadership training is included in the mandate of your ministry. But what is it that we hope to accomplish with these young leaders? Is it that they gain the necessary skills and training to follow our policies? Certainly, but that is not enough. I want to propose to you that the goal is that your leaders become the kind of people you want your campers to become. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">I also want to suggest that much of the discipleship training we will talk about can and should be continued despite the limitations of the pandemic. We “can” do this because there are so many ways to connect these days, and we “should” give time to this training because discipleship is what we do. If we can’t disciple kids as well as we would like, we can at least disciple their leaders.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>The Apostle Paul summed up his ministry like this: “</span><span>[Christ] is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me” (Colossians</span><span> 1:28-29). Paul was not satisfied with well-informed church-goers. He saw his ministry as formative. He was shaping and molding people into the image of Jesus, by the power of God.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span>At the end of 1 Cor 10 and the start of chapter 11, Paul talks about the principles that inform our moral choices and says of himself, “</span><span>I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.</span><span> Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” Paul describes his ministry in the language of discipleship. Christian discipleship is to follow Jesus to become like Jesus and join him in his work. Paul inserts himself into that process. He says, follow me – become like me and join me in my work – and by doing so, you will follow the Jesus I follow. You know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions and sufferings. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Young men such as Timothy and Titus and Mark did just that. We see them fearful and faltering at first, but then as they come under Paul’s example, they catch his vision and become useful ministers of the Gospel. They become like Paul, and in doing so, become like Jesus. Others begin to follow these young guys and girls, and they become like Jesus too. That is how disciples are made.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">The discipleship of your camp leaders is an essential part of your ministry because it is disciples who produce disciples. If the distinctive of Christian camp ministry is that we make disciples of Jesus Christ, the place to begin is to find and develop disciples who can make disciples, who can make disciples.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">In training up young leaders, it makes sense to follow the example of the Master Disciple-Maker, Jesus. I observe several components to his program of discipleship that take place in this order, but that also happen simultaneously.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>1. Choosing</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jesus was selective in finding disciples, and his choices were surprising. Have you seen the miniseries “The Chosen” yet? Each episode develops the imagined character of Jesus’s disciples, and you wonder why on earth he chooses these guys. What I observe about Jesus and his choice of disciples can be applied to the camp setting.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Who will do the choosing of your leaders? Whoever it is has a vital role in their discipleship, which means a high level of spiritual maturity is crucial. If you delegate this role, choose carefully! </span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Look for spiritual hunger, for those who are aware of their spiritual poverty. You have no shortage of young leaders who are spiritually poor! The effects of secular schooling, social pressures, and limited fellowship in this time of COVID are creating a spiritual crisis. And perhaps that is what God has in mind. I believe young adults are desperately hungry right now, and some are realizing that their hunger is for God.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Look for people who are committed to camp, not just interested in camp. Motive matters to God, and it matters to your ministry. If your leaders don't have a fire within them, you will forever have to light a fire beneath them. What are they giving up to be at camp? What are they willing to do to support the overall ministry of your camp?</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Watch for character over experience and skill. It matters much more who they are than what they know or what they can do! </span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Remember that the whole idea is for your campers to become like your leaders as they become like Jesus. Will you be happy if campers become like this potential staff person? Look for people after God's own heart, even if – like King David – they are pretty raw material to begin with.</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">2. Teaching</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is the part many of us find most difficult. How can we do staff training in the midst of a pandemic? What do our leaders need to know? And by what methods can we teach our leaders in these difficult times? Thankfully, this is the one component of the five that we can delegate away, often to the advantage of both the leader and the supervisor. There are quality resources and effective modes of communication available to us today, and these resources are accessible like never before. We will talk about some examples, but first, what is the content we need to teach young camp leaders?</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Jesus’s parable about the sower and the seed shows us that though people hear and receive the Gospel, only some apply faith to what they have received. The rest is stolen or withered or choked away due to poor environments and adverse conditions. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Contrast this with Paul’s use of the metaphor in 1 Cor 3: “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” God has given believers a role in providing the conditions for spiritual growth. Only God can make someone grow, but we can provide an environment that is conducive to the growth of God’s word in someone’s heart. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqB9-D0-epK6NJ4Tgvzpde12Avv4uxCmDIvp85_jeT-MNVp54eiSU2dl1BNphP6V0oJ_tA2TYenZRfU5kndiREn_YO8IGVzYjygdVq-isG3Sig2ubFXYamt-ccJRuYIHaEJWxuww0XV2I/s400/being18-25.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqB9-D0-epK6NJ4Tgvzpde12Avv4uxCmDIvp85_jeT-MNVp54eiSU2dl1BNphP6V0oJ_tA2TYenZRfU5kndiREn_YO8IGVzYjygdVq-isG3Sig2ubFXYamt-ccJRuYIHaEJWxuww0XV2I/w200-h200/being18-25.jpg" width="200" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">Unlike the state of agriculture in the Middle East in New Testament times, camp can be an awesome environment for the word of God to form and grow in people’s lives. Your camper leaders need instruction to be great farmers! Tell them what they need to know to create the environment and conditions needed for spiritual growth. There is much that young adults seem to be expected to know without anyone telling them:</span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do they accurately know the Gospel and how to tell the story of Jesus? </span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do they know how to help campers feel at ease when they first arrive?</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do they know what it takes to build appropriate relationships with kids younger than themselves? </span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Can they communicate their enthusiasm for the natural setting of your camp and instill a sense of wonder in campers?</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Have they ever been responsible to offer hospitality to people outside their own circle?</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">What do they understand about intercessory prayer? Do they know you hope they prayed faithfully for their campers before they arrived?</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do they know how to respond in times of crisis, not just first aid but how to comfort, listen, instill hope, point them to Jesus?</span></li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>3. Showing</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">How you interact with your leaders will inform their interaction with campers. What they see in you, you will discover in them. That can be scary, but camp is a huge opportunity to show rather than simply tell. “Showing” starts before your leaders arrive at camp</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">When you promptly answer their communications with you, they learn valuable lessons in consideration, interest and affirmation. They learn what it feels like to be cared for that way.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Use the interview to encourage and challenge your prospective staff. Show an interest in their story, be ready to listen and care. Offer help with church connections and spiritual disciplines.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Your leaders need to see their supervisors in action at camp. Be a playing coach, one who is willing to do any task or activity you expect of your leaders</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Be kind and considerate in your delegation and direction. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Treat your leaders like you would want to be treated – that was the bottom line for Jesus with his disciples.