WARRIOR CAMP Recap 101 (below)
I thought it might be a fun time to push the rewind button a bit and track Warrior Camp from Day 1 through the present. Not that there's ever any confusion here, but God gets all the glory! So buckle up for a running version of WARRIOR CAMP Recap 101:
Easter Weekend, 2005: God inspires the vision for Warrior Camp
Camp #1
WARRIOR CAMP
Nampa, Idaho
Lake Lowell Park
September 8, 2007
Attendance: 17 boys
Age: Mostly Jr. High
The spark that started a fire = First WARRIOR CAMP ever. God gets all the credit! Thanks to Todd and all the Warriors for being brave guinea pigs! 10 hours in which the vision became alive. The debut for what would define WARRIOR CAMP. "Awesome Game Time. Awesome God Time". Almost no $ to work with, but God provides. Raft Relays, Highland Games, Weapon Workshop, and Sword Battles. Discipleship Rallies: "Mighty Men from Judges". "How to Be a Good King". "What a Godly girl wants". Prayer/Share/Rock Ceremony. (Guess which one was the favorite?) Also: First WARRIOR CAMP DVD and WARRIOR CAMP Pics are borne. Slowly but surely, the word begins to spread! Big thanks to our original team and original warriors! A fantastic day ending in amazing gratitude to and awe of God. One Warrior gets saved as a result!
Camp #2
WARRIOR CAMP
Grandview, Washington
Grandview Church of the Nazarene Field
July 10, 2009
Attendance: 24 boys
Age: grades 4-7
Sophomore Event! Hitting the road and going out of state for our first non-home-church invite, and furthest distance ever travelled for WARRIOR CAMP. The Warriors made the front page! Also new: Games, Discipleship Rallies: "Dare to Be a Daniel", Knighthood Ceremony, Weapon Workshop: Blow Guns, new Discipleship Speaker dedicated exclusively to the Discipleship Rallies, Expanded Team, 1st WARRIOR CAMP T-shirts.
Camp #3
WARRIOR CAMP
Grandview, Washington
Grandview Church of the Nazarene Field
July 17, 2010
Attendance: 33 boys
Age: grades 3-6
First 2nd invite. Woohoo! Biggest Warrior turnout ever. Warriors made it into "The Daily Sun" and "The Grandview Herald" 3 combined times. We're proud of you Washington Warriors! Thanks so much for having us back. Other 1sts: New Games and Discipleship Rallies: "Honor. Courage. Commitment to God." Monument Ceremony in which every Warrior voluntarily made some kind of commitment to God = so awesome to see! WARRIOR CAMP Obstacle Course (aka "The Crucible"), Warrior Camp Dog Tags, Group Photo, Official Photo Slideshow, 2nd WARRIOR CAMP T-shirt, and Sunday morning service show-and-tell. Thanks a ton Grandview! We love you all, and will see you next Summer!
Camp #4
WARRIOR CAMP
Nampa, Idaho
Bethel Church of the Nazarene Field
July 31, 2010
Attendance: 25 boys
Age: Grades 4-7
(Note: We were praying for 25 boys. Praise God!)
Back on the Stomping Grounds! First WARRIOR CAMP back in Idaho in almost 3 years. For some of our Warriors, they got to experience WARRIOR CAMP like their older brothers had done in 2007. Final discipleship rally in which 24 Warriors voluntarily made some kind of commitment to God! = awesome. It was great to bring WARRIOR CAMP back home where it all began! This also capped off our first "double-header" summer in which we had 2 WARRIOR CAMPS. You Idaho Warriors are awesome, and we're looking forward to seeing you again next Summer!
Camp #5
WARRIOR CAMP
Nampa, Idaho
Bethel Church of the Nazarene Field
July 15, 2011
Attendance: 20 boys
Age: Grades 4-7
The camp that broke the 100 Warriors Barrier! This marked the 3rd Warrior Camp in Nampa, and the first back-to-back Warrior Camp in Nampa. It was great having some of the Warriors from 2010 back and pumped up for Warrior Camp 2011. Idaho Warriors challenged Virginia Warriors in the Shout Out Challenge, and peaked out at 100.1 decibels to take a close 2nd place. First-time-ever-debuts included prize drawings, the Green Machines (i.e. low-profile huffy stunt trikes with 180 degree spin capability), a 10-foot-diameter beach ball, and the local Firemen coming out to soak us all @ 200 gallons per minute = so much fun! Each Warrior also got to take a turn spraying the firehose. It was also the Northwest debut for one of our newer, fun games (with a familiar name) called Cops and Robbers, and Nampa Warriors had the chance to play it for the first time within 2,000+ miles. They also played the jail-breaker game "Prisoner of War" for its Nampa debut. In the Discipleship Rallies, students were challenged and encouraged to dare to be bold like Daniel, the famous prayer warrior from Scripture who, no matter the pressure, wouldn't budge in or water down his stalwart faith in a big, worthy God. We closed with a knighthood ceremony involving a William Wallace claymore, and in which students had the chance to voluntarily sign and obtain the Warrior's Creed - a bold, unflinching statement based on the early chapters of Judges, and the heroes therein. One kid, Dawson, from Spokane, really wanted to come to Warrior Camp, and won the all-time furthest distance traveled award. 2-3 other students specially requested their own copy of the Warrior's Creed which they signed, and at least one of these kids now has it framed at home. Praise God for a safe, unforgettable, fun, and spiritually impacting camp! Thanks to a great team of Warrior Camp Leaders: Chris, Mike, Jaden, Casey, Lynn, Rodney, Dave, and all who helped make it happen. Thanks to the moms and dads for letting your sons attend. Looking forward to seeing them again next summer!
