Jr. High Winter Blast is our only Camas-run winter camp for youth. With about four feet of snow on the ground and gorgeous weather this year, the second weekend in March was the perfect time for winter wonderland fun.

Whether preparing to dive into a fluffy snowbank,

recovering from the brisk mountain cold,

or trying to learn forty-four different names through a crazy circle game,

there were many adventures to be had during this action-packed weekend.

A high-octane street hockey tournament on Saturday morning definitely used up a lot of the campers and counselors energy.

Did the boys win? Did the girls win? Or was the victor none other than Princess Leia Freyja, the camp dog?

Princess Leia Freyja certainly gained the title of “most enthusiastic un-sanctioned hockey player” even though the boys in Eagle’s Loft took home the victory.

We enjoyed the thrilling terror of the great Camas Meadows Tubing Hill!

Where a few reasonable individuals went down one tuber at a time.

Trains of tubers are outlawed, due to the realization years ago that this leads to broken collarbones, but campers are welcome to see just how many kids can be smooshed onto a single tube.

This experiment is highly entertaining for both participants and spectators.

And actually appears safer than plain old normal tubing since they never get very far.

Not far enough to build up too much speed, but certainly far enough to get a nice face-full of snow for pictures!

They jump out of the snow chilly, but smiling.

A little snow in the face and hair and maybe up one’s nose didn’t slow them down. But despite the discomfort and adventure, or maybe because of it, the tube hill brought people together and solidified friendships.

But the excitement wasn’t exclusive to outdoor adventures.

We also enjoyed some rousing games of “Share Ball” and of course Grog.

Yeah, there isn’t a whole lot of sharing in “Share Ball!”

We also enjoyed an epic game of amoeba!

All those rowdy and wonderful moments were threaded between times of quiet worship and tapping the depths of our relationship with Jesus Christ, the one who lends us direction, purpose, identity, and the love and care we so desperately need.

Faramir, our camp speaker, showed his incredible ability to cut straight to the heart of what Jr. High kids are truly concerned about. He spoke to the quiet, desperate needs of young hearts and the One who came to make those young souls truly soar!

Yes, each cabin got a bunch of candy to nibble during our cabin discussion times. But the real prize was seeing several young people choose to belong to Jesus during the weekend.

It was an amazing weekend! One that I was delighted to be a part of as a camp counselor for the first time in about eight years! Thank you for your prayers and support during this special, Camas run camp. After looking through all the photos from this year, I’m getting excited for the next one! You should consider attending staff training and then joining us. This winter camp was truly a delight! Especially for Princess Leia Freyja who got to join our cabin as the official Bear’s mascot!

Boo Boo