ink & thimble: "Psychological Warfare"

ink & thimble: "Psychological Warfare": A suit of armour used to be an obvious thing: a full-body shield of metal, used by knights in the face of battle. The wars of the past fe...

Out Trip Memories

Hi Everyone,

It’s Citavo (Camp Widji’s Salt Director)…Right now I’m sitting in the longhouse planning some exciting things for our SALT program this summer. Just a recap for those who don’t know-SALT or Skills and Leadership Training is a three week program for 14 to 17 year olds who come to camp and have the time of their lives! 

For the past three summers, I’ve seen teenagers mature in their faith, make lifelong friends and become effective leaders through SALT. 

So anyways, Moose (our Camp Director) and Rings (who is in charge of registration) are in the office, working hard. Banks (our Program Director) is making a fire because it is a little bit chilly in the longhouse. Now he’s trying to make a schedule for camp and is getting frustrated with excel because, clearly, he is not very good with technology. And Bandit (our Maintenance Head) is outside blowing leaves off the Widji road. As I sit by the fire, this brings back memories of the SALT Out Trip. This is our four-day three-night canoe trip around the Haliburton Highlands. Some of my best memories of the out-trip include sitting around the campfire with campers and staff. Often funny stories and serious stories are shared around the campfire. It’s around the campfire on the out trip that we change from a group of random strangers into a family. As we listen to each others’ stories, it’s easy to stare into the campfire and be mesmerized by the crackles and flames. Sometimes we are silly around the campfire too as we sing songs and roast marshmallows. 

Well, the fire in the longhouse is dying down now and it’s almost time for lunch. But, I just want to let you know that everyone here at camp is getting really excited for the summer ahead. I specifically am getting very excited for SALT to begin! If you know anyone who is 14 to 17 or if you are 14 to 17 you should consider signing up for the SALT program. Trust me, it will be a decision you will not regret!!! If you have any questions about the SALT program feel free to contact myself or our director, Moose at 1-800-551-0168.

I See a Generation Rising

I have taken this title from a line in the popular song by Brook Fraser called, “Hosanna”. It has been my privilege over these last many years to work with amazing young Christian teens and adults who are living their lives for Christ. Every summer they come to camp as dish washers, service staff, cabin leaders, SALT staff, leadership staff and volunteers. They live out in front of the campers and each other what it is to be a Christ follower. Everyone expects me to tell them about living for Jesus and that has some impact, but the real example comes from leaders who are a few years ahead of them in life. We see an amazing impact of these younger every summer on the lives of campers and SALTers. They make a faith decision or get quite serious about their faith, no longer living their parents faith. It is a great sight to see indeed. 

I was recently reminded that most great movements began with students. They’re not waiting for others to lead. They’re taking a step out and follow God by being ALL IN!!! They’re listening to Biblical preaching, worshiping passionately, praying relentlessly, caring practically, and reaching out to the world around them intentionally. Indeed they have taught me about worship as well.

Hosanna

I see the king of glory
Coming down the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes, the whole earth shakes
I see his love and mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing, the people sing

Chorus
Hosanna, hosanna
Hosanna in the highest

Verse 2
I see a generation
Rising up to take the place
With selfless faith, with selfless faith
I see a new revival
Staring as we pray and seek
We’re on our knees, we’re on our knees

Bridge
Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me
Break my heart for what is yours
Everything I am for your kingdom’s cause
As I walk from earth into eternity

 

This is what God IS calling ALL of us to do!

Mealtime Songs

It’s part of our schedule at Camp Widjiitiwin to sing a song and pray before every meal. We have lots of songs to choose from and sing them loud and proud as part of a camp-life tradition. Here are some of the songs we sing:

• Walking with the Lord
• Fresh Prince
• Pizza Hut
• Superman grace
• Praise Ye the Lord
• Fill up my cup
• I wish I were an Oscar Mayer Weiner
• Infantry song
• Johnny Apple Seed
• Soft Kitty Warm Kitty
• Jesus Loves the Little Children
• This is the day
• We will rock you
• Baby Shark
• Father Abraham
• Deep and Wide
• Swimming swimming, in my swimming pool
• Brown Cow
• Jaws Song
• Jesus was a cool dude
• Spiderman grace
• Rub-a-dub
• Sponge bob
• ABC grace
• Flinestones grace
• Batman Grace
• John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt

I love seeing the entire camp standing on their benches, singing at the top of their lungs. It’s really neat to hear the difference from the beginning of the week when campers are uncomfortable or unsure of the song lyrics to the end of the week when they stand up and belt the lyrics out (even if they still don’t fully know them). Meal time songs are such a small portion of a campers week at Widji but to see the joy and smiles on their face as they sing them is one of the MANY reasons why I love camp!

