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gmasashi |
What you think?? |
Lead | |
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Use this area to post your input about Reach Ministries. What were some of the things you enjoyed, what the Lord did during the week of camp, how a staff person helped you out. Good, bad, input for us as staff. Let us know, and let others get a picture of what workcamp is all about.
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Unregistered(d) |
camp reflections | ||
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The first year I went to workcamp Theresa (New Bloomfield) led the group reflections. She was terrific. A blending a kid-friendly/spiritual. And the talent show was a mix of spiritual/fun/cool stuff. And I loved the music - up on a mountain theme. And the "Saddle up let's go" inspiring songs that kicked us out to the day's work! After workcamp I immediately went out and purchased the cd from the store. We played it over and over and immediately you were transported to Gram's house working on a roof, or a door or a wall, etc. It was so spirit-filled! It was truly amazing!
The next year the team picked a mix that was a bit heavier Christian/less fun (?) evening devotions. But, the talent show was almost 100% devotional type stuff. And the music just never seemed to click with me. I still can't tell you the theme song of that camp. Although, I can remember the wonderful skits performed by your terrific workcamp staff! But I think workcamp is so successful and reaches so many of the high schoolers because it hits them where they live. And I feel that a better mix of spiritual/fun night would a great memory. I don't remember any "just for the fun of it" skits. Having shared all this! I want you to realize that I know that you cannot please everyone and things that didn't hit me might have blown the doors off of the kid/chaperone sitting next to me! I just thought you might like some feedback. I want you to know that as a chaperone - I absolutely love workcamp and plan to attend until I am at least 90! Your red shirts are unbelievable at their ability to help others. And way to go Work Camp Staff - Your dedication speaks volumes to the world that gets to share in your God-given talents. You are such a gift to the residents and workcampers that are preparing for this summer's camps. You compasion and hardwork is outstanding! I don't think that people realize how long or hard your days are! When we were still up at midnight (you were too!) and then being at morning devotions at 5 am with a smile on your face is amazing! Good luck in your planning! Have a great day - I can't wait for workcamp - because everyday is a great day at workcamp! Much love and God blessings to you, D |
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Unregistered(d) |
New Camp Suggestions... | ||
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Earlier this year I received an email about the new locations where you were thinking about holding a workcamp. I unfortunately wasn't able to respond to that email so I thought I would post something here. This year I have been on the road as a traveling missionary and I have met lots of people from lots of different places. One person I met who is very close to me has told me about North Dakota her home state. North Dakota is struggling. She informed me about all the flooding that goes on there and how there are towns that are still trying to recover from the major flood 3 years ago. I asked if the government helped with relief at all and she said that they paid some money to help but wasn't near the amount that was needed to fix it. I know that North Dakota wasn't on your list of new locations but I thought I would put it out there as a possibility. The whole state is in need and thought that it would be a good place for a workcamp!
God Bless ><> NalaLenor :-) |
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pcrichar |
Re: New Camp Suggestions... | ||
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Megan,
We are constantly looking for new locations to host Reach workcamps. The main needs we have are a host school, a local contact person, and housing needs. Mike Jones is the "main man" when it comes to setting up future camps, so if anyone feels a location can meet these needs, go ahead and email him at: mjones@reachwc.org It is very tough to go into a new area "cold turkey", so that is why veteran youth groups are a big help for us finding new locations. Hope this helps you see a little "behind-the-scenes" at Reach Ministries. Drop Mike a line and maybe it will be due to your email that 50 or 60 homes are worked on in North Dakota. Paul Richardson Director of Workcamps Reach Ministries Int'l |
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Unregistered(d) |
my first workcamp experience | ||
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Hey! I just got back from my first Reach Workcamp up in Niagara Falls, New York! It was awesome. Not only was i blessed with a great crew, i had a great resident and the program in itself really helped me grow closer to God. All of the Staffers were great, with so much energy. Throughout the week i confronted some of my inner most feelings and i know now that its alright to cry, because God can't help you if you don't let him. All in all, Reach was great and i cant wait to go next year!
God Bless You ~StephanieAnne |
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Unregistered(d) |
Dude. | ||
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It would seem to me you could make a decent amount of money off a "best of wake up" mix cd. I know I would buy it. I'd put it in my alarm clock at home. it'd be like reach everyday. then EVERY day could be a great day for a workcamp!
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Unregistered(d) |
Re: Lacey? | ||
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Hey folks. I think there could be an issue with making money off of selling other people's songs. The random collection of morning wakeup stuff includes some wacky things that may be hard to track down to get permission to use. I don't know any of this officially, just my opinion.
Ye ole' sound guy Chuck |
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Unregistered(d) |
Skits | ||
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Hey i was thinking it would be neat if the kids got to be in the skits at night. Have like a play team that does all the skits for the evening programs.
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pcrichar |
Re: Skits | ||
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I appreciate the suggestion, but there is a little too much planning that goes into each nightly drama. Our staff trains in Colorado for two weeks to learn their lines, cues, and placements on the stage. That would be a little too much to teach a group of campers each night. We do have the talent show on Wednesday night of every camp so the workcampers get their chance to strut their stuff.
