Pine Cove Outback 2022

This week is one that Camden has been looking forward to since he left Pine Cove last year. Since this was his second year and I knew what to expect, it was easier to pack and I don't think he and I were as nervous.

This year he went with his friends Trennan, Cole and Tyce. Camden and I  rode up with Cole and his mom and met the other boys and their parents at the Mr. Gatti's in Brenham. We then headed to Columbus to Pine Cove. The boys wanted to get there early to ensure that they would get a top bunk. Once there, the boys all piled up in Tyce's mom's vehicle so they could enter through the gates together. 

First top - pickle ball!

Mission accomplished - top bunk!

When we got to the cabin, we met the boys counselor,  Diesel. He is from Nebraska and is headed into his last year of college. While making Camden's bed, I heard Diesel speaking to Trennan's dad and he was not raised in a home where they went to church regularly. He said it was a loving home, but it was not until he got to college that he established a relationship with the Lord. I had no doubt he would have some things to share and teach the boys this week.  

As to be expected, I stalked the Pine Cove app daily to find pics of Camden. 

First theme night was Rumble in the Jungle - 
Camden was in his safari outfit.

All the boys in his cabin - the other
four were friends from Austin.

I could see his little face and it looked like
he was having a ball at the 
Space Jam Odyssey

Despite his face in this pic, he said he had a good
time riding horses. 

Getting ready for Battle at the Billabong

Time to wakeboard

Operation Infiltration

I send 3 letters in Camden's trunk, one for him to open on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. On Tuesday and Thursday, we are able to send him a letter through the Pine Cove App and he in turn can write to us and we receive them on Wednesday and Friday. So, as you can imagine I was stalking the app waiting for our letter. The day came and went and no letter. . .  I was beside myself. It is not mandatory that they write a letter home, but surely MY child knows he needs to write his momma. I contacted Cole's mom and she too did not receive a letter. I went to bed sad - Shane said he wasn't really surprised, but I was. But then, Thursday morning, my letter arrived. Woo Hoo!!! I guess Pine Cove may have been having some issues. And on Friday I received my second letter.  

                            

Late Night at the Outback - their
last night at camp.

Today was the day to pick up our campers. Casen had a baseball tournament, so Shane could not go and unfortunately I came down with COVID on Thursday and was absolutely miserable laid up on the couch with a fever I couldn't break, a horrible headache and cough. I was so upset that I was not able to be there to pick Camden up, hug his neck and hear all about his time at camp on the drive home. Luckily, Cole's mom had no problem picking him up and made sure to take pictures and a video of Camden when he received his Character Qualities (CQs), which were enthusiastic, friendly and joyful.

Camden enjoyed Diesel  - he said he was strict
but really liked him.

This is the second year one of his 
CQs has been joyful. 

Camden and I were so sad we couldn't hug, sit and talk about his week. Instead, he stayed away from me and we talked between rooms about his time at Pine Cove. He tried some new things and made new friends. When I told him I missed him so much, he said he had a great time but was glad he was home. :)

Mission #2 and Pine Cove Fun

The world is really a crazy place right now and as much as I try to not watch the news, social media is a constant reminder of the evil that is around us. A few things recently have hit a little closer to home than I care for and Camden is they type of kid who is very aware fo things and is asking questions that, truthfully, are hard to answer. On May 24th, an 18 year old gunman made his way into a Uvalde elementary school and shot 19 third and fourth graders and two teachers. Fourth graders - the same age as Casen. Heart wrenching. And then on June 2nd, we had a tragedy hit our hometown that was horrific and unexplainable. A grandfather and his four grandsons were stabbed and shot in their weekend ranch by an escaped convict. Three of the boys were all brothers and then the fourth was their cousin, Bryson. I worked with the father of Bryson at Hamilton, Casen played baseball with him and his mother was Casen's school nurse. I hate that my children know what a scary world this can be and pray they don't live in fear. Luckily, my boys have learned to turn to God and they pray for all the families involved in these tragedies. We talk about the pain these families are going through, but remember that they will all be reunited one day. 