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Be fair and consistent when making broad decisions that affect your leader’s well-being</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">When you stop in passing to check in with your leaders, always pray with them </span></li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>4. Sending</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Imagine Jesus sending off seventy disciples to multiply his work around the countryside. Most of these had not even made the cut to be one of his twelve, and the twelve themselves were enough of a headache! What was Jesus thinking? At some point, you need to let leaders lead, mistakes and all.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Trust their training – why would you not let them use what they have learned? They will not truly learn until they have tried it out, which includes an element of failure</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Trust their good sense and moral character. Young adults are often more capable than we give them credit for, especially when given the freedom to make choices and find their own way.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Pray hard, and get others praying. This is not a cop-out; prayer is essential to their success.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Stay out of the way, be quick to affirm and slow to step in. As soon as you step in to “fix” a situation young leaders have got themselves into, the learning is limited. Do so only when necessary.</span></li></ul><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>5. Paracleting</b><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Parakaleo” is a Greek word that means “called alongside,” and is translated several ways in the NT: comfort, advocate, encourage, admonish, urge, console, exhort. It is the description Jesus uses of the Holy Spirit who was about to indwell the disciples. Jesus calls him “another Counselor of the same kind,” meaning that Jesus was also a paraclete and he was sending the Holy Spirit to them after their departure to carry on his work.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">First, your leaders desperately need this Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, to empower them for their work. He has gifted them in unique ways, and they need to bear his fruit. Remember, they can only provide the conditions for campers to grow spiritually. You can’t grow plants by pulling on them. The Spirit alone makes people grow.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">You also can be a paraclete to your young leaders, one who comes alongside. Some of this takes place on-site at your camp, as described in the “Showing” section, as you are available to encourage or confront. But camp leaders especially are in need of a paraclete after the camp experience, like the Holy Spirit was for the disciples after Jesus left. </span></li><li><span style="font-family: inherit;">Often camp staff are out of mind as soon as they leave our gates, as there is a host of responsibilities to attend to after the summer. But the transition back into the world after camp can be very difficult for young adults, and it provides an opportunity to extend your discipleship of them.</span></li></ul><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A study led by Sid Koop a couple years ago showed that for those leaving home and entering post-secondary in another town, only 17% will find a church that year. That goes up to 70% if they had a mentor who continues to journey with them for three months after high school grad. Catch that? July, August AND September. Of course, mentoring is not something you can do on your own. But you can help line up fellow paracletes with young camp leaders to see them through this transition. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I want you to notice that paracleting after camp is something we can do in spite of COVID, or maybe even better because of COVID. We can also choose leaders, teach them, show them, perhaps even send them in new and creative ways. These are trying times, but times have usually been trying. In perhaps the most trying time of the Apostle Paul’s life, and very near the end of it, he said these words to his young protégé, Timothy:</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">“Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory” (2 Timothy 2:8-10).<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We might feel chained by the limitations of a global pandemic. Yet the word of God is NOT chained. God has worked in big ways through camp ministry in Canada for the past hundred years or so. But the camp ministry that we feel so nostalgic about now was once innovative, new and daring. What will the work of God look like in 2021? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Can I suggest that a big part of it will be the discipleship of the young leaders we have watched grow up through the ranks at camp? Like Jesus, will you seek them out, find creative ways to teach them, show them the way of Jesus through your interactions with them, discover new ways to send them out, and come alongside to encourage and challenge them in their walk and service? <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><o:p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></o:p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Let’s keep striving to become like Jesus and join him in his work!</span><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>Jim Badkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160762579147464272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746510436150979216.post-29005034140082365142019-06-02T21:09:00.002-07:002019-06-02T21:09:41.241-07:00Suggestions on How to Use This Book<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-US">You may have just received the Kindle version of <i>The Christian Camp Leader </i>for free from Amazon. Welcome! Here are some suggestions of what to do with this book now that you have it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b>1. Encourage your camp friends to download the book too.</b> It is available for free until June 7, and even after that date, it is barely the price of a cup of coffee.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b>2. If you are a soon-to-be camp leader, reading this book will be a great introduction.</b> It may seem a lot to read, but when you consider the monumental task you are taking on as a camp leader, this is the kind of preparation you need. Hopefully, your camp will round out your preparation with some hands-on training when you arrive there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b>3. If you are a camp director, ask your new leaders to download and read this book. </b>You have much more content to get across to your staff than they can absorb in pre-season staff training sessions. Have them read applicable chapters in this book each day in preparation for discussion during your training times.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b>4. Use this manual as the basis of your Leader-in-Training program. </b>Over the years, we have found that trainees are able to absorb the material much better when they not only read or hear it, but also have the opportunity to interact with one another on each topic. The material can be creatively discussed and tried during the training, and the details are left to reading.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b>5. Your leadership staff can refer to this book as a resource.</b> The book is easy to search to find resources and solutions for everyday camp concerns and problems.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><b>6. Many chapters of this book are adaptable to ministries outside the camp.</b> There is valuable information and training material here for the Sunday school teacher, kids club worker, Bible study leader and vacation Bible school or daycamp organizer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Jim Badkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160762579147464272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746510436150979216.post-18209851676533000522018-05-26T20:51:00.000-07:002018-05-26T22:29:10.374-07:00Listening For God In All The Wrong Places<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">We were traveling, and on a rainy Sunday morning found ourselves in a small New Zealand town. We were told there was only one church with a service that day, a tiny Anglican congregation where we were mere children in comparison to the few others gathered there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;">I was restless. We had left our previous camp position months before and were still bruised and wondering what God had next for us, if anything at all. I kept coming across this trite little phrase (I hate trite little phrases), “The best is yet to come.” I wasn’t buying it. Not unless I heard it from the mouth of God himself.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: inherit;"><br />When a small and elderly lady slowly took her seat in the narrow pew directly in front of us, I have to admit I was a little annoyed. There were plenty of seats—why couldn't she sit someplace else? And then the service began. It was High Anglican, very dry, with much standing and sitting and no warning. I found myself thinking about the mountain I wanted to climb the next day, wondering if today church was just a waste of time.<br /><br />You have been there. The woman who has the seat next to you on a long flight and is glad to discover you can't sleep either. The guest speaker who is as boring as a stack of gardening magazines. The philosophy book assigned to you that puts you to sleep again every second page.