We retrieved SuperPizzaBoy from his summer camp about a week ago.
(Yogi Photo)
He attended Charis Hills Camp northwest of Fort Worth, Texas. Charis Hills is a summer camp for kids with learning differences. They are a Christian based camp and all the kids are given a Bible along with their water bottles.
(Camp Photo)
SPB got to do a lot of stuff including horseback riding.
(Camp Photo)
When you register for the camp the parents and the kids list their preferred activities in order of preference. The staff does their best to match everybody up as best they can and it seemed to work out pretty well. Note that video games and texting were not among the activities listed. (Yee Haw as they say in Texas.) In fact no electronics are permitted at all, not even digital cameras. We gave SPB some recyclable cameras to use.
(Camp Photo)
So SPB got to stretch himself a little bit, archery wasn’t one of his preferred activities but hey, I think he liked although it was challenging.
(Camp Photo)
Now, drama and performance, that is right up his alley.
(Camp Photo)
Everybody does swimming every day.
(SuperPizzaBoy Photo)
Everybody also does an academic component called Nova. In Nova they learned about the Chisolm Trail, and other things having to do with the history of the area. Much of it is hands on like learning how to make root beer and hard tack.
(SuperPizzaBoy Photo)
They woman who taught Nova is a public school teacher from the area and also participates in Civil War reenactments and could really bring the lessons home.
(Yogi Photo)
What really makes the camp go are the Camp Counselors. We got to meet many of them. You won’t find a harder working, more engaging and compassionate group of young people anywhere.
(Camp Photo)
They are also a bunch of hams.
(Camp Photo)
To engage kids of this age you really need high energy and patience.
(Camp Photo)
And these folks have it.
(Camp Photo)
SPB was worn out by his experience and was ready to go home but he had a great time and learned a lot.
(Yogi Photo)
At the awards ceremony you could tell that they went to great lengths to make sure that every kid had a special experience.
(Camp Photo)
Plus you have to love a place that has a camp cow.
(SuperPizzaBoy Photo)
So I used this verse a couple weeks ago when I posted about taking SPB to camp and said that he needed to “Man Up.” Well he did, now I’m focusing on the “Pure Joy” part of the verse.
Perfect Pairings
We are big fans of Charis Hills Camp.
Note about the photographs. The camp staff posts online photographs taken during the camp. They also make available at nominal cost a USB drive where they burn the photographs taken during the days of camp. All told there were well over two thousand photos taken and uploaded and burned onto the drive. So that was cool. We were able to pick out bunches of photos of SPB engaging in the various activities. I’ve designated who took what photo underneath the photos above.
What a terrific camp!! I’m so glad SPB got to go! Experiences like that are the very best and what a wonderful group of people — looks like they’re having as much fun as the kids!! So glad you found a place like this! Enjoy your weekend!
Sylvia
Looks like SPB had a good time, he’s getting to be a real horseman but maybe not keen on the swimming. What a great opportunity.
Camp is really an incredible experience. I’m glad your son gets to benefit from such an amazing place and people. =)
It looks like a great camp, what a blessing!
Really!!! What’s not to love about a camp cow?
Wow, the kid is almost a head taller than his mom. You musta been feedin’ him Grow-pup. Camp cow is a new one on me. I’m glad he had a good time. Sounds like a really neat place.
Bless him, looks like he had a great time.
You’re rapidly losing your baby – his growth spurt has started early. Makes you wonder what height SPB will finish up. I’ve been wondering all week how SPB went on and when you didn’t post anything about him I feared the worst. However, looks as though I counted my chickens before they were hatched LOL.
It’s great that SPB enjoyed his stay at camp. It does sound like a great place for the adventure of being away from home yet in a safe place. I’m sure SPB has grown up a bit through the experience…though it may not be obvious yet. 😉
@Leedslass – sorry it took me so long but I had to wade through a lot of photos to get the ones I wanted.
The best part is that next year mom won’t worry when you drop him off at camp. Pure Joy for EVERYone!
I’m so glad camp went well. I think it’s part of the awesomeness of being so near Fort Worth. 😉
I want to go to that camp, even if I have to try archery and get in that water every day! How very wonderful. Your son takes a great photo. His face tells a story within a story.
It’s cool he’s a Pepper, too.
Wow! SPB is really getting TALL! He’s probably tuckered out from all his activities and the heat. He took some good pics. Next he’ll be using your cameras Yogi.
What a wonderful time it looks like SPB had. Camp is an awesome thing. He is getting so tall and older. Wow.
What a great adventure. Have you heard of Brett Dennen? I’ve blogged about him in recent months. He had some transforming experiences at camp as a kid and he writes about it in many of his folk songs. I love his work. So cool Super Pizza Boy! He’s growing up and I think he’s so cute.
@Jennifer – I’ll have to check out Mr. Dennen. Yes my boy is cute but don’t tell him that!
his face says it all
What a great experience camp is and the perfect camp makes it even better! Your handsome son is growing so much and he looks so happy and confident!