Jackson has been going to church camp with his cousin Ethan for 4 summers now.
They started with a mini-camp between 2nd and 3rd grade. The boys had a great experience. I did not! The nurse and I had a difference of opinions about what medicines Jackson should or should not take and when he should or should not take them. She evidently felt that she was more qualified to be his caregiver than his doctor, his respiratory therapist and me combined. We decided to not let it ruin his camping experience (or mine) and thought the next year we would send him to a different camp.
The boys went to a full week camp between 3rd and 4th grade at a new camp and had a fabulous experience. They loved it and couldn't wait to return the following year.
They went to the same camp between 4th and 5th grade and had a lot of the same staff there which was a lot of fun for the boys to see people they knew from the previous year.
They went to the same camp this past summer between 5th and 6th grade. (Did I just write that? Hard to believe they are now 6th graders.) They had a fantastic time. In fact I think it was the best week they have had together at camp. They are already making plans for next summer and trying to decide if they should go one more year to the elementary week or move to the junior high week.
We usually meet Ethan and his family (in the picture...Grandma (Jeff's mom), Jeff, Jill (Jeff's sister), Erika, Olivia, Ainsley, Jackson and Ethan) there on Sunday afternoon and get the boys checked in, beds made in their cabins and watch their swimming tests. In the 4 years of doing this it has never ever rained on us. This year made up for it and POURED just as we got to a covered area while waiting in the registration line. It could have been a much bigger deal than it was. Their luggage got soaked but since we pack everything in gallon ziplock baggies it was no big deal!
On Wednesday of this same week Ainsley and her friend Abby went to a mini camp at the same camp where the boys were. 
We took a walk around the campground first and then began our wait in the registration line. Which for the record was much much smaller than the boys. Evidently there weren't quite as many mini-campers as full weekers.
We thought the girls would be nervous so my friend Jill (Abby's mom) and I were just hanging out in their cabin (the Palace) and helping them get unpacked. Pretty soon they were hinting that it was time for us to leave.
On Saturday we went back to pick everyone up. The girls had a fabulous time and didn't want it to end. They were already planning on going to a full week next summer.
On the way home Ainsley very matter of factly told us that she asked Jesus to forgive her sins and save her the previous night at fire bowl. She said she thought she had done it before but knew that she hadn't and wanted to take care of it. So she did! We were so excited for her because she had made this decision on her own and not through any pressure from us. We want our kids to know and love Jesus but can't do it for them and when they make that decision on their own it brings us joy.
Olivia had done her own little grammy camp while the other two were gone. She spent a night with my parents and a night with Jeff's parents. Then they met us at camp when we were picking the other two up. Olivia struggled with this experience a little bit. She had never been away by herself and might have been a little too young to do it. Selfishly it was nice for me and Jeff- we golfed and ate out and actually talked while they were gone. I hope we didn't scar her from ever wanting to do it again.
Our tired campers! It was a great week for the kids and one that we hope they can repeat again and again!!
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