Also, we're really excited for the team of female leaders (Alyssa, Christine, Natalie and Sarah) who met that weekend to cast a vision for launching a special girl's camp in Summer of 2012. Thanks for all you do, and we're cheering you on!
Camp #?
WARRIOR CAMP
Dakar, Senegal. Africa
Venue: Soccer Field
February 22, 2014
Attendance: Approximately 51 Boys and Youth (At The ShoutOut)
Age: Approximately Age 5-20+
MC Youth Pastor: Louie Pierre
Camp #?
WARRIOR CAMP
Baad Village, Senegal. Africa.
Venue: Baad Village Church . Outdoor Area
February 24, 2014
Attendance: 25 boys (At The ShoutOut)
Age: Approximately 6-11
Camp #?
WARRIOR CAMP
Nampa, Idaho
Venue: Bethel Church of the Nazarene and Church Field
June 7, 2014
Attendance: 28 Boys + 4 Dads (In ShoutOut)
Age: Grades 4-6
Camp #?
WARRIOR CAMP
Grandview, Washington
Venue: Grandview Church of the Nazarene and Church Field
June 20, 2014
Attendance: 26 Boys (In ShoutOut)
Age: Grades 4-6
Camp #?
WAR GAMES
Nampa, Idaho
Venue: Rogers Yard for Base Camp, Bethel Church, and the Jungle
August 22-24, 2014
Attendance: 10 Competitors + 4 Dads (In ShoutOut)
Age: Grades 7-12 (Primarily Highschoool)
Camp #?
WARRIOR CAMP
Greenleaf, Idaho.
Venue: Greenleaf Friends Church and Football Field
October 11, 2014
Attendance: 13 boys and 3 Dads (In ShoutOut)
Age: Grades 2-6
All of us are super excited for what God may have next, and humbled at the opportunity to be apart of it! To the Nampa Warriors: keep growing as a man after God's own heart. Don't stop. Don't compromise. He's worthy. Hope to see you next summer!
(Total WARRIOR CAMP Attendance to Date: 119)
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Thursday, July 21, 2011
WARRIOR CAMP UPDATE . 7-21-11 . SUMMER EDITION!
Date: July 21, 2011
From: Near God's giant Sawtooth Mountains in Stanley, Idaho
Hello WARRIOR NATION!
The pics are up! Praise God for a fun, epic Warrior Camp, bold commitments to God ... and no fatalities :) Props to all you awesome Idaho Warriors, and everyone who helped make it happen. Don't forget the Warrior's Creed, and the commitment you made to God. Hope you enjoy the pics!
More later and God bless,
Derek
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Manual View:
http://s242.photobucket.com/albums/ff194/warriorcamp1/Nampa%207-15-2011/
Slideshow View:
http://s242.photobucket.com/albums/ff194/warriorcamp1/Nampa%207-15-2011/?albumview=slideshow
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From: Near God's giant Sawtooth Mountains in Stanley, Idaho
Hello WARRIOR NATION!
The pics are up! Praise God for a fun, epic Warrior Camp, bold commitments to God ... and no fatalities :) Props to all you awesome Idaho Warriors, and everyone who helped make it happen. Don't forget the Warrior's Creed, and the commitment you made to God. Hope you enjoy the pics!
More later and God bless,
Derek
-------
Manual View:
http://s242.photobucket.com/albums/ff194/warriorcamp1/Nampa%207-15-2011/
Slideshow View:
http://s242.photobucket.com/albums/ff194/warriorcamp1/Nampa%207-15-2011/?albumview=slideshow
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Tuesday, March 22, 2011
WARRIOR CAMP UPDATE . 3-22-11
Coming Home. Taken from my window on 3-22-11 . DC9 . Detroit -> Minneapolis @ 30,000 feet!
DATE: March 22, 2011
FROM: somewhere between 28,000-30,000 feet
Hello Warrior Nation! Wow. It seems like each one of our interactions has something distinguishing or record-making about it. Today is no exception. I thought it'd be fun to talk to you from inside this big DC9 somewhere between Detroit and Minneapolis while cruising at about 30,000 feet, and knifing through the atmosphere at over 500 miles per hour. (Check that off the bucket-list!) Believe it or not, before departing for Detroit earlier today, eavesdropping passengers (including myself) witnessed some comic relief when the otherwise professional and extroverted stewardess asked a female passenger to return to her previous seat in order to help balance the weight of the plane! (I’m still not sure if she was joking, but am sure that any male attendant would’ve gotten slapped for that one).