Submitted by Synchro

Props, Costumes and Stuff for 2013

If you have any of these items and are willing to donate them or loan them to Camp Widjiitiwin, we would greatly appreciate it and these items will help enhance our summer program themes. Items can be dropped off at MBC/Camp Widjiitiwin. We may be able to pick up some items. Contact Mike Greenfield at 1-800-551-0168 or email mike@mycamp.ca if you have items to donate or loan.

Lego:

• Lego or Duplo sets, even miscellaneous pieces
• Egg cartons (6’s, 12’s or 18’s) to paint into Lego bricks

Australia:

• Boomerangs, Australian hats,
• didgeridoos, rain stick,
• Stuffed Koalas, kangaroos, etc.

Western:

• Cowboy hats and cowboy boots
• Leather vests, belts & buckles,
• bull whips, spurs,
• Sheriff badges, bandanas
• Two old saddles
• Old wagon wheels, old milk cans
• Toy pistols or old west style rifles

1990’s:

• Tomagotchi, Nanos or Gigapets
• Inline skates, beanie babies
• Videos of Saved by the Bell, Recess, Arthur, Magic School Bus, Carmen Sandiego, Bill Nye or Full House
• Pogs, 90′s Disney movies
• Game boys, mood rings

General:

• Tall dressers for cabins
• A small box trailer
• Fans & mirrors for cabins
• Life jackets in good condition
• Canoes & paddles
• Dress up clothes and costumes
• Generators,12Kw and 7000 watts
• pool noodles
• picnic tables (new or good condition)
• plants/shrubs for landscaping

Political Attack Ad Screw Up

This week the Federal Conservative government of Canada put out an attack ad against Justin Trudeau as the new leader of the Liberal party of Canada. While I have never been a Liberal and don’t plan to become a Liberal, someone in the PMO screwed this one up; suggesting that the experience of being a camp counsellor is something at which to be scoffed. It’s NOT! You can see the media here if you haven’t already seen it on your TV. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sGWuN3ZVuxU

I don’t know what camp Justin attended, but it’s pretty clear that the Conservatives have no idea the level of responsibility that a camp counsellor (or cabin leader) takes on. For the week that a camper is at camp, the camp counsellor becomes the parent, mentor, leader, guide, motivator, confidant, friend, supervisor, advisor, teacher, supporter, organizer, chief, trail blazer, spiritual role model and big brother/sister. AND, it’s a 24 hour a day job with huge responsibility for the campers in their care. At many camps the camp counsellors are also the activity leaders. These brave people take on leading 6-8 campers in the cabin and teaching 10-15 each activity period. For so many it’s a way to give back for all the role models they had growing up at camp.

I tweeted the following out to our Prime Minster, Stephen Harper and my local MP, Tony Clement: “@pmharper @TonyclementCPC why would you malign Justin being a camp counsellor? That's an honourable job to have done!” No response yet.

Fifty

Fifty, the BIG 5-O. I made it! It’s been a great birthday. As far as the big milestones, I guess this is one of those, but I don’t really feel like I’ve crossed some great divide. Thursday was dinner with my beautiful wife for wings at Kelsey’s. Friday was dinner at East Side Mario’s followed by coffee at Tim’s with friends that don’t get together often enough. Many laughs were had by all.

Saturday was lunch in Barrie at William’s Coffee Pub with my family followed by an hour at the Goodwill store. Then it was on to Medieval Times in Toronto for a feast and a show. We got our picture taken with the princess, met up with some camp staff, planned how we could use their ideas for a themed week at camp, I was knighted so that will be Sir Mike or Sir Moose if you prefer. You just can’t go wrong with dinner that you’re supposed to eat with your hands, horses, a tournament, knights, sword fights and jousting. Our champion didn’t win, but the evil interloper was defeated and the princess saved.

I have a treasure box in front of me filled with letters from friends (staff, family, co-workers & old friends). Carolyn collected these and put them together with some pictures in a treasure box. It is truly a treasure to me. As I have read the letters from people I have had to stop many times as my tears and the lump in my throat have made it impossible to continue. Some of you are just discovering that I have emotions. I appreciated the funny ones as they gave me some reprieve. One of my favourite sayings is that you can count the seeds in an apple, but not the number of apples in a seed. I have told this to decades of staff explaining that they will never know the full impact of their actions/ministry on others. I have been given a glimpse into the seeds that are now spreading seeds of their own. I have read all the notes and feel very blessed. Thank you all.

Today I’m relaxing after church, reading through my treasure box and reflecting. Time for a nap! I hear its part of the 50+ club daily routine. It’s been a great birthday.