Day 2: Hanging out with the Jonas Family

We met Kayta, Russell, and Alex at 10:30am at the Intrepid. We explored the submarine, space shuttle, Spanish Navy Ship "Juan Sebastian De Elcano", and aircraft carrier. We rushed to see "Peter Pan Goes Wrong" at 2pm. We scarfed down a quick snack before the hilarious show. I laughed so hard my face hurt! The kids all loved it. We went to Sardis for a real meal after the play. After Sardis, we said good-bye to our friends to head back to the hotel for quick naps before the 8pm "Little Shop of Horrors". Colton volunteered as tribute to be fed to the plant, but we were thankful that wasn't necessary. A final stop at Carlo's bakery for late night treats and then off to bed after a full day.

Day 1: Hello New York

We were bummed that our flight was delayed just enough that we couldn't catch a show on Friday evening in New York. To make sure we got tickets for the next day, Colton and Grant jumped out of the cap on the way to the hotel and RAN 6 blocks to the tkts booth to buy tickets right before they closed at 8pm. They succeeded! They even got a few selfies of Colton's first time ever in Times Square. Even though we couldn't catch a show, we very much enjoyed New York pizza for dinner, a late-night top view double-decker bus tour, and late night treats at Juniors. I had never done the night bus tour in New York and the weather was perfect. We were all a bit tired, but excited to explore the city. Grant got us nice, connecting rooms at the Hilton Garden Times Square and we all slept great.

Colton - Cabin 9 Booker T

Ranger told Colton he would really like Booker T because of the lobby area with couches and Ranger was right. Colton enjoyed getting to wait inside versus on the front porch when they had to kill time. Thomas went to camp the same week again this year and the boys were bunk mates. It sounds like they had a great time together.

Colton's favorite counselor was Casen because he was so nice. He was also Colton's Bible Study Leader. Colton's enjoyed betting blobbed by a girl counselor and he still likes the zip lines. His counselor told us he had the whole cabin rolling with laughter during talent show night when he burbed the full alphabet. We are so proud!

Colton received the "Aspiration" aware. Grant joked and asked if he was receiving the "Aspiration" award or the "Perspiration" award. The counselor was witty and responded, probably both. The award reads, "Colton, We were so excited to have you with us this week. Now we're sad to see you leave us. Hopefully you had fun learning and playing. We gave you the Aspiration award for your desire to not only have fun but be involved. For Bible study you raised your hand for every question and asked a lot of great questions yourself. We hope your desire for the word continues as you grow up. We are always here to support you. Come back next year we hope to see you!!! Philippians 4:8" Cason Yates, Sean Anderson, Christian Smith, Caleb Olgin

What a great year "Into the Canopy!"

Jack Ranger - Cabin 29 Wilberforce

Jack Ranger's favorite activities at camp this year were rock climbing, Mission Impossible - they won (small rumor they cheated which JR denies), and blobbing. 

JR was excited to have a counselor that he also had last year - Matthew Krebs. Matthew recognized him right away at drop off and was excited to have Ranger in his cabin again. Ranger said Matthew was super nice!

Ranger received the Humility award which reads, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5

Ranger, its been so much fun having you in the cabin this week! We are giving you the humility award because we saw you exemplify characteristics that pointed straight to Christ! Even though He was God, He didn't consider equality with God as something to take advantage of. This week we saw your awesomeness on display, but it was always followed up by an intentional humbleness and kindness. Tat's humility, we felt so encouraged by all the ways you loved others and are so confident in you as you go out and take this into the world! We love you man!" ~ Alexander Marlouis (Proverbs 3:5-6), Sam Snyder, Luke Bowman, Matthew Krebs (Romans 10:9-10)

Cadie in Quest - Cabin 35 SoJo

Cadie got home yesterday exhausted and, relatively, happy. Since her's is the first blog, I am going to add the family drop-off and pick-up pictures here. We spent Saturday evening at the farm with the Ryan family and then all headed to drop-off on Sunday afternoon. We were dropping off all three kids, and Billie and Greg dropped off Maddox for Quest Colorado and Brayden for camp in Van. 

When we picked the kids up, we went to the farm for a few hours, and then I headed back to Dallas with the three kids so Cadie could have a night at home before going back out to the farm with DD, Grandma Charlotte and DD. All three kids were sound asleep by the time we got back to Dallas.

Even though Cadie was hesitant about camp this year, I see her real smile in many of the pictures and when we picked her up she said she might consider going to Quest Colorado. I consider this a huge win!

Cadie received the "Adaptable" award which reads, "Cadie! It was such an honor + gift to have you in SoJo this summer! I loved getting to know you + your heart for the Lord. It was super cool to observe your adaptability to certain situations this week! You got to know people, + make them feel so seen + loved, + truly meet them where they were at. That comes from an ability to see situations as opportunities for you to adapt to how others feel included + loved no matter what. It was cool to watch you adapt to camp in general but also in your friendships. You remind me of Jesus in your willingness to go with the flow! I Peter 1:22! SoJo loves you! ~ Hope, Kat, Jewel, Katelyn