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Unregistered(d) |
opinion | ||
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I just want to say that I think that the skits and devos are getting more and more extreamist. I'm not an athiest, but I am not extreamely religious- just I the middle. I go to workcamp because I like meeting new people and just helping people out during a hard time. I love workcamp, but if it continues to get more extreame- like that very moving, but graphic, movie of Jesus's crucifiction- I may stop comming.
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Andyroomb |
Re: Skits | ||
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In my personal opinion it is the power of the skits and devos that makes REACH more than just a workcamp. I realize that we're coming at this from two completely different angles, but could it be that what one person may think is extreme is exactly what another is expecting? I'm pretty sure that if the skits and devos weren't hitting the the target that I believe they were aimed at I would not come. Just some food for thought!
Andrew |
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hmpbm |
Re: opinion | ||
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I believe Jesus was an extreamest that had to do some outragesous things to draw attention, to get people to listen, to take them from a comfort zone and it sounds like he may have done it again. I personally hope REACH digs deeper. That is my opinion and I hope you respect mine as I do yours. We all worship differently but it is how we decifer them meaning and how we use what we learn that makes a differance. God siad we need to take his word out to a hurting world and honestly, what we do for these people is just that but as the week goes by, the campers get tired and need reminding of the purpose for which God allowed them to attend.
God Bless you and I hope this makes some kind of sense. |
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Pamarama |
Re: you thought you were rid of me... | ||
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Well I read all of the post on this. And I can tell you whether extreme or not extreme I have longed to do something like this in my life for a heck of a long time.
I only wish I were younger now. And I am ready to take Jesus in any form or work, or tape or show that he wants to come as or in. OOOH I am sooooo Excited about this first time trip.* I feel like a teenager in a shopping mall just given a million dollars to spend.!!!!! |
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Unregistered(d) |
Song Lyrics and Such | ||
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I just wanted to say that i really apprieciated last year's thursday night thing. The one with the tomb and the video from the passion or which ever film. It moved me so much more than this year's thursday night. I think it was watered down quite a bit this year. I think the hard hitting stuff is what this camp's all about! It should make us think about our faith and how we want to live our lives, What Jesus did for us and how we can carry that into how we led our lives in service to him and others!
~Alicia |
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pcrichar |
Re: Song Lyrics and Such | ||
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It's funny you should say that, because I had a lot of people tell us this was one of their favorite years because the program really impacted them. Isn't it cool how Christ works through it all!!!
Paul Richardson Director of Workcamps Reach Ministries Int'l |
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nalgigi |
Re: Song Lyrics and Such | ||
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I actually liked it pretty well, It wasn't the whole try to scare you into anything bit, but it wasn't really cheezy either. It just really made you think and talk to God about what you needed to do as far as your faith and the things keeping you from the relationship we need with God. Granted it wasn't so much a brake down and cry kind of thing for a lot of people like some years are, but we need to remember that it doesn't always have to be like that to get something out of it. For me, it just prompted me to really have a good and much needed conversation with God, which was very cool. But that's just how I felt about it.
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dcckaiser |
Re: opinion | ||
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This was my first ever workcamp. Our church has been going to them for years, but it was never something I wanted to do. Ya'know, at 56 years old, going out for a week with a bunch of kids...well....maybe I'd rather do a root canal on myself with a dull fork! But after spending week #2 at Gulfport, MS, I am a confirmed workcampaholic! What an absolute good time I had. I met new kids, got to know the kids from my church better, worked with the best crew (#4) in the history of REACH, was supported by such a tremendous RWC staff, but best of all, got a clear picture of the plan God had for me.
I see that not a whole lot of people frequent this message board and that is a shame. I hope the RWC staff takes a look, because you guys gotta know, you have an awesome thing going here. It is a lot of hard grueling work I am sure, but Gods Kingdom is honored for it. Praise Him! |
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hmpbm |
Re: What you think?? | ||
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As an attendee of 6 or 7 workcamps and being the Staff Pastor this year in Niagara Falls, I must say that I am very impressed at the dedication of the REACH Staff. While campers are sound asleep, REACH Staff is bust getting things ready for the next day. They go to bed very early in the morning and get little sleep. I hope everyone lets each Staffer know how much they are appreciated. Far to often all we ever heard about is negative stuff, let them hear some positive stuff as well. I got to pull double duty last year as the Pastor and a Crew Leader. God tells us to give our all, well I did and it was all worth it. Give your all to the Lord and feel the power of his recharge. Keep up the GREAT work REACH Staff, you to Mike
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Unregistered(d) |
Awesome! | ||
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I think that everything over the whole week was fantastic! The singing just brought us into the spiritual mood a little, got us going, I loved it! Just the fact of knowing that not only did you helped someone by fixing their house in some way, but you gave them your attention, you cared and listened to them just made me feel awesome! Also meeting new people was really cool, because we got to break out of our shells, you know be who we are =)
Going to Monroe NC..Week #1 next year! Can't Wait! |
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hmpbm |
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I am always looking for a more in your face so to speak drama. The most powerful one for me was the year the cross was carried in and set up, we later received
small peices of paper to write someting on to give to the Father. There was not a dry eye in the house and in fact, the room was full for at least 1 hour or
more after the program concluded. Some kids and adults respond quickly but other need to feel deep inside the emotions which is why I like this type of drama.
More powerful, more real, more feeling and more sorrows felt. I Love the deep feeling of despare and hopelessness, it bring me closer to the Father and I seek
his forgiveness.
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