<br /><br />The small elderly lady sat there with all eyes on her, oblivious to the unspoken fact it was the time in the service when she was to read a prayer from the book. "Gladys," the minister intoned with her face all condescension, "time to..." Gladys stood up from the pew in front of us and began to read. I am sure there were some in the room who were embarrassed with her prayer. She read slowly, with strong enunciation and melodrama—or so many people might take it. To me, she read with passion and devotion; it was like listening to Jesus pray.<br /><br />Then it was time for everyone to get up and say, “Peace be with you." Gladys stood, turned around, looked me straight in the eye and said, “The best is yet to come!”<br /><br />We talked with her for a while—87 years old, a widow for 12, and very much looking forward to heaven. “It is so good to be a believer, isn’t it?” she said. She took us across the street to the hall where everyone had gathered for tea. Several people wanted to talk with us. I heard stories about the mountain I wanted to climb, stories I would not have heard anywhere else.<br /><br />Have you ever stopped at a garage sale on a whim and found the very thing you have wanted for years, and for a song? Have you sighed as you clicked on yet another link your friend posted for you, and it turned out to change your whole day?<br /><br />I think God likes to work like that.<br /><br />"The Lord said, 'Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by.' Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper" (1 Kings 19:11, 12 NIV).<br /><br />Nothing. And then suddenly there was God.<br /><br />Someone asked me the other day how to listen for the voice of God. I thought for a moment, and then told him I am learning to listen for God in the unlikely places. The voice of the guy who is subbing in for the great preacher I was hoping to hear. Random conversations that don't interest me at all. The places I would rather not be, with people I find hard to like. That is where God shows up.<br /><br />If I am listening for him. Otherwise I might miss him altogether. In fact, these days when my boredom meter is reading, "This sucks!" I find myself watching for God like a camp leader who gave his kids all the leftover water balloons.<br /><br />You just know it's coming.</span></div>
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Jim Badkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160762579147464272noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746510436150979216.post-68502758659528884462017-06-04T22:17:00.000-07:002017-11-06T12:13:27.051-08:00Step Out of the Boat!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span lang="EN-US">A number of years ago, I was a youth pastor
in a church surrounded by the homes of many disadvantaged families. The
children used our church parking lot as a playground and we spent time with
them playing games and telling them about Jesus. I noticed their parents never
took them anywhere—they spent every day playing on our parking lot—so I planned
a daycamp adventure for them. MacDonald’s restaurant lent us a bus and driver,
and Whistler Mountain ski hill, venue of the 2010 Winter Olympics, agreed to
let us ride up the mountain on their cable car for free.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">On the day of the trip, about 40 children
climbed onto the bus with a number of our leaders, and away we went. The kids
were so excited, the bus ride alone was enough for them. We arrived at the
mountain and got into the cable car, seven or eight children with a leader in
each car, and their eyes became big as we left the ground and traveled up the
mountain, forty to sixty meters in the air.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">When we reached the top, we hiked
everywhere and threw snowballs from the snow left over from the winter. As we
turned back toward the cable car, I saw big dark clouds coming, so I hurried
the children back to the building at the top. We got back into the cars and
started down the mountain again as the wind began to blow and lightning
flashed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I was in the first car with eight children,
and just as we reached the place highest above the ground, the cable car
suddenly stopped. Rain and hail were falling heavily, thunder and lightning
were all around us, and the wind was making the car sway back and forth
violently, sixty meters in the air.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The children were terrified and screaming.
I had them all sit down, and I told them we were safe, because the door was
closed and wouldn’t open. This was the wrong thing to say. Just as I said it,
the wind came violently under the door—and it opened! I remember holding on and
looking at the ground far below me. Everyone screamed, and finally the door
closed again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I said, “Okay everyone, we’re going to
pray.” Their screams were suddenly silent as I asked God to get the car moving
again and keep us safe. The very moment I said, “Amen,” we heard a click and
the car started moving again! Everyone cheered.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">But it wasn’t over yet. We traveled only a
hundred meters along the cable and the car stopped again. This time the wind
was furious, and I could see it tugging at the door again as I tried to hold it
closed. Through the screams I heard one little voice yell to me, “Pray!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">So I did. I prayed and once again, to my
amazement, the minute I said “Amen” the car started again. The children looked
at me with wide eyes. This time the car carried us almost to the bottom of the
mountain—and stopped again. The wind had died down, the clouds passed and the
sun came out, and the children chattered excitedly about what had just
happened. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">After about twenty minutes of waiting, one
of them looked up and me and said, “Hey, you didn’t pray!” So I did, and right
on cue the car started again, and this time took us all the way to the bottom.
When the kids got back to the church parking lot, I saw them run as fast as
they could to their waiting parents to tell them about their amazing
adventure—and the power of prayer.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">If your camp offers adventure activities,
your instructors know the difference between “perceived risk”—for example as a
camper is belayed up a climbing wall—and “real risk,” which we work hard to
keep to a minimum. I want to ask you: was the experience in the cable car “real
risk,” or only “perceived risk”? Humanly speaking, when a cable car opens its
doors at 60 meters in a thunderstorm, it is a real risk. But the answers to
prayer we witnessed suggest there was no real risk. I imagine we were
surrounded by angels who held on tight, and opened the door just to be funny.
To ask to have this experience again would be to tempt God, but he proved there
was no real risk on the trip down the mountain.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Think about Peter when Jesus invited him to
get out of the boat and walk on the water with him. “Then Peter got down out of
the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.” What was it like, riding
up and down on the waves? Perhaps from the boat it looked fun, but I am sure once
Peter stepped out of the boat, it was pretty frightening.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">To step out of the boat into the storm—was
it real risk, or only perceived risk? Did it only feel dangerous, or was it
really dangerous? Humanly speaking, it was a foolish and risky thing to do. But
because it was Jesus who called Peter out of the boat, and Jesus who was
waiting for him to respond, there was no real risk at all. Peter was perfectly
safe in a very dangerous place.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">When God calls you into a risky place, he
is responsible and faithful to guard you in all your ways. When trouble comes
he will need to give you grace to handle it. When there are obstacles, we will
pray and God will overcome. Even if we stumble, as Peter did, he will be there
to lift us up. We serve a faithful God.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Following Jesus is not a safe thing to do,
as you have likely already discovered, but it is good and worth the risk. When
we are truly following Jesus, it is only a perceived risk, like in the high
ropes course, because Jesus is holding the rope and he will not let us fall.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Is there some action you believe God wants
you to take but it seems to carry too much risk? We hesitate because we don’t
know will happen if we step out of the boat. We are afraid, perhaps even more
afraid than Peter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">If Jesus is truly calling you to do this
thing, if he is the one who has put this idea in your heart, then it is only a
perceived risk, not a real risk. Step out of the boat! Obey his call! Jesus is
there, holding out his hand.</span> </div>
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Jim Badkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160762579147464272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746510436150979216.post-43672419307389353152017-06-02T13:55:00.002-07:002017-06-02T13:58:36.032-07:00Disciples Make Disciples<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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A backpack always feels a bit heavier on those
last few kilometres before reaching the parking lot at the end of the trail.