Anyway, for those 2 people out there (1 being my mom) who may be interested in why I happen to be airborne at the moment, thanks for facilitating a creative segue! I’m actually in the process of personally moving for the first major time ever, and (believe it or not) locking down in one place for once. You see, I’ve been bouncing back and forth between Idaho and Virginia like a traveling nomad for awhile, but this time it’s different. Some of you may remember when Warrior Camp packed its bags and headed to Virginia for an East Coast debut last year, and how excited we were to go through the doors God was opening. That was a year of God doing big things, and I encourage you to check out the related blog posts! While I'll probably bounce back to Virginia once in awhile during vacation days, this year something new is on the horizon. When it comes to youth ministry, things are about to become a bit more like a running a full-fledged Taco Bell vs. driving that mobile burrito truck on the street corner. (Not that there's anything wrong with driving a burrito truck!). Anyway, for much of the last 2 weeks, I've been in Virginia hanging out with my bro and cousin over their Spring break, saying good-bye to friends, practically jumping on top of my stuff to cram it into moving boxes, and getting on a first-name basis with the UPS employees. (No joke...they ARE all about logistics!) For the next week-ish, my stuff will be gradually showing up on my doorstep in Nampa, Idaho. It's a farewell that is full of unforgettable memories, but it's good to be coming home.
Why the move? Since our last update, God has opened up an exciting ministry door in my original stomping grounds of Nampa, Idaho. About 3 weeks ago (3-2-11), my pastor called and broke the news: following my interview (2-26-11), he and the board were inviting me to serve as the youth pastor of my home church. To say I’m excited would be about as understated as suggesting that Agent Orange makes for questionable toothpaste, or that Kimbo Slice has forgotten what Walmart-aisle has the shaving cream. It's the start of something new, and is still sinking in! I want to be faithful, fully plugged in, and used by Him at this new post, and your prayers are greatly treasured. In addition, the visionary wheels are spinning over what new ministry opportunities God might open up for Warrior Camp, as we prayerfully and diligently adjust our cross-hairs and focus in on the Northwest. A new chapter begins!
At the risk of sounding like the Academy Awards, thanks so much to Dave, Angela, Diana, and to One Body in Christ Ministries (OBIC) for giving us the opportunity to debut Warrior Camp in the East Coast last year. I really mean that. None of this would have happened without you. Big high-fives also to the awesome team at Brentwood Church for (being brave enough to give us "out-of-staters") the opportunity to partner with you in the first Father/Son Warrior Camp Event ever. (Amee and Angie: you're a blessing and a riot to work with!). Props to all the Dads for going the distance with their sons that day. To all the boys in the Warrior Club, including Josh and Caleb: I love your Bible names and the Bible heroes who owned them before you. Let them inspire your own walk with God and don't forget what He did in you yourselves last Fall. Keep owning Scripture, maturing in strength and courage, and growing into the young man after God's own heart that He calls you to be. Thanks also to the 3 moms who invited us to realize a fun idea of one-day running Warrior's Birthday Bash Parties for birthday boys. Hope you boys enjoyed your party! Thanks a ton to our willing and dedicated East Coast team: Jaden, Brent, Nate, Vargas, and Camp Nurse Ashley for all your sweat and enthusiasm. It shows and is so motivating. I refuse to believe that what God did in all of these kid's lives last year in Lynchburg, Virginia will be hampered or erased by this new transition to Idaho. God is way too big for that. May all the ministries at OBIC and Brentwood continue flourishing in His big and capable hands.
That’s all for now (before I get choked up) but definitely more later. As always, thanks so much for your words of encouragement, donations, support, and prayer.
Looking forward to this new season God is unfolding, and I trust you’re experiencing God’s hand afresh too!
Stay connected, and God bless,
Derek
Isaiah 43:16-21
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
WARRIOR CAMP UPDATE . 2-1-11
February 1, 2011
From: Spokane, Washington
Hello WARRIOR NATION! I hope you're doing well and enjoying a great start to the new year.
First, I wanted to let you know that this last weekend marked the Winter Retreat for the youth group at Cornerstone Church, in Spokane, Washington. Chris Pope, my friend and our Warrior Camp discipleship speaker, is the youth pastor there, and gave me the chance to participate and run games for their Winter Retreat at Chewelah Peak this year. (FYI: for me, running games at a God-centered event is like diving into a canyon of berry covered cheesecake :) There's some great stuff that could be said here, but the most important thing by far is that 6 students got saved! God is doing big things in that youth group, and He gets all the praise!
On another note, it has been a little while since we last talked, but I have 2 goals for this very special 1st kick-off update for 2011.
