Spring Reflections.

Where did Spring go?

Outdoor Ed is over, summer staff are here, and the Cruise Across Camp 5K happened almost a month ago!

Outdoor Ed highlights
Outdoor Ed went great this year.  A total of nine camps of came during April and May, ranging from fifth graders to seventh graders. Some of you may be wondering, "What happens during Outdoor Ed?"

Here is a list of classes included in a typical camp:

• Tracks & Traits / Skins & Scales
• Edible Plants
• Meteorology
• Pond Study
• Night Hike
• Astronomy
• Yucca Rope Making
• Shelter Building
• Team Building exercises
• Hiking various trails in the National Forest
• Adventure Activities (Leap of Faith, high ropes, zipline, rock climbing, canoeing)

Every night includes an evening program at our Firecircle amphitheater, with worship time and a presentation by a speaker. One of the highlights of this past season was when Grizz, a Native American who comes and speaks during a couple of the camps, gave his presentation. Grizz entertains with Native American singing and dancing and a few stories.  Then he shares his story of how He came to know Jesus, and gives an open invitation to anyone who wants to be transformed by Jesus' love. One of the nights, seven people came forward in response to his invitation, including several fathers (chaperons).  Later, Jared had the chance to talk to one of the dads who had come forward.  He had been deeply impacted by his camp experience at The Oaks, and had felt God working in his heart all week.

Isn't that just how God works? The focus of our Outdoor Ed programs is on the kids, but God used us to teach the parents too. Never assume you know who you are ministering to; God could have a completely different idea in mind. His ways are so much higher than ours.

Grizz during his Firecircle presentation

Jared leading a team building session during an Outdoor Ed camp

Outdoor Ed campers during Skins & Scales class

some "helpers" during the Skins & Scales class

Cruise Across Camp update
The first annual Cruise Across Camp 5K was a huge blessing. This event was a fundraiser for our Leaders in Training program, and we raised almost $12,000.  We ended up with 115 participants and about 35 volunteers (pretty good, we think, for our first year).   We heard from many participants that the course was challenging (it includes a 1/3 mile uphill trail gaining 500 feet in elevation) but the views at the top were totally worth it! Since I love running and cannot imagine life without it, it was hard to be on the sidelines that day...but seeing this whole thing come together was so much fun.

A huge highlight of this event was having twenty fifth graders participate from World Impact's school in South Central Los Angeles.  Two of their teachers (who have both served on summer staff here at The Oaks) motivated and trained these inner-city students diligently for a couple of months.  They all finished, with a couple of the boys coming in fourth and fifth place overall!  Participating in this event was a massive accomplishment and ego-booster for these sweet kids.  One of the teachers (a runner who recently finished her first marathon) said, "Watching my kids cross that finish line sprinting may have been even better than crossing the LA marathon back in March."

Thank you so much to those of you who supported this event.  Your support is providing some really special teens with a life-changing opportunity.  I would like to especially thank these people who sponsored me in my virtual participation: Kris Meidal, Grant Meidal, Tami Miller, Jennifer Lee, Wendy Langhans, Don & Cindi Fluke, Tom & Donna Miller, Amy Tanner, Denny & Judy Daniels, Sonya Svoboda, Jared & Lesley Placeway, Jesse & Gladys Deloe, and Chip & Jessie Mattis.

Next year's date is May 11, 2013! Mark you calendars if you are local. We are hoping for 300 participants next year!

the starting line of the 5K

first mile of the 5K.

students and leaders from World Impact's LA Christian school.

Foster-adopt update
We are officially certified to be foster parents through the Children's Bureau! Last week, we met with a matching social worker, and now we await a placement.  Our original thought was to to wait until after the summer to be placed, because of our busy schedule during the summer, but recently we have felt God's leading to be open to calls this summer.  We are trusting His sovereignty and wisdom in whatever circumstances surround the child we will receive. Please pray that each member of our family will be prepared to rely on God more than ever as we plunge into the tumultuous waves of the foster care system.

Micah and Joey in their cute pajamas from Grandma and Grandpa.

Micah and Joey on our most recent family beach retreat.

Micah and Joey on their first wilderness campout! Gotta love dirt!

Please pray for the upcoming summer season!

June 16-22:             Summer staff training at World Impact Fresno
June 25-July 2:        On-site summer staff training
July 3-July 6:           1st-3rd grade inner city camps
July 8-13:                4th-6th grade inner-city camps
July 15-20:              4th-6th grade inner-city camps
July 22-27:              Junior high inner-city camps
July 29-August 3:    Senior high inner-city camp, Los Angeles urban Joni & Friends family retreat
August 10-12:         World Impact Family Camp

August 17-19:         World Impact Family Camp

September 1-3:       World Impact Family Camp