You trudge your way out of the bush into civilization—sweaty, dirty and beat.
Then you see all those newbies beside their cars, just getting ready to set
out. Their expensive gear is clean; their bags are packed to perfection. Suddenly
your weariness and body odour take on new meaning. Exhaustion is actually a
badge of honour, strenuously and bravely achieved. You try not to strut past
the newbies, but you have been there and back again. And seen a thing or two.</div>
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<span lang="EN-US">That is how a summer camp worker feels at
the end of their time at camp. Whether it is a week or a whole summer, on that
last day there is a deep satisfaction that something timeless and significant
was accomplished. Tired and entirely out of clean t-shirts? Yes. But so very
worth every late night, every homesick camper, every pot washed. A week at camp
is a glimpse of heaven, and no one knows it better than the one who came here
to serve and made it to the end.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Perhaps the thought has never come to your
mind – to serve for a week or more at a summer camp. Don’t you have to be a
particular kind of person to do that, maybe even a peculiar kind of person? In
my experience, the people who love camp and arrive year after year are simply
those who were brave enough to give it one shot—and got hooked. However, you are
right to think that serving at a Christian camp requires a certain kind of
person.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Let’s imagine that, instead of going to
camp, you decided to go work at a shoe factory for a week. What would that
take? It would be important to have an understanding of your end product. You
would need to know what a shoe is and the process for making one. So what is
the end product of a Christian camp? Jesus told us: As you go, make disciples
(Mat 28:19). At the Christian camp, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">disciples</i>
are what we do.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">In the original language the words “make
disciples” are actually one verb, so perhaps a closer translation might be, “Go
and disciplize all nations.” If that is too technical for you, try this:
Disciples produce disciples. This is no shoe factory; it is more like a sci-fi
flick where robots replicate themselves. Wherever there are disciples, you
should expect more to appear over time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">So if you want to “make disciples” at camp
as Jesus commanded us, you need to first be one yourself. The essence of
discipleship is to say to someone, “Follow my example, as I follow the example
of Christ” (1 Cor 11:1).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">This is the kind of person a Christian
summer camp needs. Are you someone who is willing to simply do life with a
bunch of kids, confident that as they follow you they will learn to follow
Jesus? Then we want you at our camp. Your identity as a disciple of Christ is
more important to camp leaders than your ability as a chef, your lifeguard
certification or any level of youthful energy.</span><br />
<br />
By the end of the week, something timeless
and significant will be achieved. Your weariness will be an eternal badge to
wear alongside your fellow camp saints. You will have seen God do a thing or
two in the lives of kids. You will re-enter the everyday world trying hard not
to strut. And I am pretty certain that we will see you back here again next
year.<br />
<br />
(Published in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Light Magazine,</i> April 2017)</div>
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Jim Badkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160762579147464272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746510436150979216.post-13446144091491903332017-05-12T12:04:00.000-07:002017-05-12T12:04:31.442-07:00Camp is God’s Idea<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I am always amazed at the level of loyalty
that people have to their camp. Everyone seems to think that their camp is the
best in the world, and is scandalized at the thought of attending another. As
one who has served at a number of camps over the years, I am pretty sure that
everyone is right about this—every camp is the best in the world. Here’s why:
Camp is God’s idea.</div>
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<span lang="EN-US">From the Garden of Eden in Genesis to
Heaven in Revelation, God shapes a concept that today we call “camp.” He calls
us from the familiarity of our homes into a unique environment where he meets
with us, provides for our needs and achieves some purpose of his that is best
accomplished there. Whether it was at the base of Mount Sinai or the mount
where Jesus preached his longest sermon, people had an experience with meaningful
and lasting effect. Today’s Christian camp is a hybrid of the revival tent
meetings of the 19<sup>th</sup> century and the outdoor schools of the early 20<sup>th</sup>,
and carries traditions such as chapel speakers and archery instruction. But at
its root, camp is still God’s idea.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">What makes a week of camp so significant in
the life of a child, teen, family or volunteer? Let’s take an ancient example,
the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve could have lived anywhere on planet earth (I
think Vancouver Island would have been a good choice!). But God placed them in
a garden, a place with every condition for their physical and spiritual health.
It didn’t go so well—they were the first ones ever sent home from camp—but in
the Garden they met with God daily, enjoyed the wonders of his creation and
provision, and joined him in his purposes for his new world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Today’s Christian camps offer that kind of
environment, one conducive to change, renewal, good attitudes, fun and release.
In a temporary community of love and acceptance, campers meet with God, enjoy
his creation and stretch their personal boundaries. For many campers, camp is a
positive crisis of self-identity before a loving and holy God, and they make
decisions that take them in a whole new direction. Ask any crowd of believers,
and a large percentage will say that their most life-changing moments took
place at camp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Through God’s idea that we call “camp,” he
removes us from our usual setting, relieves us from the usual pressures of
everyday life, isolates us from the distractions and temptations of the world,
provides optimum conditions for crisis and change, confronts us with our own
condition and our need for him, spends focused time with us, teaches us life-altering
lessons and finds response, accomplishes something extraordinary that otherwise
would not have occurred, sends us back into the world with new understanding
and perspective, and causes us to long for the permanent community of heaven.</span><br />
<br />
To parents who are considering the many
opportunities available to their kids this summer, a week at a Christian camp
should be top of the list. It is, after all, God’s idea.</div>
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<span lang="EN-US">(Published in <i>Light Magazine</i>, March 2017)</span></div>
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Jim Badkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160762579147464272noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746510436150979216.post-39301019862026277492016-05-31T09:37:00.001-07:002016-05-31T09:41:05.586-07:00Prepping the Camp Speaker<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Camp speakers are unique people in the
Christian camping world. They parachute into camp for a week and become the
focus of spiritual instruction and pastoral care. Speakers can rarely get
through a meal without deep spiritual conversations or impromptu counseling
sessions. They become the brunt of upfront shenanigans, stay in that “special
cottage” and often sigh when they receive their honorarium check (<a href="http://www.johnstackhouse.com/fair-payment-for-speakers/" target="_blank">or just a free T-shirt!</a>). Many people consider camp a holiday for a speaker,
since he or she only works for half an hour twice a day. But those people
probably think the same thing of their pastors. Camp speaker is a difficult and
taxing role.</div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Where did we get the idea of having a camp
speaker? This is a tradition that goes back to the revival tent meetings of the
19th century, when farmers and tradespeople would gather to listen to itinerant
preachers while camped out around the big top. Back in the early 20th century,
the church combined these events with the growing interest in outdoor
recreation schools to form what we know as Christian camping today. Most
Christian camps have a time in the day devoted to worship and the word of God,
communicated in an engaging and relevant way by a camp speaker. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Prepping the camp speaker is a delicate
issue. You want to respect the speaker’s calling, gifting, experience and
expertise. It may seem an insult to tell them how to do their job. But have you
considered how seldom outside of camp your speakers are called on to present
the Gospel to kids with an invitation to respond? Perhaps their only examples
of this task have been at camp. We could easily self-perpetuate methods that
are dated and ineffective.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Something shrivels up inside me when I am
sitting around the campfire with dozens of campers—many from no church
background—and the camp speaker begins to weave his magic. We have already
primed the pump with action songs followed by emotional worship. Our eyes are
on the fire, stars fill the sky, we are among fast-made friends. Where will the
camp speaker take us? I don’t know, and it makes me nervous. Too often they
have told stories about a camper who drowned the next day and lost his chance.
