2019 Buddies and Staff

The RFK Camp 2019 Idaho Team 

Video photo Album of the RFK 2019 Buddies and Staff

Day Five - The Good Shepherd's Rescue

Sheepfold Drama Team 

We had our final act of the Sheepfold drama. As mentioned yesterday, Bronco (far right in the photo) is tricked by the wolf into joining the wolf for dinner, not knowing she's the main course.  Just when there seems no escape for Bronco, the wolf hatches a new plan.  With the Good Shepherd searching for Bronco, the wolf realizes the rest of the flock will be unguarded.The wolf coerces Bronco into leading and introducing him to the rest of the flock.  Things turn from bad to worse when the wolf is on the verge of making one of the sheep, Moi, his next meal.   All seems lost until the Good Shepherd returns and rescues the flock from the wolf's clutches. Throughout the drama we learn that going our own way and ignoring the words of the Good Shepherd lead to disaster. Returning to him and the sheepfold means a return to protection and peace. 

We ended camp with a Welcome Home presentation for the children's care givers. This year the kids sang O My Shepherd and Jesus' Love and they did really well.  We had a great week with kids and looking forward to next year's camp.

Day Four- Icy Waters, Rain, Pomp and Circumstance

Buddies and staff prepare for the Polar Bear swim 

It's long been a tradition to take the Polar plunge early Thursday morning. Campers, buddies, and staff brave the cold water to gain the coveted title of Polar Bear. This is accomplished by diving in from the far end of the swimming area and then swimming to the sandy beach.  If full on immersion in the cold water is not your thing, the Penguin award can be achieved by wading into the water up to the knees and then back to the beach. 

Today we saw a little bit of everything in terms of weather.  We experienced sunshine, rain, and a sprinkling of snow. Regardless of the weather conditions, campers and buddies can be counted on to have fun. The camp has Rainy Day kits that can be used to learn and have fun. 

During the drama today, the sheep escaped the fold and headed out into the unknown thinking they will find adventures and fun.  One of the lambs, Bronco, sets off on her own enticed by the promise of green succulent grass. What Bronco finds instead is a wolf in sheep's clothing. Bronco takes the wolf at face value and is easily tricked into accompanying the wolf, into the wolf's den. Is it curtains for Bronco? We're going to find out in tomorrow final installment of the Sheepfold drama.  

RFK Graduates' medal 

We rounded out the day with our graduation ceremony.  Graduates are campers who will be over 12 years of age at our next camp.  Each graduate received a Bible, grad tee-shirt and a medal.  It is difficult to say good-bye to our graduating campers. We pray that the Lord will watch over them in the up and coming years and we hope that they've enjoyed their time at camp. 

Day Three - Birthday Bash, Sailing, And More

Some of today's teaching included the story of David and Goliath, the giant.  In this story we read that although David was a small boy, he was able to face the giant and with God's help defeat him.  Campers, buddies and staff members can face giant problems in our lives. We learned that with Jesus supporting us, we can face those giant issues head on. 

Goliath was described as being nearly 10 ft tall

Puppet stage sheep decorations 

This year's camp is centered around the Good Shepherd. Matthew 18 and John 10, speak of the Good Shepherd who will seek out one lost sheep.  In other passages we read that the sheep know the Shepherd's voice and follow him. We see this concept reinforced  in the object lessons as well as this year's drama. We all can  feel comforted that we can call on Jesus and ask for his help.

Sheepfold stage for the drama

No Idaho sheep camp would be complete without a
trusty sheepdog 

Campers were able to take a sailboat ride
around the lake

Today was our Birthday party for all of the campers. This has been a tradition of our camp for years.  Birthday gift bags filled with presents are distributed to each camper. Campers receive their gift bag when they are called to the front based on their birth month. When  all are center stage,  the rest of the campers  sing the "Happy Birthday" song to them.  We work our way from January to December.  Once everyone has their gift bag, they head out to the lawn to open their presents and see what they've received.   A Birthday cupcake is a part of dinner as well.

Rounding out the day is our Give It a Go Show. The Give it a Go Show  resembles America's Got Talent without judging the acts and Simon Cowell.  In fact each camper is encourage to choose something they can share and feel safe doing so, regardless of how off-beat it might be.   Many campers, sang, dance, told jokes, played the piano, or sang songs they wrote.  Along with the more traditional  acts were ones like the one where each contestant competes to see how many chips and hot sauce they could could eat in one minute.  Any act is good in our books. 

With this much activity in one day, our campers are likely to be tired and will get a good night's rest. 

Day Two - Super Heroes Compete

One of the big draws at camp is the archery range. Campers learn from archery Instructor Lee, about archery safety, holding and sighting a bow, and hitting the bulls-eye. With the help of Lee and their buddy, campers were hitting the targets in no time.

Instructor Lee demonstrates how to shoot a bow and arrow

Now it's the campers' turn

Holding a fish isn't as easy as it looks

Fishing continues to be a big hit with campers. They continue to reel in the fish throughout activity time. Apparently some campers believe that it's their job to catch the fish and their buddies' job to hold the fish for the the picture.

Fill a bucket with sponge and water 

Tonight was the night for our Super Hero competition. A cross between the Olympics and the reality show Survivor, campers wear their super hero costumes, made by them with some help from their buddies, and compete in obstacle course like stations built around the campground.

Unlike the Olympics and Survivor, everyone wins at the conclusion of our games.  Each camper is inducted into our camp family with the awarding of their own  purple cape.

Relay Race with paddle and ball

RFK Boise's version of volleyball 

This buddy decided to add his face to the
collection of villains for the wet sponge
ring toss 

Styrofoam flying course 

Time to hang our capes and head to bed. More fun is in store for tomorrow. 

Day One - Fish On

Buddies waiting for the arrival of the campers

This year the RFK Boise camp  is pleased to be hosting one of its all-time largest camps.  It now takes two Greyhound buses to transport our group of campers.  Welcome signs were made and the red carpet was rolled out in eager anticipation of the campers’ arrival.

Welcome signs are a work of art 

                                                               

                                                                    

Once the bus arrived and the campers had their lunch, it was off  to the activity center. The campers got their first crack at the fishing pond, and they were not disappointed. Fish were practically jumping on to the hooks, as the campers reeled them in.

Buddy and camper relaxing while fishing

The big one that didn't get away

The camp artists were in full swing as well taking advantage of the spin art booth, woodworking and face painting. 

Start of the Iron Man face painting 

Adding flowers 

Don't look I want it to be a surprise

Building in the workshop

                                       Just a Little More Paint to Make This Spin Art Painting Perfect 

Many Masterpieces were created today.

Bedtime Story for the Campers 

Each night, the camp grandpa and grandma read a bedtime story to the campers. This year’s book is Bob the Bird, a book base on Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 6:25-26. Although life can be difficult, all creatures can live in the reality of God’s love. The children look forward to hearing from grandpa and grandma each night as they wind down the day. Time to get some rest, we have a big day ahead of us tomorrow. 

RFK 2019 Camp Is Almost Here

It won’t be long until RFK’s Boise camp will be underway. Preparations are almost complete, and we’re excited to meet our campers and share a week of fun with them. This year we have the return of the camp drama Sheepfold.  This a story of a flock of lambs who are tempted to be led astray by the wolf. If it weren’t for the good shepherd, all will be lost. Be sure to check our blog to get daily updates on the what’s happening with our little flock as well as all the fun the campers and buddies are having at camp.