1. Keep it short(er) and sweet
2. Give you a quick snapshot of what’s new from 2010
Ready? Here we go…
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WARRIOR CAMP FEEDBACK . 2010
2010 marked the year in which Warrior Camp packed its bags and headed out for its East coast debut. We really welcome feedback from campers and their families, whether negative or positive. While we haven’t exactly done something like this before, what follows is a response from both an Idaho mom and a Virginia dad whose sons attended Warrior Camp in 2010. Both were kind enough to let us include their responses in this update. Feel free to check them out below.
---
From an Idaho Mom:
http://kristencheney.blogspot.com/2011/01/warrior-camp.html
---
From a Virginia Dad:
“Guys. Sammy and I went to Warrior Camp a week and a half ago. I'm still sore and Sam is still talking about it. Really, really good stuff! A day of field games, fireworks, blow-gun building, short historical and spiritual lessons, cooking over a fire, and wandering around in the woods with your son. Awesome! In addition, Jon Dupin, the pastor from Brentwood called out the dads (and a couple of granddads) and gave us a short, in your face kind of challenge about what dads are called to do and be...
There is a bunch here and I could go on and on but I want you to know that it changed me and created one super day filled with memories and lessons for Sam and me-one of those days that will never be forgotten. You know how they say your life flashes back in front of you just before you kick the bucket? Yeah, Warrior Camp will be one of those pictures for me.
Warrior Camp is a Christian based program put together by a guy from Idaho named Derek Bartlow. He is copied on this e. This was the first camp east of the Mississippi. Derek is living here in the burg with some friends from Brentwood for the next few weeks. I would very much like for a couple or all of you guys to get together with him and let him tell you more about it and possibly offer this to the folks at Blue Ridge. Also, they are having another one (sponsored by a different church) on the 13th at David Dudley's farm off of Leesville Road for 6-8th grades.
There are many, many great things about this program but I will mention just this one more: uninvolved dads! Unfortunately, it seems that no matter what we do as a church we can't reach some of these guys-they won't have an All In life for themselves. But their sons, now that is another story. They will run the wheels off a minivan making sure their kids get all the sports, education, and social life they can. Warrior Camp is a way to reach these guys or at least take another crack at them from a different angle.
Derek says he can meet with us on Thursday or Friday around lunch and if that doesn't work there is a possibility of meeting with him between services on Sunday. Please hit "reply all" and let us know.”
Warrior!
John Doe
Lynchburg, Virginia
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That’s all for now. Thanks to all the moms and dads who allow their sons to attend WARRIOR CAMP! Thank you also so much for your support, prayers, and encouragement. 2010 was our biggest year yet for Warrior Camp, and God gets all the praise! We’re excited about the year ahead, and some new ministry opportunities that seem to be opening up. God does things big, and we want to faithfully be apart of that in this new year.
Stay connected, and I hope you’re off to a great start to 2011!
All for Him,
Derek
Isaiah 40:28-31
From: Spokane, Washington
Hello WARRIOR NATION! I hope you're doing well and enjoying a great start to the new year.
First, I wanted to let you know that this last weekend marked the Winter Retreat for the youth group at Cornerstone Church, in Spokane, Washington. Chris Pope, my friend and our Warrior Camp discipleship speaker, is the youth pastor there, and gave me the chance to participate and run games for their Winter Retreat at Chewelah Peak this year. (FYI: for me, running games at a God-centered event is like diving into a canyon of berry covered cheesecake :) There's some great stuff that could be said here, but the most important thing by far is that 6 students got saved! God is doing big things in that youth group, and He gets all the praise!
On another note, it has been a little while since we last talked, but I have 2 goals for this very special 1st kick-off update for 2011.
1. Keep it short(er) and sweet
2. Give you a quick snapshot of what’s new from 2010
Ready? Here we go…
-------
WARRIOR CAMP FEEDBACK . 2010
2010 marked the year in which Warrior Camp packed its bags and headed out for its East coast debut. We really welcome feedback from campers and their families, whether negative or positive. While we haven’t exactly done something like this before, what follows is a response from both an Idaho mom and a Virginia dad whose sons attended Warrior Camp in 2010. Both were kind enough to let us include their responses in this update. Feel free to check them out below.
---
From an Idaho Mom:
http://kristencheney.blogspot.com/2011/01/warrior-camp.html
---
From a Virginia Dad:
“Guys. Sammy and I went to Warrior Camp a week and a half ago. I'm still sore and Sam is still talking about it. Really, really good stuff! A day of field games, fireworks, blow-gun building, short historical and spiritual lessons, cooking over a fire, and wandering around in the woods with your son. Awesome! In addition, Jon Dupin, the pastor from Brentwood called out the dads (and a couple of granddads) and gave us a short, in your face kind of challenge about what dads are called to do and be...
There is a bunch here and I could go on and on but I want you to know that it changed me and created one super day filled with memories and lessons for Sam and me-one of those days that will never be forgotten. You know how they say your life flashes back in front of you just before you kick the bucket? Yeah, Warrior Camp will be one of those pictures for me.