Or used incomprehensible catch-phrases like “asking Jesus into my heart” or
“receiving Jesus as Lord and Saviour” (try and find those in your Bible). I
wonder also what it really means when a camper raises her hand, with every head
bowed and every eye closed.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Have you ever fervently wished you had
talked this over with the camp speaker before that night? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">Here are some thoughts about how to do that
diligently and respectfully:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>1. Invest time when choosing camp speakers.
</b>You are right - speakers are sometimes hard to find. It may go along with what
I already said about how demanding and thankless this role can be. But when you
locate speakers whom you know are already on the same page as your ministry,
you have made the best step toward their success in your setting. Stick with
your tried and true speakers, because campers don’t mind hearing the same
stories for the two to three years before they move on. Don’t be afraid to
retire the tried and tired speaker, or the one who has consistently missed the
mark. Be careful with referrals - how will you know if they will suit your
ministry unless you hear them yourself? If you must delegate the job of finding
speakers, choose someone who clearly understands your expectations and the
tenor of your camp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>2. Write up a job description or list of
expectations for this role.</b> Sending something official to a speaker makes it
less like a personal insult. Many of you already have such a document in place,
and I read some of them online. I have to say that I found them to be quite
general, which makes me think we are a little afraid of camp speakers. Do your
speakers a favour - give them more to go by, and do it well in advance:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>What is your theme, and how do you expect
it to be incorporated? What is the focus?</li>
<li>What do you anticipate the speaker’s
typical day to look like? </li>
<li>What is expected outside of chapel
times? </li>
<li>What is okay/not okay? Secular music clips?
Use of phone/tablet for notes or as a Bible?</li>
<li>Where do your campers come from, socially
and spiritually? Percentage of church/non-church?</li>
<li>How deep do you want to go? Gospel only?
Discipleship?</li>
<li>What are the summer staff expecting of the
speaker?</li>
<li>How do you want the Gospel message to be
framed?</li>
<li>What are the best ways to allow campers to
respond to the Gospel presentation in your setting? </li>
<li>Are there expectations about memory verses,
or discussion guides for cabin leaders? </li>
<li>What is happening just before and after
they speak? </li>
<li>Do they have a copy of the week’s schedule
and special events? </li>
<li>Are there camp traditions they may not
know? </li>
<li>What is your camp’s theological
orientation?</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>3. Have a conversation. </b>Especially if this is
a speaker you never heard in action before, have a personal conversation by
phone or in person. Tell them about your camp. Have them tell you their story.
See if they have any recorded demo talks. Talk about your theme. Ask them to
share the Gospel message with you as they understand it, using the language
they would use with your campers. This is not a time to critique or correct,
but do take notes. It is appalling that we interview our cabin leaders but go
by recommendation for speakers. Do your homework. Make a decision.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>4. Ask for a plan.</b> You don’t need a transcript
or even an outline from your speaker. Many of them like to get to know the
campers and see how the week plays out before finalizing their talks. But if
they give you a plan of how they intend to approach the week, it means that
they have a plan, and now you know they have a plan. Much better than the
alternative.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>5. Plan for your speaker.</b> “It is great when
camps plan their schedule so that if God moves in sessions there is a space and
a way for kids to process or debrief what God is doing in their hearts” (Randy
Carter, <a href="http://straighttalkministries.com/" target="_blank">Straight Talk Ministries</a>). A dance party scheduled immediately
following the speaker’s Gospel presentation is perhaps an indication that we
don’t really expect God to show up in chapel.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>6. Let the speaker talk with your staff.</b> If
your cabin leaders and other staff know where your speaker is headed that day
with the sessions, it prepares them to have conversations with campers in that
same direction.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>7. Pray with the speaker, every time. </b>When it
comes down to it your speaker is an ordinary person like you, in need of grace.
I have often made a point of pulling the speaker aside for a moment during that
last song, asking God to do what only he can do. I can tell how much it is
appreciated, and often in the next twenty minutes I get to watch unfold the
very things I requested.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Camp speaker is a tough job, but often very
rewarding. Of all the many roles I have filled at camp, it might be the best.
