Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Camp, etc.

Toady, we're taking Elliot to camp for the first time. He'll be spending the rest of the week at Jumonville with John Shaver, pastor of "emerging ministries" at Christ UMC in Bethel Park. Elliot is very excited, having watched his big brother and sisters go to camp each year, and not being old enough until now. Robyn is a little uneasy, letting go of her "baby" for the next few days. I'm sure it will be great for both of them.

Next week, Claire goes to pony camp at Camp Allegheny with Eric Raygor, pastor of Grace UMC in Somerset. The following week, Christian will start band camp at TJ High School, and Kate will be off to drama camp at Camp Allegheny, where she'll perform in Godspell.

Summer will officially conclude for our family on August 26. On that day, JUMC will be worshipping at Round Hill Park in nearby Elizabeth, PA rather than in our sanctuary facilities, then to enjoy our annual church picnic. That evening, our recently formed ministerium will hold its first event together...a community "back-to-school" prayer service at TJ High School.

All in all, quite a busy finale for the summer.

11 comments:

Greg Cox said...

We will see you at Jville in just a few hours! Bekah is in the same camp and very excited. Tracy, however, is in the same place as Robyn. See you soon.

Randy Roda said...

Sounds like August will be great!

Brett Probert said...

A great way to spend the summer!

Chris said...

Looks like you'll have a busy August, but it also sounds great!

Randy Roda said...

Is that really Shaver's title...If so, I think it's cool.

Brett Probert said...

Randy...yes it is, and let's face it, Shaver is the coolest thing going right now. Have you checked out his happenin' blog?

http://www.shaverland.blogspot.com/

Corben said...

I feel your worries, I was nervous the first time pearl... Well she is only two, but I worry when I think about the first time she is going to go off to camp!!!

And I was worried the first time she stayed overnight at my mother-in laws, I should not have been since we all lived their for awhile, but dads will worry.

All of your children will be in our prayers.

God bless

Jeff Vanderhoff said...

Keep Kate in your prayers, Keith - she'll be at Camp Allegheny the same week I'm there for Horse Camp! I'll make sure to say hello!

Unknown said...

boy, I cannot help but feel a bit sad reading your blog. I remember One Way Camp at Jumonville and horse camp at Allegheny. I have such great memories and yet my kids will never experience those places... the price of living on the West Coast I suppose.

Charlotte said...

I remember sending my girls to camp for the first time... scary experience for me. But they loved it! He couldn't be in better hands with John Shaver. John is so passionate about the ministry he does at Jumonville. I'm so blessed to be in ministry with him at Christ Church.

Keith H. McIlwain said...

Joe - Each year, when I send my kids to Jumonville or Camp Allegheny (and once to Wesley Woods), I feel like a really good dad. I know the impact camp had on my life...I was born again at One Way Camp on June 19, 1983...and I feel giddy each time I take my kids. I hope you find comparable camps in the Pacific Northwest!

Charlotte - One of the things I like to do when I can is send my kids to camps with deans I know and trust...like John and Eric Raygor...or, in years past, Bob Zilhaver, Brett Probert, and Gary Bailey. There are many others to pick from, I know, but it's nice being able to hook up my kids with friends. And Brett.