2008: Packing the Sessions

What would camp be like if the session was packed with kids? I mean MAX'd OUT!
The singing would be awesome! It would be all that makes camp fun, just more
of it.

First off, how many is the MAX? Well, Let's say the camp hires an extra guy
counselor and an extra girl counselor, so five guys and five girls. If we draw
the line at 12 campers in each cabin than we'd full at 60 guys and 60 girls.
120 campers.

It's been a long time since we got even close to that, so why would we plan to
Max out in 2008?

Are you sitting down? Maybe lying down would be safer still. Here's the
crazy-campfire idea that someone on the Board of Trustees threw down: "For 2008
only, if an FPYC kid invites a new cabin-age camper to try a session at FPYC,
that first-time camper will receive one session of camp FREE." Yep, invite a
2008 newbie to Flaming Pine, and the Rookie gets the session for Free.

Yes, that includes the much coveted Senior Session, a two week gift. Sure,
they would still pay for canteen, craft stuff, and the bus ride if needed, but
hey hey! What a deal! What a great way to get new friends to try FPYC.

So, it's perfectly reasonable to expect that we WILL fill up the sessions,
starting with Senior Week. What happens when we reach 60 guys/60 girls? Umm,
we hit a [good] problem we've never had. We start a stand-by list or suggest
an alternate session. You may be wondering, (that voice screaming inside your
head), "How do I make sure me and my friends have a spot reserved at our
favorite session?"

Register early. You don't have to wait until SpiritFest when the 2008
Registration Forms are on hand. Download a Registration Form now from the web,
one for you and one for your never-been-to-camp homie. Fill them out and send
them in now, even today.

Sure - this is worth getting excited about! Pack your Session!

by: Kent Davidson

Be Careful Little Feet Where You Go...

Be careful little feet where you go...

The directors at camp are putting their foot down (in a manner of speaking). What’s got them stomping? Feet injuries. Campers are coming to FPYC thinking that flip flops are going to be the only shoe they’ll need. Going to play multi-ball soccer – “Going for my flip flops”. Time for the Hike – “Time to grab my flip flops”. Working in the kitchen – “Flip flops work for me”.

Sorry! No! Wrong! Open-toed shoes cannot be worn in the Kitchen area. That’s the law of the land in Minnesota. For sports and the hike – flip flops just don’t get the job done. Kids are getting their feet hurt and it’s slowing them down and effecting the camp sessions. Not to mention the icky job the camp nurse gets. I’ll spare you the details – not a pretty picture.

Here’s where the rubber meets the road, open-toed shoes can only be worn to and from swim period, and to and from the shower house. That’s it. This applies to all campers no matter how big or little your feet. Come prepared to enjoy camp fully – bring the shoes you’ll need to keep up.

Ephesians 6:15

Camp Baptism

Baptisms at camp NEVER get old. It is possible that I have personally witnessed 50 baptisms at camp in my time spent there. They are all special.

Bapstism is a foreshadow of things to come. It is ripe with meaning and symbolism. It is a beautiful cleansing, a bold declaration, a promise for the future.

Camp Reunion

It is upon - the Flaming Pine Youth Camp Reunion.

This is going to be fabulous.

Hope to see you there.

Young Peace

A child's peace in an aging body
Is beauty unfolding in grace;












After deadlines and obligations have worn;
After storms and losses have raged;
After the violence of fears
And oceans of tears
Take their toll in what we call age;

After drooping and sagging sets in;
After creaking and catching begins;
After the body of aches
And limbs full of shakes
Send wrinkles all over the skin;

If anything remains in the soul;
If anything fills the Hole;
If there's meaning in old bones
And slow flesh that groans
It's peace that does not grow old.

Play

You can learn more about a person in a few minutes of play than you can learn about that person from a life time of work.

People should play. Children know this inherently. They enjoy playing, they learn best while playing, and they develop healthy relationships and leadership skills while playing. It is one of the best things a child can do.

It is also one of the best things adults can do. Hey grown ups, let's play!!!

Boys just want to have fun

Boys like to have adventures. They like to take risks and figure things out by doing. Camp is great place for boys.

What is more adventurous than lakes and forests and critters?

We'd be fools to think that the things that lit up a boy's imagination 50 years ago are any different today. Boys will try so hard to tell us something that has always been true, but is novel and must be spoke in their voices. We must be there to listen.

An unheard boy is a danger to the world. We must listen to boys. A heard boy is a blessing to the world. It is our choice what will happen with boys.

The Bid is...

Jill Tarnowski, caught in the bidding craze, inadvertantly bids on half the cheese in Wisconsin.

Loyalty. Seriously, she's never going to eat all that cheese. Way to go Jill.

Magic Bartch

Magic Johnson worked wonders on the basketball court. He could do anything with the basketball.

Well, Flaming Pine Youth Camp has its own magic man. Our care taker, Don Bartch, manages the camp ground and loves to drive large equipment.

Need it fixed? Don's your man. Need to know where something is? Ask Don. Need something made out of plastic? Yep, Don can do it.

Smiles and Hope on the Horizon

If there is one thing camp has produced in great abundance over the years it is smiles. Happiness is contagious at camp.

I remember years I longed for camp. I lasted through the agony of middle school just for a taste of camp. There were times when I knew I could make it because camp was on the horizon.

Sometimes happiness on the horizon draws one through that which is unbearable. Hope out ahead makes life worth living.

The hope that camp is coming is a metaphor of the hope we have in Heaven. Knowing what's coming, ultimately, makes what's coming between now adn then worth the effort.

Summer Beauty in December

Children Matter

At Flaming Pine Youth Camp, children matter. It is the reason for the very existence for camp.

Children add to the beauty of the world. Their innocence, their sense of wonder, their unawareness to how horrible this world can be is what brings grown ups hope when we look at them.

We are to become like childen. Though we become initiated into sin, and darkness, and doubt, we can reclaim, or at least get a small hint into that childness.

We must strive to be like children as we grow older.

All Camp Reunion

Flaming Pine Youth Camp
All- Camp Reunion
July 20-22, 2007

Join us for an unforgettable weekend! The first All - Camp Reunion is an opportunity to reconnect with people from around the country who have touched our lives through this “Northern Woods” location. There will be something for everyone; including singing, fellowship, campfire time, “skit” night and time to reconnect with friends and family.

As camp continues its 31 year of traditions, please take this opportunity to relax, reminisce, and celebrate all the good things God has done through this unique setting!

Visit the camp web site for more information!
www.fpyc.org

Friends are Friends Forever