You can help make it so this summer for your speakers, by preparing the stage
for God to do his work through them.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><i>(Published originally in the May 2016 Newsletter of the Fellowship of Christian Camps in BC)</i></span></div>
</div>
Jim Badkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160762579147464272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746510436150979216.post-71580090224068648262015-06-05T09:30:00.000-07:002015-06-05T15:04:20.546-07:00Thanks For Downloading Your Free eBook!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Quite a few people have taken the opportunity to download a free eBook copy of <i>The Christian Camp Leader</i> during the week that it has been up on <a href="http://books.noisetrade.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">NoiseTrade.com</a>.<br />
<br />
I hope you will also take the opportunity to <b>read</b> the book before you go to camp this summer! Even veteran camp people are in need of some pre-camp training that will get your mind and heart ready to join Jesus in his work at your camp.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuTXdB_zLhbdV6GGF-4hyphenhyphenGLjVMkOksxzO1gtpiNEklHyoawev9xbxDAHoF-_lEI0FXPVXKUbcgZzv6bTjanqcSfNDxRtvNShZn9Q4qyAJNAwj5TFhjrSQdDZoi7jw98bQhEBHuxFxpug/s1600/noisetrade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuTXdB_zLhbdV6GGF-4hyphenhyphenGLjVMkOksxzO1gtpiNEklHyoawev9xbxDAHoF-_lEI0FXPVXKUbcgZzv6bTjanqcSfNDxRtvNShZn9Q4qyAJNAwj5TFhjrSQdDZoi7jw98bQhEBHuxFxpug/s1600/noisetrade.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Check out this <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/wayne-meisel/camp-counselor-as-modern-day-superhero-summer-camps-that-change-the-world_b_7454382.html?ncid=fcbklnkushpmg00000051" target="_blank">great article</a>, a description of what it means to be a camp leader.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
May God bless your summer with clear evidence of his grace and gifting!</div>
</div>
Jim Badkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160762579147464272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746510436150979216.post-41746911934370120952015-04-16T11:18:00.000-07:002015-04-16T13:43:26.809-07:00Prepare Your Staff Before They Arrive This Summer<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLHj-TP610fLKCdvOjbCI0gyFNm32qBbDJ4pForhTXx_Ks2WMrhyphenhyphenBK40lynulygk66gLWC7av0r9dHEIc-54wsaAoxzjKaBlfSn_ev0dATHXayugq6F3iHZ_OzChopjxJ9umPGcqPYiI/s1600/blurb-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzLHj-TP610fLKCdvOjbCI0gyFNm32qBbDJ4pForhTXx_Ks2WMrhyphenhyphenBK40lynulygk66gLWC7av0r9dHEIc-54wsaAoxzjKaBlfSn_ev0dATHXayugq6F3iHZ_OzChopjxJ9umPGcqPYiI/s1600/blurb-1.jpg" /></a>You have a narrow window of time
to be involved in the discipleship of the young adults serving at your camp
this summer. For some, this opportunity will extend well after the time they are with you
at camp. But why not start even before your summer staff arrive?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>1. Find disciples.</b> The discipleship of your
staff is an essential part of your ministry, because it is disciples who
produce disciples. Jesus was selective in finding his disciples, and his
choices were surprising. He looked for spiritual hunger, for those who were aware
of their spiritual poverty. People did not follow him because they were
interested, but because he called them. Look for people who have a calling to
camp, not just an interest in camp. If they don't have a fire within them, you
will forever have to light a fire beneath them. Look for character over
experience and skill. It matters much more who they are than what they know or
what they can do! Remember that your campers will aspire to be like them. Will
you be happy if campers become like this potential staff person? Look for
people who are chasing after God’s own heart. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>2. Make the most of the interview.</b> Show potential
staff that you are ready to invest in them, even before the decision has been
made as to whether they will join you for the summer. During the interview,
help them reflect on their spiritual readiness for this role. Don't be afraid to challenge
them, find them help, get them involved in Bible study or ministry before the
summer. Interview everyone, including returning staff, just for the opportunity
it gives you to speak truth into their lives. If you have to do it long
distance, use Skype or Facetime so that it is more like a real conversation. Make
your camp's purpose very clear. Ask: Can you be committed to where we are
going?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>3. Communicate well.</b> When it was my job to find
and recruit summer staff for several years, I found that one of the most common reasons
staff chose our camp over others was that we were the first to get back to
them. But that is not a good enough reason to be prompt in replying. This is: Let
them know they matter to you! Make it your goal to respond to the emails and
phone calls of potential staff within 24 hours, even with those who probably will
not end up at your camp.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>4. Employ social networking.</b> You can’t
fight it, so you might as well make good use of it! Create a <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/create.php" target="_blank">Facebook group page</a></span><span lang="EN-US"> for
your potential summer staff. Not only will your posts on that page show up on
their newsfeed, but you will also give them the opportunity to start
communicating with one another before they arrive at camp. Do you find texting
annoying and impersonal? Get over it, because the young adults you are inviting
to serve with you expect this kind of accessibility that they have with their
friends. Does your camp have its own Facebook page? Here is a rule of thumb for
you: Do less, better. Don’t post stuff up there every day or they will simply
stop following your page. Instead, post once a week or less, and do it up big.
Always use a great original photo or video.
Avoid simply posting links to cool stuff on the web – they can find that
elsewhere.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>5. Clarify expectations.</b> “</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Imagine
that you went into a blind person’s house when he wasn’t there and moved around
all the furniture. What a mean thing to do! The poor guy would stumble over
everything, because it wasn’t where he expected it” (CCL, p. 27). You don’t
want your summer staff to walk in blind. Clarify what you expect of them!
Before they arrive, send them a job description and your staff manual. Also, ask potential staff what they expect of you as
their leader.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US"><b>6. Provide information.</b> Ask your former
staff about the things they wished they had known before they arrived at your camp. Give your accepted summer team a thorough list of what to bring, especially things that are specific to
your camp or their role (e.g., close-toed shoes for washing dishes, or a
wetsuit for your freezing-cold lake). </span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">Include your camp’s history, in
the form of </span><span lang="EN-US">creatively-told stories from the past. Send
them their staff shirt ahead of the summer, so that people who see it can ask them about their
upcoming opportunity. Make resources available to them: books to read,
community courses to take, people to talk to, financial sources and high school
or college credit to check out.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 12.0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; mso-pagination: none; text-autospace: none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhf4NmuyPC5vXBB3NBY93JDkUxvsaKjErMQNWh5jKRYVHLTAmErL9gjgCVjzWc3R9as8UPW3u8cuN92RLEWuMq6AZd0k-R6-SdxAocHIQzNgKeXjCVzWSabf9Mj0h-hmfEkIxoSHEL-WY/s1600/blurb-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhf4NmuyPC5vXBB3NBY93JDkUxvsaKjErMQNWh5jKRYVHLTAmErL9gjgCVjzWc3R9as8UPW3u8cuN92RLEWuMq6AZd0k-R6-SdxAocHIQzNgKeXjCVzWSabf9Mj0h-hmfEkIxoSHEL-WY/s1600/blurb-2.jpg" /></a><span lang="EN-US"><b>7. Offer training.</b> Here is a
shameless plug for my book, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Christian
Camp Leader</i>. Check out the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Christian-Camp-Leader-Badke-ebook/product-reviews/B00AUMCH22/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1" target="_blank">reviews on Amazon</a>, where camp leaders describe how they are using this resource. Send your staff a
physical copy (<a href="mailto:jimbadke@gmail.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">email me for discount bulk orders</a>), or gift them the synced <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=amb_link_421116202_2?ie=UTF8&docId=1000827761&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-2&pf_rd_r=0T7G1J55DN9W122T8YAZ&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1999192782&pf_rd_i=5744819011" target="_blank">eBook and audiobook versions</a>.
If you can, invite staff to weekend workshops. Or create online sessions for
them to review, like <a href="http://imadene.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">this one</a> from <a href="http://www.imadene.com/" target="_blank">Camp Imadene</a>. Make sure you include
spiritual fitness training</span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast;">. </span><span lang="EN-US">Offer encouragement and challenge them
spiritually. Give them homework, like writing up several outlines for cabin
devotionals, or writing out their testimony.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>8. Pray for them.</b> Maybe you have read this
far and thought to yourself, I don’t have time for any of this! No worries.