Warrior Camp is a Christian based program put together by a guy from Idaho named Derek Bartlow. He is copied on this e. This was the first camp east of the Mississippi. Derek is living here in the burg with some friends from Brentwood for the next few weeks. I would very much like for a couple or all of you guys to get together with him and let him tell you more about it and possibly offer this to the folks at Blue Ridge. Also, they are having another one (sponsored by a different church) on the 13th at David Dudley's farm off of Leesville Road for 6-8th grades.
There are many, many great things about this program but I will mention just this one more: uninvolved dads! Unfortunately, it seems that no matter what we do as a church we can't reach some of these guys-they won't have an All In life for themselves. But their sons, now that is another story. They will run the wheels off a minivan making sure their kids get all the sports, education, and social life they can. Warrior Camp is a way to reach these guys or at least take another crack at them from a different angle.
Derek says he can meet with us on Thursday or Friday around lunch and if that doesn't work there is a possibility of meeting with him between services on Sunday. Please hit "reply all" and let us know.”
Warrior!
John Doe
Lynchburg, Virginia
---
That’s all for now. Thanks to all the moms and dads who allow their sons to attend WARRIOR CAMP! Thank you also so much for your support, prayers, and encouragement. 2010 was our biggest year yet for Warrior Camp, and God gets all the praise! We’re excited about the year ahead, and some new ministry opportunities that seem to be opening up. God does things big, and we want to faithfully be apart of that in this new year.
Stay connected, and I hope you’re off to a great start to 2011!
All for Him,
Derek
Isaiah 40:28-31
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
WARRIOR CAMP UPDATE: 3 YEAR ANNIVERSARY!
September 8, 2010
From: Lynchburg, Virginia
INSIDE THIS SPECIAL UPDATE:
1. Blast from the Past
2. Enter the WARRIOR CAMP Speaker!
3. WARRIOR CAMP History 101
4. WARRIOR CAMP Fall Forecast
5. Thanks to Warrior Nation and Special WC Letter
6. Special WARRIOR CAMP Media Expo:
(Pics, Video, and 1st WC Slideshow)
HELLO WARRIOR NATION!
1. Blast from the Past
2. Enter the WARRIOR CAMP Speaker!
3. WARRIOR CAMP History 101
4. WARRIOR CAMP Fall Forecast
5. Thanks to Warrior Nation and Special WC Letter
6. Special WARRIOR CAMP Media Expo:
(Pics, Video, and 1st WC Slideshow)
HELLO WARRIOR NATION!
I hope you're having a great Fall!
Today is a special day for Warrior Camp, because exactly 3 years ago, with lots of prayer and hard work, we had the chance to see God take Warrior Camp from a cool vision to an undeniable and inspiring reality. I remember it like it just happened.
1. BLAST FROM THE PAST
3. WARRIOR CAMP HISTORY 101
Since this is a special 3 Year Anniversary Edition, I thought it might also be a fun time to push the rewind button a bit and track Warrior Camp from Day 1 through this Fall. Not that there's ever any confusion here, but God gets all the glory! So buckle up for the WARRIOR CAMP History 101:
Easter Weekend, 2005: God inspires the vision for Warrior Camp
Camp #2
Camp #3
Camp #4
I really hope you enjoyed this special 3 year Anniversary Update! On this day, I want to give everyone of you in Warrior Nation a special huge and heartfelt thank you for all your support, prayer, and encouragement over these last 3 years. I can't say that enough. I'm not going to sugar coat it. There have definitely been some speed bumps and challenges, but God is doing big things, and we're excited to be apart of what seems to be a growing momentum as we move ahead into this Fall season and Summer 2011. All of you in Warrior Nation are an invaluable part of that.
1. BLAST FROM THE PAST
But, at the time, it seemed like it almost didn't happen, due to some issues with location and scope. And then...a breakthrough from a youth pastor who was courageous enough to let his students be the first guinea pigs! Next: 2 weeks to promote and get ready. Pray hard and push the pedal down. Pray, plan, and prepare 24/7. Talk about a rat race, especially when you're really banking on a bunch of fun noodles and Walmart has conveniently decided that summer ended 3 weeks ago. Pray about that too. And then God provided an awesome Plan B. Wow. He's so good at that! Next: gear up for a full day of stellar games, and do it as a jobless college-grad on a spinster-tight budget. Ok. Not sure how we did it, but we did. Sometimes our less-than-ideal circumstances seem to attract God's provision, and in the end we had just what we needed. Nothing quite like the class of "God Provides 101". Next, a reminder from God: "Don't forget what this is all about. Prayerfully compose some hard-hitting discipleship that these boys really need and crave as young men." So we did. Three discipleship rallies spread throughout the day. "The Warriors of Judges." "How To Be A Good King." "What a Godly Girl Looks For." Ok. I think we're ready. "God, please bless this all for your glory."
