Looking forward to spring...and summer

Here are a few things we are looking forward to this spring:

• Spring OEE season starts April 15 with Triton followed by Chandler, Benton, Parkside, Waterford, Westview, Millersburg, Centreville, Wakarusa, Riverview, Middlebury, and still some more firming up dates.
• Even more than the schools coming, our program continues to develop as Cheryl Mast works very hard to keep current and improving education opportunities. With Jess Andrews helping and some summer staff coming early, our instructors will do a great job providing unique experiences for the students.
• We have a transitional ministers training, a mother daughter crop and an Exploritas (formerly Elderhostel) session coming this spring as well.
• With Addie Leaman returning to lead summer camp, I am excited as we continue to focus on making the week a special time for the campers.
• I have been blown away by the quality of the applicants I have gotten this year, which has forced me to turn away some very good people.
• And Day Camp is coming back, Sara McDonald will be leading it as we continue to develop this program in serving youth in the area.
• And on a personal note, the Lichti family is anticipating a third child any day.

grace&peace

Jason Lichti

Preparing for Summer Camp

We are getting ready for summer camp. We are processing registrations for the campers and applications for the summer staff, and I am excited about both. A few things to look forward to this year:

• Studying the Sermon on the Mount and finding ways to incorporate the Lord's Prayer throughout the day.
• Using pontoons to transport campers to the swim area and spending more time swimming.
• Quality staff who love working with kids, being outside, and following Jesus in community
• Survivor camps, Horse camps, Sports and Art Camp
• New ways to stay connected after camp and even during camp for parents
  

What we do, friendship and mentoring...

One of my favorite dynamics of camp is the friendship and mentoring that happen between counselors and campers. Young people pointing the way for younger people, taking time to guide and give once in a life time kinds of experiences. Here are a few pictures of the counselor/camper experience. I wonder who learns more the counselor or the camper? I think I probably learned more for my campers than I ever could have taught them.

Mennonite Camping and Curling

Each year, we gather with other Mennonite Camps to share ideas, struggles, and our journeys. In the odd numbered years we meet with our region, last year we met at Swan Lake in South Dakota. The even numbered years, we meet with camps from across Canada and the US. Last week, we gathered at Hidden Acres in Ontario, Canada. We worshiped, networked, laughed, prayed, and more together. We described ourselves as family and worked to build bridges towards each other.

It was a time filled with refreshment as we connected with 60+ people involved in camping in like 15 different camps. We tried curling which might just need its own blog post, what fun we had on the pebble trying to get stones in the house. Amigo had 9 people attend to get ideas, share in concerns, and get ready for the coming months. Each of us came away with new energy for camping, for sharing, for following Jesus.

Please check out other Mennonite camps as you travel around, very beautiful places that we have been entrusted with.

grace&peace

What we do at Amigo...part 3

Camp is setting around fires, making fires, having campfire worship, sharing stories, cooking meals, connecting with people , God and creation

Summer Camp, Day Camp...What do we do? part 2

We try to take advantage of beautiful Lake Perrin in St Joseph County, Michigan. There is not much better than hanging out on a lake in the summer.

We swim even if it is a little gray out.

Play water games, time to connect and have a great time!
120 foot water Slide!!

Exploring nature and digging in the mud (optional activity)
boating and canoeing are available

Instruction on proper and safe boating methods

Fishing!

and catching fish (not guaranteed but likely)

Time to explore on pontoons

Look forward to more memories and good times this summer on the lake.

Part 3 coming later this week.

Summer Camp, Day Camp...What do we do? part 1

so what all do we do at Amigo in the summer? That is a question I get a lot. So I thought I would pull out a couple pictures from last summer showing my answers. Part 1 here I will show some pictures from our rec field. We provide a variety of activities to get campers moving and being active. It also provides opportunity to build relationships with both fellow campers and with counselors. Play builds up trust and trust is key to connecting and sharing with each other.