Just make sure you do this last one – pray daily for your summer staff before
they arrive for the summer. You have opportunity in Jesus’ name to speak into
being the very things you want for them - and from them - this summer. Plus, you
will find that your relationship with each staff member will gain a huge head
start if you have already been thinking about and praying for them weeks ahead
of time.</div>
</div>
Jim Badkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160762579147464272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746510436150979216.post-81883611029229995342015-01-29T10:00:00.000-08:002015-02-12T20:32:12.730-08:00Kindle Edition + Audiobook<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Your summer staff may be active young adults with little time or inclination for books. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Christian-Camp-Leader/dp/B00KH59ZTU" target="_blank">Amazon</a> has a great deal or people on the go: Buy the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christian-Camp-Leader-Jim-Badke-ebook/dp/B00AUMCH22" target="_blank">Kindle</a> edition of <i>The Christian Camp Leader </i>for $2.99, and the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Christian-Camp-Leader/dp/B00KH59ZTU" target="_blank">Audiobook</a> edition is just $1.99 more! Both can played on any device - smartphone, tablet or computer - with the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/digital/fiona/kcp-landing-page?ie=UTF8&ref_=klp_f_win" target="_blank">Kindle</a> and <a href="https://www.audible.com/mt/Apps" target="_blank">Audible</a> apps.<br />
<br />
As well, the book is set up for <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=amb_link_421116202_2?ie=UTF8&docId=1000827761&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=merchandised-search-2&pf_rd_r=0T7G1J55DN9W122T8YAZ&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1999192782&pf_rd_i=5744819011" target="_blank">Whispersync</a>, which allows them to switch between reading and listening without losing their place. You can also "gift" both to your staff - a very good $4.98 investment!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFOOPPIaonTNSaSuyp8AB7uH7Rgp2JmzS_dtbcU-o98RdFWnEgIPm0eq1fizKAXP0olN7R0nT13adxRWTxWHx4HBWf_pD0GJRWSG8NY4NlgUZKe3FMxZ7aAsXYQBllVXwaT-sdkwHpOw/s1600/Howitworks470x200_v4._V345678518_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVFOOPPIaonTNSaSuyp8AB7uH7Rgp2JmzS_dtbcU-o98RdFWnEgIPm0eq1fizKAXP0olN7R0nT13adxRWTxWHx4HBWf_pD0GJRWSG8NY4NlgUZKe3FMxZ7aAsXYQBllVXwaT-sdkwHpOw/s1600/Howitworks470x200_v4._V345678518_.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Jim Badkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160762579147464272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746510436150979216.post-20134330348021564402014-12-02T10:55:00.001-08:002014-12-02T10:59:34.154-08:00We Are Thinking Summer!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic77OEAIIn_kuzC3hrByfY0nscsHzoA_zlRVY22pTny7J6UInLODEuwdjgZsBnWFjDUdmZeHkblrQPYwjgFyik824HojLGmmPqT5tcNmYzpewcg0LFK9mvAUicpSDqzBko0HNHiXlkFf8/s1600/tccl_jim_badke_front_kobo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic77OEAIIn_kuzC3hrByfY0nscsHzoA_zlRVY22pTny7J6UInLODEuwdjgZsBnWFjDUdmZeHkblrQPYwjgFyik824HojLGmmPqT5tcNmYzpewcg0LFK9mvAUicpSDqzBko0HNHiXlkFf8/s1600/tccl_jim_badke_front_kobo.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
As camp leaders gather for conferences this week and in the months to come across North America, we are all thinking summer! So are many of the people who will be your cabin leaders, cooks, program staff and maintenance people this summer.<br />
<br />
The Christian Camp Leader is a resource that can help your staff prepare before their arrival on site:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Help them think about their reasons for serving this summer.</li>
<li>Consider the spiritual conditioning they will need in preparation for ministry. </li>
<li>Focus on the main purpose of your ministry: making disciples!</li>
</ul>
<div>
If you have not yet seen this book, see the options above to get your hands (real or virtual) on it today. Or if you require multiple copies, email me for the best price.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We have kept the price to the bare minimum needed to produce and distribute this book, and all proceeds are poured back into camp ministry. God bless as you think summer!</div>
</div>
Jim Badkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160762579147464272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746510436150979216.post-23293855096515731372014-05-22T16:02:00.000-07:002014-06-03T11:33:29.180-07:00Audiobook Version Now Available!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNz23Ndc9gIt8HYEhhV0_MlD6nvvnN-jkhl5VXBSJcFfBBYZeSbrJcYqHfQ_bHxtDzLSyABqLfBgTfmC3wOOoOLFWGV9NLJi4PbJd2A5J1VIVpaoBfJFoH1iOqpoPIz_8Es3lOlOO97M/s1600/61A0nzPxbAL._SL500_AA300_PIaudible,BottomRight,13,73_AA300_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNz23Ndc9gIt8HYEhhV0_MlD6nvvnN-jkhl5VXBSJcFfBBYZeSbrJcYqHfQ_bHxtDzLSyABqLfBgTfmC3wOOoOLFWGV9NLJi4PbJd2A5J1VIVpaoBfJFoH1iOqpoPIz_8Es3lOlOO97M/s1600/61A0nzPxbAL._SL500_AA300_PIaudible,BottomRight,13,73_AA300_.jpg" /></a></div>
The audiobook version of <i>The Christian Camp Leader</i> is now available! It is listed along with the other versions of the book at <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Christian-Camp-Leader/dp/B00KH59ZTU" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Amazon.com</a>. The cost is a little more ($13), but right now it is free with a 30-day free trial subscription at Audible.com (which you can cancel any time). It has a professional narrator who is easy to listen to, and it is just over three and a half hours in length, or about 20 minutes a chapter.<br />
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This means your summer staff can listen to the book in the car or mowing the lawn! Or, you can include a chapter in your summer training programs. The audiobook will be especially helpful to those who find reading difficult or who just don't read often.<br />
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A huge thanks to our friend Amanda Rubert who took on this project, and our talented narrator, Stacey Glemboski.<br />
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Jim Badkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160762579147464272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746510436150979216.post-55012146144596289512014-05-20T17:25:00.000-07:002014-06-02T11:22:11.774-07:00An Example: Help Your Staff Respond Online<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I recently updated a web project for <a href="http://imadene.com/" target="_blank">Camp Imadene</a>, a simple blog-based site that is designed to help their weekly volunteer staff interact with <i>The Christian Camp Leader</i> as they read it before the summer. They kindly allowed me to post the site here as an example of what your camp could do along the same lines. <a href="http://imadene.blogspot.ca/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Click here</a> to see it.<br />
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Jim Badkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160762579147464272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746510436150979216.post-42683841087670856572014-04-14T21:51:00.004-07:002014-04-14T21:51:51.680-07:00Summer Must Be Approaching!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
As I see the sales of <i>The Christian Camp Leader</i> pick up in the last few days, it makes me realize that summer is not far off! Just a reminder that if you wish to purchase a number of paperbacks for your staff, I may be able to get you a better deal than the online outlets. Just <a href="mailto:jimbadke@gmail.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">email me</a> with your request and I will send you a quote.<br />
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Our goal is to make the book available at the lowest price possible, and even the profits go back into making the book available to those who can't afford it or into other camp-related projects.</div>
