From: Pastor Dave Schreiber

Dear Brethren,

Hope many of you had an enjoyable break in midst of your week with the celebration of the 4th of July.   

Here at the Schreiber home -- as I mentioned previously, we're busy preparing for the upcoming Preteen Camp at Ironwood Springs.  The camp begins Sunday July 15th and goes through Wednesday July 18th.  

Our camper numbers are bursting at the seams again this year which is a really good thing!  Many campers are returning from prior years, but we have several first time campers coming. The 2018 registration for campers ages 5 to 13 now stands at 65.  We have 13 in our mini dorm  (children ages 2-5 years old).  We have 4 under two.  Teens staff is at 23.  With adult staff, teens, campers, mini dorm and our little ones, we're at 161.  There are three additional campers pending which if they come, it will break last year's record.  These numbers presents some challenges in certain areas, but these are good challenges to have as we see growth in the Church of God. 

Over the years our goals at camp include providing an opportunity for children to work, eat and play in a Godly environment.  The focus at camp is to help the campers practice God's way of love with respect and kindness to their fellow campers, the staff, as well as respect of the property we've been blessed to use.  Our daily Christian Living classes for teens and campers provides and opportunity to start the day with songs to praise God and bible study to learn more about our great God and deepen their relationship with Him.  

We've also made it a goal to provide our teens with an opportunity to develop Godly leadership skills as they interact and work together with the campers, other teens, and the adults in our family camp environment.  

Lastly, we've made it a goal to give the children an opportunity to make new friends and renew old friendships with other children who share a common faith and, as they say, "believe like I do".

In hearing from parents, a lot of the kids are really excited about camp this year and have their bags packed.

When the young campers apply for camp, they put down on their applications why they want to come to Camp Ironwood.  It's been moving to me over the years to see how many mention they want to come to camp to learn more about God and His way.  Some of their reasons are heart warming and as is my tradition now -- I want to share a few with you from this year's applications:

Why I want to come to camp?  (Taken directly from the applications)
Girl age 3    I want to go to camp to go to swimming; go on the zip line; and go to that church; and to see Jelly and sing songs and take a nap there; and do everything there.
Boy age 4    Because I want to.  Just want to play for a while.
Girl age 4    I want to ride on the horses.
Boy age 5    I want to learn about God and have fun.
Boy age 5    Because there might be a bunch of fun things there. And because maybe we get to go canoeing in the ocean in a speed boat or if you want an ocean liner, because there could be some fun toys there to play         with.
Boy age 5     It is really fun; I really like the bunk beds and staying up late.
Boy age 5     I love the activities and learning more about God and His Bible.  
Girl age 6     Cause I want to go swimming and zip lining.  Because I want to bow and arrow.  
Girl age 7     It's fun to learn how to act and live right; and I like seeing my old friends and especially making new friends.  We always learn that we are created with love and we're special.  
Girl age 7     I want to go to camp because I attended last year and really liked it.  I think I will have fun again and meet new friends. I like learning about God too.  
Boy age 9     I like it; its fun.
Girl age 9     I love God and like hanging out with my friends.
Girl age 9     Because I love it.  
Girl age 9     Because it is fun: and we learn things.  I love being with all my friends.  And it is about God.  
Girl age 9     I want to go to camp because I like making new friends and seeing old ones.  I am excited about the zip line and can hardly wait to go on it.  I also like learning about God in fun ways.  
Boy age 9     To make church friends.
Boy age 9     I want to meet new friends and learn about God. 
Boy age 10   Because it is a lot of fun with church friends.  I don't have any in my local area.   
Girl age 11    I like going to camp because I like doing the activities there and making friends, even though I am a little shy.  And I love learning about God.  
Girl age 12    I want to go to camp because I want to see my old friends and make new ones.  I also like the way I am surrounded by other kids my age who believe the same things I do.  
Girl age 12    I love to spend time with my church friends.  
Boy age 12    I enjoy all the kind people and the friendships I've made.  Love the activites and look forward to being a counselor in the future.  
Boy age 12    I would like to attend camp so I can make new friends and do fun activities with like minded kids; and learn more about God.
Girl age 12    I love the activities; making friends; and learning about God.  And - the food is good.

Together with a great team of adults and teens, we'll do our best to meet their camp goals.  We'll strive to teach them about God in their daily Christian Living Classes, but also in all the activities throughout the day ... showing them that "God's way works".   Our theme this year is "Friendship" and we're going to talk alot about what God says about being a friend and about friendship.  

Thank you brethren for your love, support and the financial contributions many of you have already made.  It all makes a difference. Thanks as well for your prayers for God's blessing on all aspects of the camp.  We  pray for God's protection as campers and staff travel to the camp -- as well as God's blessing on the the classes, activities, the weather and His guidance on all the staff as they live and teach God's truth.  We want all things to be done to His glory as we teach His precious children His Truth, with love.  

I look forward to those of you in Southern MN this Sabbath.  

Have a meaningful Sabbath,  

Dave

Scriptures to read:
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.  (Proverbs 17:17)