Our Outdoor Education week

Thank you for praying for our week of Outdoor Education. This year’s emphasis was “Into the Great”—a Great Follower of a Great God.

Monday the students arrived at an ocean adventure park. They were able to see some shows with dolphins and sea lions and a few other shows. They learned about different ocean life (fish and mammals) and saw some ocean life in aquariums. After the shows, we traveled to our main camp. They had a chapel speaker that night as well as each night of the week at the different sites. They finished with some fun activities before heading off to bed.

Tuesday through Thursday, the kids went different directions. They were divided into three traveling groups. One group went to the

JEST camp. (JEST stands for Jungle Environmental Survival Training.) Guides showed them various things from the jungle, how to get water out of vines, leaves that have healing properties, as well as how to make pots and utensils out of bamboo. They cooked their meal over the fire in their bamboo “pots.” The next morning, they hiked out, then changed their gear to go to the beach.

At the beach, the kids learned about sea turtles. They went to a turtle conservation place that would gather and protect sea turtle eggs. The kids got to study about the turtles, learn about protecting them and then in the evening, release the turtles to the ocean (the turtles had to walk about 15

feet on the beach so they would remember where they were hatched to return years later). The kids also learned about mangrove trees and planted a seedling. They slept on the beach and returned to camp the next day.

At the main camp, the students prepared for ministering at three different schools and then traveled to them. They sang songs and one of the leaders shared the gospel in Filipino. The kids were given gospel bracelets and explained the meaning of the colors and then gave the kids each one. Each

squad also prepared an activity to do with the kids. Back at camp, they had a rotation of making a craft, having time in devotions, and doing team-bonding activities.

Friday we packed up all the supplies from the different sites and loaded the buses. Some of our buses were late arriving so we didn’t leave as soon as we wanted. Also, one of the buses started smoking so they had to stop. Firemen arrived to assure their safety and then entertained the kids, teaching them fire safety until their replacement bus came.

My job as camp nurse wasn’t too busy. A few kids were getting some stomach bug, but were able to continue with the activities. Walter kept busy the week after Outdoor Ed, submitting all of the receipts and cash and balancing the books, keeping track of everything on a spreadsheet.

We finish this quarter next week. We look forward to a week break before our final quarter. It is always hard as hot season will be upon us and many will be tired. Pray we will finish strong. It is a very busy quarter.

Thank you for praying,

Cheryl