We try to change up the activities and make them a little different than just what they can play at school. Here we take a wiffle ball and fill full of shaving cream which adds a little more excitement and mess to the game.

And by the end of the day, we are tired and worn out but still have the energy to swap our stories of conquest and defeat. Memories are made, life lessons learned, and friendships built.

grace&peace

Day Camp schedule

Here is our schedule for the summer of Day Camp. We have widened the age range that can come and provide a few themes to try this year. As we are still learning what works and what doesn't please contact us with any questions.

June 14-18 - Group A
June 21-25 - Group B
June 28-July 2 - Group A
July 5-9-Group B - Special Sports Emphasis
July 12-16-Group B - Special Water Activity Emphasis
July 19-22-PreK to 1st grade
July 26-30-Group A and B
August 2-6-Group A and B

Group A are campers who have finished Kindergarten to those that have finished 2nd grade. Group B are campers who have finished 3rd grade to those that have finished 5th grade.

There can be space for a sibling to join their sibling in another group (ie. a 1st grader could tag along with a 4th grader)

Day Camp!

We are excited to run Day Camp again this summer. Using the facilities and expertise of over 50 years of camping ministry, we have a program that serves local youth of St Joseph County,Mi and Lagrange County, IN.

Our staff are dedicated to providing each camper with a wonderful week. We study nature, swim in the lake, fish, boat, play games, do arts and crafts, and just have fun exploring. I will be posting more information about activities and some pictures form last summer. Look forward to seeing you at camp this summer.

Please contact me at Amigo Centre, email jlichti@amigocentre.org.

grace& peace
Jason

Summer Camp

Over the next two weeks, I will be traveling across the country in search of summer staff. I will visit Messiah College, Eastern Mennonite, Bluffton, Goshen, Hesston and Bethel. I look forward to getting out and meeting students. Connecting with other camp staff is a big part of time as well.

It is always amazing how God works to provide the right staff for each summer. Right now, students are starting to think about summer employment and what kinda of experience they will have. For some, the opportunity to work with youth, to be outside, and share about Jesus is just right.

I will hear some comments about needing to make more money which is definitely a valid concern. However, when I start to look at the long term benefits, this experience is great for future teachers, preachers, leaders, supervisors, etc. The youth get to make decisions and shape their community in a way that most don't ever get to see or do.

I will share some other thoughts from the road as I am able to. If you are out at the colleges, stop by, say hi, let me know you read this blog.

grace & peace
jason

A New Year Starts...

Well we are off to a new year. We had a good holidays with several families and youth groups using the facilities. The tube runs and ice were open for activities, lets hope it holds on for the winter youth retreats. We were also blessed by generous donations. It is always humbling and invigorating to see how much this place and ministry have touched so many people. Thank You!

A quick update on a couple of program notes. We are gearing up for our winter youth retreats which start Jan 15-17 with Junior High. We have had a good turnout. Still rooms available especially for the February retreats. Summer camp, we have our schedule up and we are setting up online registration this month and will have significant incentive for those who sign up early and on line. More information to come soon.

In midst of this, we have been reminded of the value of life. Phonthip Mounsithiraj passed away on Jan 4. Phonthip is the son of Damdouane who has worked in the kitchen at camp for many years. If you have ever had egg rolls at camp, you know Damdouane and her passion for life which is shared by her family. Please take time to pray for her and her family.

thanks and we look forward to seeing you sometime this year up at camp.

grace&peace

Jason

Summer 2010

Summer 2010

June 13-18 Adventure (11-14)
June 27-July 2 Explorers (9-11)
June 27-July 2 Horse Camp 1 (11-14)

June 27-July 2 Survivor (13-15)
July 4-9 Sport and Art Camp
July 11-16 Encounter (10-12)
July 11-16 Horse Camp 2(13-15)

July 11-16 Survivor 2 (14-16)
July 18-22 Discovery (8-10)
July 18-20 Experience (6-8)

More information and registration forms will be coming soon!