Camp Buckeye 2009 is over and done. It was time well spent according to the youngest members of the Beechy family.

Clay found his first year at camp to be lots of fun mixed with a bit of homesickness. All in all he had a great camp experience and can't wait for next year! My note-to-self for next year says "don't just send bug spray along make SURE he knows how to use it!" His favorite activity for the week was "Sponge Wars" ("Star Wars") a game involving wet sponges and hot little boys. Too much fun!

Megan was in her last year of eligibility for this particular week of camp. She was a "senior" member of the campers for the week, that's big stuff when you're 11! This was the first year her friend Bethy attended; they were in the same cabin and had a GREAT time! Nerd night, baking and decorating cakes, as well as sleeping in the new tree house were at the top of her list of favorites.

I asked the three Camp Buckeye alumni's in our household what their favorite camp memory was.

Emily is 15; it's been four years since her last Camp Buckeye experience. She couldn't pin-point any one memory but simply remembers loving the whole experience. From the "Polar Bear" swims, to the hike to the water falls. It was an adventure she looked forward to every summer.

Krista, 21, remembers falling out of her bunk (of course she chose the top bunk every year) in her sleep and having a swollen black and blue eye for the week. When it happened they asked her if she wanted to go home and she quickly answered NO! A little accident like that was not going to keep her from the Camp Buckeye adventure!

Leah, 23, has fond memories of falling in love for the very first time at Camp Buckeye. (When I said "oh yes, your first crush" she promptly corrected me "no Mom, it was LOVE!" =) I remember that year distinctly, she came home with stars in her eyes.

They would always come home with dirty laundry, mosquito bites, sleepy eyes, and exciting stories. Fun memories of campfires, nerd nights, a lot of swimming, hiking, and a few pranks mixed in for some variety. They always had new worship songs to sing, Bible verses that jumped out at them to share, and crafts made diligently for their favorite mama.

And they always talked about "next year". This year is no different.

The 2009 camp marked Camp Buckeye's 25^th anniversary! To Nate, Vi, and the rest of the Grass Roots Ministry gang: thanks for a job well done and for your faithfulness to continue to provide a Christ filled camping opportunity to our young people and future generations!

Until next time.
Beth

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