And then the big debut! 17 boys, mostly in jr. high, rolled out of the church van to fully engaged in a sweaty 10-hour marathon of testosterone-packed games and of being challenged by stories of epic Bible heroes, on a grass field in southwest Idaho in early fall. (If you want to see some highlights from that same first Warrior Camp, feel free to check out the links at the bottom of this post). At the end of the day, we piled up some large stones commemorating the boy's commitments to God and our promises to pray for each other. Later that night, once the dust had settled, it was crystal clear: God had His fingerprints all over Warrior Camp. Nothing could have gone better. Young men had experienced an epic blast in an unapologetic Christian atmosphere. This was boyhood fantasy as God intended. Students had committed something to God and to pray for each other, including the shy kid who rarely ever opened up. Later on we found out one kid got saved! This was a God thing, and way bigger than us. I dropped off all the Warriors in the church van and they began to find their parents and head home. I stayed in the driver's seat of that church van, for I'm not sure how long, and basked in God's glory. The camp vision God had given me was now alive and real. There are no words for it. No feeling in the world like that. "God, you're amazing."
2. ENTER THE WARRIOR CAMP SPEAKER!
It's hard to believe, but that was 3 years ago today! God has stretched and shaped me along the journey, and since then, our team has expanded and grown in exciting ways. In this update, I'd like to do something new which we've never done. Chris Pope is one of my strong and trusted Christian friends who, for a slew of reasons that could fill volumes, I have asked to be our Warrior Camp Discipleship Speaker both last summer and this summer. That's not a role I fill lightly, but I'm 100% excited to have Chris on the team. Since you put up with me in every update, now is a great time to introduce you to one of the other key players on our team. He's agreed to jump in on this update and so, without further adieu, I'll turn it over to him. Welcome aboard Chris!
It's hard to believe, but that was 3 years ago today! God has stretched and shaped me along the journey, and since then, our team has expanded and grown in exciting ways. In this update, I'd like to do something new which we've never done. Chris Pope is one of my strong and trusted Christian friends who, for a slew of reasons that could fill volumes, I have asked to be our Warrior Camp Discipleship Speaker both last summer and this summer. That's not a role I fill lightly, but I'm 100% excited to have Chris on the team. Since you put up with me in every update, now is a great time to introduce you to one of the other key players on our team. He's agreed to jump in on this update and so, without further adieu, I'll turn it over to him. Welcome aboard Chris!
---
From Chris Pope to Warrior Nation:
Greetings from the Northwest! So many things have been happening in the life of Warrior Camp over the last few years since I have had the privilege to be a part of it.
This last summer two churches brought Warrior Camp to their doors. We traveled to Grandview, Washington and Nampa, Idaho. We were not prepared for the surprises that God had in store.
Many times I think that we can underestimate the faith of a child. No where in Scripture do you read that God wants His children to walk with a blind faith. He wants a child-like faith. He tells us in His word that He is the light of the world. He does not want us to stumble or trip, He wants to light our path.
I noticed the students this summer throwing the curtains open. Revealing the dust in their lives. Showing what needs to be cleaned. They boldly stood in front of their peers and announced what they wanted/needed freedom from. They dared their peers to hold them accountable. They learned what it meant to demonstrate a life of honor, courage, and commitment to God. We talked about living a life of integrity by making honorable choices. Students looked at the life of Daniel and his three friends who demonstrated courage. They studied what made Joshua determine that this day he and his family would serve the Lord.
Our students learn from us. If we want them to live a life of honor, courage, and commitment to God then they have to see it in us. We need to ask ourselves if we are setting them up for success or failure. There is a reason Christ called the little children to Him and rebuked those who would hinder them.
---
Thanks Chris! So true. Thanks for bringing some awesome God-talks this summer. Great to have you on the team.
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3. WARRIOR CAMP HISTORY 101
Since this is a special 3 Year Anniversary Edition, I thought it might also be a fun time to push the rewind button a bit and track Warrior Camp from Day 1 through this Fall. Not that there's ever any confusion here, but God gets all the glory! So buckle up for the WARRIOR CAMP History 101:
Easter Weekend, 2005: God inspires the vision for Warrior Camp
Camp #1
WARRIOR CAMP
Nampa, Idaho
Lake Lowell Park
September 8, 2007
Attendance: 17 boys
Age: Mostly Jr. High
The spark that started a fire = First WARRIOR CAMP ever. God gets all the credit! Thanks to Todd and all the Warriors for being brave guinea pigs! 10 hours in which the vision became alive. The debut for what would define WARRIOR CAMP. "Awesome Game Time. Awesome God Time". Almost no $ to work with, but God provides. Raft Relays, Highland Games, Weapon Workshop, and Sword Battles. Discipleship Rallies: "Mighty Men from Judges". "How to Be a Good King". "What a Godly girl wants". Prayer/Share/Rock Ceremony. (Guess which one was the favorite?) Also: First WARRIOR CAMP DVD and WARRIOR CAMP Pics are borne. Slowly but surely, the word begins to spread! Big thanks to our original team and original warriors! A fantastic day ending in amazing gratitude to and awe of God. One Warrior gets saved as a result!
