Oh Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree...

To be blunt, I do not like Christmas.  That sounds awful, so let me explain.

I do not like the gross over commercialization that has taken over this time of year.  I do not like being asked if I am in the "Christmas Spirit" (whatever that is) as if it is something that should only exist a few days out of the year.  I do not like shoppers brawling over the possibility of saving a few dollars on a toaster and fighting over parking places.  I do not like that many women feel like they can wear the most hideous sweater, scarf or vest this time of year.  I do not like that so many spend so much money on decorations at this time of the year.  I do not like having a tree in my house.  I do not like children's Christmas pageants.  I do not like people getting so worked up when someone says, "Happy Holidays" instead of "Merry Christmas."  

Here is what I like about Christmas:  over 300 prophesies were realized with the birth and subsequent life of one little baby.  The lowest of the low in the form of shepherds were some of the first to be made aware of the birth of Jesus.  Educated men traveled a great distance to bring this child gifts of great value.  I like the way Joseph stood by Mary and went against normal customs when she was suddenly with child.  I really like Titus 3:3-7 which is the whole Gospel message in 5 short verses.  

What I like about Christmas is a little baby came and the world was changed forever.  That baby grew, died and rose again.  Without Christmas we do not have the rest of the story.  This baby we celebrate this time of year has changed me.  He can change your life too.  

Camp is for the Camper.....

Camp is for the camper......

This morning we picked up our daughter from Crestridge Camp for Girls, and then our son from Ridgecrest Camp for Boys.  Thus culminated two weeks of camp for both kids simultaneously.  I am a firm believer in sending kids to camp for a variety of reasons.

When kids go to camp, often they get to experience different roles than at home, school, church, etc.  At camp you are not a middle child or first born or the quiet kid-unless you want to be.  When a camper walks into a cabin he or she enters a whole new world and has the opportunity to excel, lead and express ideas that are often left unsaid because of traditional roles.

For many campers, the only time they are not completely under the supervision of a parent or other relative is when they visit a "sleep away camp."  Imagine the joy a child experiences when he/she finally gets to make a decision without a parent dictating every action.  While most camps have responsible adults present in the form of staff, if a camper decides to wear mismatched clothes, the same shirt every day or go without socks that opportunity arises.  Campers are not required to brush their hair, often get to stay up way after bed time and sometimes they get to run with sticks or throw rocks!  No helicopter parent is going to oversee or determine each and every thing that child does or says. 

Camp is a place for new experiences.  Outdoor themed camps often give opportunities to try things like rafting, horse back riding, rock climbing, zip lines and other fun and exciting adventure activities.  There are chances to go skating at mid night, see a shooting star, play in the rain, experience a camp fire and make new friends.  Many friendships and romantic relationships started in a camp environment and have stood the test of time! 

For my son, each year he attends a gender specific camp, he gets the opportunity to simply be a boy.  Nobody cares too much if they skip stones on a lake, "accidentally" tip over a canoe, skip a night brushing teeth (or 2 or 3 or.....) or makes interesting and amazing noises with his arm pit.  (Not saying he did that, however..)  He has the chance to hang out with some amazing staff that pour out their lives into these developing young men.  For just a little while he gets to absolutely focus on fun, and anything he wants.  We are not there to tell him "No."  He does not have to eat his green beans.  He can decide.

When my daughter attends a girls only camp, she is free from all the gender drama stuff that happens at school and other places.  Self image and esteem can simply flow by being around other young ladies who can simply live live without the stress and strain of trying to impress others.  Certainly there is competitiveness at a girls camp, yet it is not over guys!  She gets the joy and privilege of letting herself concentrate on whatever the theme is, what her cabin is doing and whichever activities she has chosen to focus on that year.  She chooses her friends, eats what she wants and has a great time.  What a life!

While I was at the closing ceremonies of their respective camps, a simple thought occurred to me.   I recognized that again both kids have had a fantastic experience.  This is what happens you you hire the BEST staff you can find, when you PUSH and GUIDE them towards EXCELLENCE, and you simply do not settle for anything LESS.  Because I know the full-time, year round staff at Crestridge and Ridgecrest camps I know their heart.  These folks recognize this simple truth:  parents are spending their hard earned money to send their kids to camp, trusting that these kids will have an amazing camping experience.  I can only speak for my family, yet I can say my kids absolutely love camp.

If I ever had a national platform that I could use to promote anything, I would use that platform to recommend parents send their kids to camp.  (Among other things) I know how simply working at summer camp changed my life.  I would have loved to attend a traditional summer camp, yet we simply did not know about them.  Many good camps exist in many different price ranges.  I can honestly say that the best, and most important money, we spend each year is for our kids to go to camp.  Amazing things happen at camp.  Send your kids to camp.  Family camp is good.  Camp without a parent is even better! 

Camp changes lives.