Jim Badkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160762579147464272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746510436150979216.post-43921156922065239332014-03-08T11:49:00.000-08:002014-03-08T11:49:07.796-08:00How This Book Can Help Train Your Summer Staff<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b>1. Make a small investment in your staff with big returns. </b>You expect big things from your summer staff - a sacrifice of time and energy, the capacity to connect with and love kids, a solid understanding of their faith and the ability to communicate it effectively - so spend a small amount of money to provide them with the tools for the job. We have made this resource as inexpensive and accessible as possible.<br />
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<b>2. Tell them why you want them to read this book.</b> Friends, parents and teachers all hand them books to read because they found them interesting or helpful. Read the book yourself so that you can recommend it to them with purpose and enthusiasm!<br />
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<b>3. Make the book available at the right time.</b> Most college programs end in April, high school in June. So the month of May is a great time to make <i>The Christian Camp Leader</i> available to your summer staff.<br />
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<b>4. Show them how accessible this book is.</b> You can hand it to them as a <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Christian-Camp-Leader-Badke/dp/0991684621" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">paperback</a>, or <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Christian-Camp-Leader-Jim-Badke-ebook/dp/B00AUMCH22" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">gift the book</a> to them by email as an eBook that they can read on any phone, tablet or laptop. <b> </b><br />
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<b>Coming soon: </b>We are working on the audiobook version, which they can listen to in the car or on their iPod.<br />
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<b>5. Give them opportunity to process and respond to what they are reading.</b> There are many ways to ask your staff the questions that will help them internalize what they have read. <a href="http://imadene.blogspot.ca/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Click here</a> to check one idea out used by Camp Imadene.<br />
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Please <a href="mailto:jimbadke@gmail.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">let us know</a> if we can help with ideas or any obstacles you encounter!</div>
Jim Badkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160762579147464272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746510436150979216.post-81981137901150098922014-02-11T10:48:00.000-08:002014-02-11T10:50:32.038-08:00About Ordering Multiple Copies<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I am able to order any number of copies directly from my supplier and have them sent directly to you, which enables me to offer as low a price as possible. Please <a href="mailto:jimbadke@gmail.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">email me</a> for information and a quote. Because the supplier is in the US, our American friends can get a great price.<br />
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With the dropping of the Canadian dollar, Canadian camps will unfortunately pay more, but still less than the current list price of $8.80, and I can usually include free shipping. If you have a US address where you can pick up the books, that will bring the price down.<br />
<br />
To keep the price as low as possible I use standard shipping, which can take about two weeks, and I send you the tracking information. A few of the states will charge tax upon arrival, and Canadians are usually charged GST plus a handling fee of $10 per box upon arrival.<br />
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We are committed to getting this book to camps at the lowest price we can, and even the small amount of profit goes back into either promoting the book or helping camps in financial need.<br />
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We trust that God will bless your summer staff through the teaching and challenge of this book. May he draw many excellent godly leaders to your ministry!</div>
Jim Badkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160762579147464272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746510436150979216.post-38291066706614852582014-02-02T20:09:00.001-08:002014-02-02T20:09:55.277-08:00BC Camping Conference<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I will be at the <a href="http://christiancamps.ca/annual-conference/" target="_blank">British Columbia Camping Conference</a> this week at <a href="http://rockridgecanyon.com/" target="_blank">RockRidge Canyon</a> and hope to reconnect with many BC camp friends. I will have a number of books with me at a great price, especially considering our dwindling Canadian dollar!<br />
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Come find me at the Trade Show on Wednesday at 12:30 PM. See you there!</div>
Jim Badkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160762579147464272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746510436150979216.post-30955186923709808442013-12-09T11:23:00.000-08:002013-12-09T11:28:57.282-08:00CCCA 2013 National Conference<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Welcome to those who received a copy of <i>The Christian Camp Leader</i> on your seat at the Christian Camp and Conference Association annual conference!<br />
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We hope that between sessions and networking this week, you will take the opportunity to leaf through this book and imagine how it might be used to prepare your staff for a summer of ministry.<br />
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We are glad to help you! Please <a href="mailto:jimbadke@gmail.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">contact me</a> to discuss:<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>Ways of using <i>The Christian Camp Leader</i> in your ministry.</li>
<li>How to order multiple copies of the paperback edition at a discount, including shipping.</li>
<li>How to "gift" the $2.99 eBook version to your staff.</li>
<li>Any other questions or comments you may have.</li>
</ul>
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All profits from this book are poured back into Christian camping!<br />
<ul style="text-align: left;">
<li>We are committed to make this resource as affordable as possible to camps.</li>
<li>In some cases we will provide books to ministries that cannot afford them. </li>
<li>We are looking for organizations to take on the project of translating and distributing this book, royalty-free.</li>
<li>We are open to specific projects to get kids to camp and train the staff who will lead them.</li>
</ul>
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May God fill your time together at the conference with mutual encouragement, innovative ideas and new connections!</div>
Jim Badkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160762579147464272noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8746510436150979216.post-18924500131119994722013-12-02T14:18:00.000-08:002013-12-02T14:18:34.695-08:00Welcome, CCI Canada Camp Leadership Institute Participants!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
If you are attending the CCI Canada Camp Leadership Institute this week, you will receive a complimentary copy of <i>The Christian Camp Leader</i>.<br />
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As you review this resource, I would be glad to hear from you! Perhaps you would like to order a number of copies for your summer staff in the new year, and I can discuss with you discount prices that include shipping. You might have questions about how to "gift" the eBook version to your summer staff. Or, we could discuss ways of helping your staff interact with the book online or as part of a summer training program. I am glad to help!<br />
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All proceeds from this book are poured back into Christian camping. It may be to provide books to camps that can't afford them, or to fund translation efforts. We hope to also make funds available to specific camper scholarships and camp projects.<br />
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May your time together as camp leaders be the encouragement and motivation you need as you anticipate diving into a whole new season of camping!</div>
Jim Badkehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17160762579147464272noreply@blogger.com0