The spark that started a fire = First WARRIOR CAMP ever. God gets all the credit! Thanks to Todd and all the Warriors for being brave guinea pigs! 10 hours in which the vision became alive. The debut for what would define WARRIOR CAMP. "Awesome Game Time. Awesome God Time". Almost no $ to work with, but God provides. Raft Relays, Highland Games, Weapon Workshop, and Sword Battles. Discipleship Rallies: "Mighty Men from Judges". "How to Be a Good King". "What a Godly girl wants". Prayer/Share/Rock Ceremony. (Guess which one was the favorite?) Also: First WARRIOR CAMP DVD and WARRIOR CAMP Pics are borne. Slowly but surely, the word begins to spread! Big thanks to our original team and original warriors! A fantastic day ending in amazing gratitude to and awe of God. One Warrior gets saved as a result!
Camp #2
WARRIOR CAMP
Grandview, Washington
Grandview Church of the Nazarene Field
July 10, 2009
Attendance: 24 boys
Age: grades 4-7
Sophomore Event! Hitting the road and going out of state for our first non-home-church invite, and furthest distance ever travelled for WARRIOR CAMP. The Warriors made the front page! Also new: Games, Discipleship Rallies: "Dare to Be a Daniel", Knighthood Ceremony, Weapon Workshop: Blow Guns, new Discipleship Speaker dedicated exclusively to the Discipleship Rallies, Expanded Team, 1st WARRIOR CAMP T-shirts.
Sophomore Event! Hitting the road and going out of state for our first non-home-church invite, and furthest distance ever travelled for WARRIOR CAMP. The Warriors made the front page! Also new: Games, Discipleship Rallies: "Dare to Be a Daniel", Knighthood Ceremony, Weapon Workshop: Blow Guns, new Discipleship Speaker dedicated exclusively to the Discipleship Rallies, Expanded Team, 1st WARRIOR CAMP T-shirts.
Camp #3
WARRIOR CAMP
Grandview, Washington
Grandview Church of the Nazarene Field
July 17, 2010
Attendance: 33 boys
Age: grades 3-6
First 2nd invite. Woohoo! Biggest Warrior turnout ever. Warriors made it into "The Daily Sun" and "The Grandview Herald" 3 combined times. We're proud of you Washington Warriors! Thanks so much for having us back. Other 1sts: New Games and Discipleship Rallies: "Honor. Courage. Commitment to God." Monument Ceremony in which every Warrior voluntarily made some kind of commitment to God = so awesome to see! WARRIOR CAMP Obstacle Course (aka "The Crucible"), Warrior Camp Dog Tags, Group Photo, Official Photo Slideshow, 2nd WARRIOR CAMP T-shirt, and Sunday morning service show-and-tell. Thanks a ton Grandview! We love you all, and will see you next Summer!
First 2nd invite. Woohoo! Biggest Warrior turnout ever. Warriors made it into "The Daily Sun" and "The Grandview Herald" 3 combined times. We're proud of you Washington Warriors! Thanks so much for having us back. Other 1sts: New Games and Discipleship Rallies: "Honor. Courage. Commitment to God." Monument Ceremony in which every Warrior voluntarily made some kind of commitment to God = so awesome to see! WARRIOR CAMP Obstacle Course (aka "The Crucible"), Warrior Camp Dog Tags, Group Photo, Official Photo Slideshow, 2nd WARRIOR CAMP T-shirt, and Sunday morning service show-and-tell. Thanks a ton Grandview! We love you all, and will see you next Summer!
Camp #4
WARRIOR CAMP
Nampa, Idaho
Bethel Church of the Nazarene Field
July 31, 2010
Attendance: 25 boys
Age: Grades 4-7
(Note: We were praying for 25 boys. Praise God!)
Back on the Stomping Grounds! First WARRIOR CAMP back in Idaho in almost 3 years. For some of our Warriors, they got to experience WARRIOR CAMP like their older brothers had done in 2007. Final discipleship rally in which 24 Warriors voluntarily made some kind of commitment to God! = awesome. It was great to bring WARRIOR CAMP back home where it all began! This also capped off our first "double-header" summer in which we had 2 WARRIOR CAMPS. You Idaho Warriors are awesome, and we're looking forward to seeing you again next Summer!
Back on the Stomping Grounds! First WARRIOR CAMP back in Idaho in almost 3 years. For some of our Warriors, they got to experience WARRIOR CAMP like their older brothers had done in 2007. Final discipleship rally in which 24 Warriors voluntarily made some kind of commitment to God! = awesome. It was great to bring WARRIOR CAMP back home where it all began! This also capped off our first "double-header" summer in which we had 2 WARRIOR CAMPS. You Idaho Warriors are awesome, and we're looking forward to seeing you again next Summer!
