King's Kamp 2007

We returned from King's Kamp today.  What a blast.  Michelle and I taught a class of 45 7th-graders.  We had a good-sized group of kids from Pepperdine, Conejo, University CoC and several other local SoCal churches.  It was so fun.  A few observations about King's Kamp...

• King's Kamp gives me hope for the future of the Church.  We had a group of wonderfully bright, good-hearted kids who were full of energy and joy in their passion for God. 
• King's Kamp is an encouraging movement forward for Churches of Christ.  The camp was focused on Christ-not dogma, was ecumenical for campers, staff & counselors, well-blended with a cappella and instrumental worship, more gender-inclusive than we have historically been, and fun for people from all backgrounds.
• King's Kamp is an amazing bit of coordination among volunteers from multiple Christian traditions, local churches, and dozens of volunteers.  It amazes me that so many volunteers can come together with so little formal structure to accomplish something so amazing.  I don't think my slideshow includes any photos of the amazing sets created for King's Kamp, but it was one of the most impressive volunteer productions I have ever seen.
• The community of volunteers at King's Kamp was most impressive.  Many of the men and women who run this camp have volunteered for more than ten years of their lives to selflessly serve each summer for a week of hard labor, not to mention months of planning and coordination to produce an amazing experience for hundreds of kids they barely know.  Their service made a powerful impression on Michelle and me.

All together, we had a terrific time but are completely exhausted.  We returned home this afternoon physically exhausted but spiritually rejuvenated.