Prior to this week, we have been baseballing it and Camden had his last soccer game, which he had the biggest cheering section! Casen's last tournament was in Crosby at the highschool. Despite the hour long drive to get their and the fact that we did not make it to the championship game, the facility was very nice.

This week, both boys were busy learning more about Jesus. Camden was on his mission with the church and Casen was attended Pine Cove in the City. This year, Camden and his best friend Cole did not get assigned to the same mission week. Camden was a little nervous about that, however he ended up making new friends. It is fun to see the difference between the picture of the group the first day vs their last day. Spending 8 hours a day together for a week definitely changes your relationship. :) 

Camden's group, Houston 1, had a few meetings over the past few months preparing for their mission. They ended up naming their group the Alpaca Roadwichers (I'll pack a roadwhich).  The Road is the global missions program at our church and when the group arrives to the church first thing in the morning they eat breakfast and make their lunches to take on the road. I thought their name was very creative!

Camden spent his week putting on a VBS for kids at the Mission of Yahweh as well as serving alongside various ministries in Houston including Northwest Assistance Ministries where they sorted clothes and Meals on Wheels where they delivered food to seniors. Unfortunately, they did not get to do the VBS on Thursday or Friday as one of the people on his mission came down with COVID, so instead went to Meyer park where they handed out water to people there. At the end of the day, his group would head back to church for  a bible study and to discuss their day. Camden had to step out of his comfort zone some this week, but really enjoyed serving others. 

Faithbridge was recognized as 'Volunteers of
the Month' at Mission of Yahweh and
the Houston1team was there to receive
 an award from their staff. 

 

Organizing clothes at NAM
 (Camden's least favorite thing the did)

The team taking a break and 
having a dance party.

The last day, everyone received
an alpaca keychain to remind
them of their mission.

One of Camden's leaders gave him 
this card the last day. Makes a 
Momma heart happy!

Today was a huge day for Camden. Aside from it being his last day of his mission, he got his first ever phone. Truthfully, he is one of the last of his friends to receive a phone, however we have held off as long as we can. Up to this point, Camden has been either right next door or at the same school as his dad, so we did not see the need for a phone. With Shane and I both working in schools, we see all the negatives of kids having a phone - there is so much cyber bullying and let's face it, despite all the restrictions you can put on them and the access they have on their phones, there are other parents who either aren't aware or just don't care and their kids share inappropriate things or show inappropriate things to others. We do our best to constantly talk to the boys about what is right and what our expectations are for them. Now that Camden is riding his bike to friends houses that are several neighborhoods over and will be going to junior high and staying for after school activities, we felt it was finally time. 

To say he was happy is
an understatement!

Casen's week at Pine Cove in the City was fun! He came home daily hoarse and exhausted from . His counselor, Elliott, was from Alaska and likes to rap, so his camp name was Eskiflow. He was a bundle of energy and Casen enjoyed being in his group.

Casen's birthday was the second day of camp and they made him go up on stage and sang to him. I have no doubt he loved it!

After camp, he went to get
an allergy shot and fell asleep.

Then he fell asleep once
he got home prior to going to
baseball practice.

For someone who is not a napper, it
must have been another exhausting day!

Today was the last day of camp. This year they allowed the parents to come in the last hour and catch a glimpse of what the campers have done all week by watching them worship and then showing a video from the week. Just watching them worship tired me out and made me realize why Casen is so tired by the time he gets home. A week of loud chants, worship and fun activities left him hoarse and exhausted. I definitely know why my boys love Pine Cove!

The campers are constantly jumping and dancing.

Casen and Eskiflow

Character Qualities (CQs) are something I look forward to. At the end of the week, the counselors tell each camper what CQs that they have seen from them throughout the week. Eskiflow said Casen was uplifting, dependable and flexible. As Casen said afterwards, "Those are good ones!" I couldn't agree more.