(Total WARRIOR CAMP Attendance to Date: 99)
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4. WARRIOR CAMP 2010 FALL FORECAST (GOD WILLING):
4. WARRIOR CAMP 2010 FALL FORECAST (GOD WILLING):
Fall Season . Every Week . Warrior Club . Lynchburg, VA . OBIC Farm . September - November
September 18, 2010 . Warrior's Birthday Party Bash . Lynchburg, VA . OBIC Farm . 11:00am - 3:15pm
October 23, 2010 . Brentwood Church Father/Son Warrior Camp Event . Lynchburg, VA . OBIC Farm
Other WARRIOR CAMP Events: TBA
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5. THANKS TO WARRIOR NATION AND SPECIAL WC LETTER
5. THANKS TO WARRIOR NATION AND SPECIAL WC LETTER
I really hope you enjoyed this special 3 year Anniversary Update! On this day, I want to give everyone of you in Warrior Nation a special huge and heartfelt thank you for all your support, prayer, and encouragement over these last 3 years. I can't say that enough. I'm not going to sugar coat it. There have definitely been some speed bumps and challenges, but God is doing big things, and we're excited to be apart of what seems to be a growing momentum as we move ahead into this Fall season and Summer 2011. All of you in Warrior Nation are an invaluable part of that.
As promised, I've included the links to pics and game highlights from our very first Warrior Camp below. I hope you enjoy them! I've also included a link to our New-This-Summer Warrior Camp Photo Slideshow...with music! Brent (one of our die-hard media wizards) definitely gets a big high-five here for burning the midnight oil on Saturday night after Warrior Camp to get this ready for the Sunday morning service the very next day. It's the first media production of its kind for Warrior Camp, and as of today, has been posted to YouTube. I've included the link below. Hope you enjoy it! Great job Brent! We're blessed to have you on the team.
Thanks again Warrior Nation! You're the best.
Have a great Fall and God bless,
Derek
PS: If you want to check it out, there's a description of what the Warriors did this summer which we sent to the parents of WARRIOR CAMP: IDAHO. You can check it out via our August blog post under "SPECIAL LETTER" or by clicking here. If you have any questions you'd like us to tackle in our next update, feel free to let us know at warriorcamp1@yahoo.com. Maybe yours will be picked!
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6. SPECIAL WARRIOR CAMP MEDIA EXPO
WARNING: This is a Special WARRIOR CAMP Media Expo: 3 Year Anniversary Edition! (If you experience excessive laughter, an uncontainable amount of joy, side aches or facial tension from viewing this media, please feel free to take a break before resuming).
6. SPECIAL WARRIOR CAMP MEDIA EXPO
WARNING: This is a Special WARRIOR CAMP Media Expo: 3 Year Anniversary Edition! (If you experience excessive laughter, an uncontainable amount of joy, side aches or facial tension from viewing this media, please feel free to take a break before resuming).
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1st WARRIOR CAMP Ever!
Highlight Pics
September 8, 2007
Courtesy of: Jaden, Warrior Camp Media Wizard
Slideshow View:
Manual View:
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1st WARRIOR CAMP Ever!
Game Highlights Video
September 8, 2007
Courtesy of: Jaden, Warrior Camp Media Wizard
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WARRIOR CAMP
1st Official WC Photo Slideshow
July 17, 2010
Grandview, Washington
Courtesy of: Brent, Warrior Camp Media Wizard
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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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Saturday, August 21, 2010
WARRIOR CAMP UPDATE . 8-21-10
August 21, 2010
From: Nampa, Idaho
Hello Warrior Nation!
I hope you’re having a great summer wherever you are. Unlike our last update (which probably set a Guinness Record for length) this one will definitely win gold for read-speed. We’re stoked about what God has been doing this summer, and will fully unpack everything in our next update. But for now, believe it or not, I’m actually going to try and break the mold and keep this one short and sweet. (Yeah, I know you’re thinking “Prove it”). Ok. Here goes :)
We’ve never done something quite like this before, but since a picture is worth a thousand words, I’m about to just give you the pics below and let them do the talking. So, without further delay, I hope you enjoy the 2010 Warrior Camp Photo Marathon.
Have a great rest of your summer, and God bless,
Derek
PS: If you want to check it out, I’ve also posted our most recent video link below.
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WARRIOR CAMP: Grandview, Washington
July 17, 2010
Photo Slideshow View:
http://s242.photobucket.com/albums/ff194/warriorcamp1/Grandview%202010/?albumview=slideshow
Manual View:
http://s242.photobucket.com/albums/ff194/warriorcamp1/Grandview%202010/
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WARRIOR CAMP: Nampa, Idaho
July 31, 2010
Photo Slideshow View:
Manual View:
http://s242.photobucket.com/albums/ff194/warriorcamp1/Nampa%202010/
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Warrior Camp Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hRs87THFd0Q
Props to Dave, Diana, OBIC, and Peter (aka "Randolph") for all your help!
Props to Dave, Diana, OBIC, and Peter (aka "Randolph") for all your help!
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