Tuesday, August 31, 2010

SPECIAL LETTER

An email letter sent to the supporters and parents of WARRIOR CAMP: Nampa, Idaho . 7-31-10

Letter sent on: 8-14-10

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Dear Parents and Supporters,

Hey! This is Derek from WARRIOR CAMP. I hope you're enjoying the rest of your summer!

If you're in a rush and just want to see the WARRIOR CAMP Pics, feel free to scroll down to the link below. If not, I wanted to send you a quick update about the WARRIOR CAMP which touched down on July 31 at the Bethel Field.

We're now exactly 2 weeks out from WARRIOR CAMP 2010: NAMPA EDITION, and I just wanted to let you know how grateful we are for your involvement, support, and encouragement. I can't say that enough. Whether you allowed your son to attend, wanted to but had a schedule conflict, or helped us spread the word, I wanted to extend a personal thank you for your support, prayer, efforts, and help at making WARRIOR CAMP 2010 a big hit for the boys. It was epic. God answered prayer in a big way and deserves all the praise.

If you're curious what the boys did at WARRIOR CAMP, here's a rapid snapshot:

Throughout the 11 hour marathon of fun and discipleship, the Warriors participated in a Team Tournament including a 5 minute race, Truck Pull, and Tug-O-War. (That's right, I said Truck Pull. 7,000+ lbs of F150 for 200 feet!). The Opening Ceremonies involved the Pledge of Allegiance, National Anthem, and the March of the Clans. (This is where team pride was big!) Next came a Weapon Workshop, where each Warrior got to build his own sword. He would use his sword in the battle games to follow, and take it home as a souvenir after his completion of WARRIOR CAMP. Next, "The Crucible" (our new 8-stage obstacle course) challenged Warriors with everything from an ice-blocking sprint called the "Siberian Rodeo" to a slime-filled slip n' slide, an uphill frog-walk with scuba gear, a 40+ yard weight pull, and a gauntlet of moving hurdles known as the "Fun Noodle Frenzy". To go out with a bang, we enjoyed slime fights on the slip n slide and "King of the Tube" in a 1500 gallon swimming pool. Other games involved our signature "Kingdom Under Fire" where each team built their own castle, exited, and then barraged their opponent's castle with high-performance waterballoon launchers. Again, to go out with a bang, we let each team run through and obliterate the opposing castle, making sure no walls were left standing! "Man vs. Food" allowed a volunteer Warrior from each team the chance to earn bonus points for his team by conquering his taste-buds. "Sword Wars" pitted Blue Warriors vs. Red Warriors, and later Warriors vs. Leaders, in the Final Battles.

But Warrior Camp isn't all just fun and games. Our spiritual objective is blunt and rare: to challenge each Warrior to grow into a young man who is a real man after God's own heart. Throughout the day, Warriors were challenged across 3 discipleship rallies in this year's theme of "Honor. Courage. Commitment to God." In the final rally, 24 out of 25 boys decided to step up, and make some kind of commitment to God. Some of these included honesty, not being a bully, sanctification, and being a Warrior for God. Each participating Warrior immortalized his same commitment on two separate bricks. One brick went home with the Warrior and the other remains at Bethel Church in a bold "Monument Stack", tangibly representing a milestone in their walk with an awesome God.

This was our first WARRIOR CAMP here in the Treasure Valley in nearly 3 years, and God moved in a big way. The Warriors had a blast, and God is at work in these boys, many of whom responded with bold strides during the rallies. (Note to Dads: I think it would be a great followup if you want to work through the rest of the WARRIOR CAMP Discipleship booklet with your son. If you'd like an extra booklet for you, please let me know).

Thanks again so much for all your encouragement. You'll never know... (It was also great to be back in the original stomping grounds here in Nampa, right where our very first WARRIOR CAMP took place in September of 2007!).

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If you'd like to check out the pics from WARRIOR CAMP 2010, I've included a link right here below. Hope you enjoy all 500+ of them!

WARRIOR CAMP PICS . NAMPA . 2010

Slideshow Feature:
Once you click on the link above, then select the red "Slideshow" button near the upper right if you'd like to enable the automatic slideshow feature.

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If you'd like to be kept in the loop about WARRIOR CAMP 2011, and/or you'd like to receive our special update to "WARRIOR NATION" which comes out via email 5-7 times per year, feel free to let me know.

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If you did not receive some or all of the WARRIOR CAMP Stuff you ordered, feel free to let me know. I'll be glad to get it to you asap.

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Thanks again. If you're a Warrior's mom or dad, we count it a privilege to have had your son attend WARRIOR CAMP, and are looking forward to next summer!

Grow strong and God bless,

Derek
Isaiah 40:28-11

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