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July 01, 2007

Secret Agent Updates for Missions

In January, Kids Clubhouse kids learned how God has called all of His children, from Abraham all the way to school-age kids today, to be his agents in the world. God blesses "us" so that we will pass on the blessing to the nations so the nations will praise God (see Psalm 67:2-3,Genesis 12:2-3).

We would like to encourage your children to see themselves as a part of that cycle, especially when they have the chance to travel to another nation on a mission trip. Please let us know if your family is taking part in a mission trip this summer (even if you've already gone), so that we may highlight your child and family in his/her classroom with a "secret agent update". Contact Jim and Peggy McGee with your details anytime this summer (the sooner, the better).

Fun things to do with children of all ages

Starsmore Discovery Center
This is a very fun, hands on experience for kids. There is a sand box where the kids can make animal footprints, drawers of bones, furs, and sticks to look at, and a box of worms to hold. It's nice and small, so little ones have a lot to do, but they don't have to walk long distances. www.cheyennecanon.org

New Splashpark for outdoor fun!
There's a new, free splash park on the corner of Pine Manor and Sycamore Glen. Unlike downtown's Uncle Wilbur founrtain, you can take your little ones from the water to playground equipment without moving your blanket to the grass. It's all in one location! Bring plenty of sunscreen, because the young trees in this new housing development are too small to provide adequate shade.

Camping Stories: Candy Tempas

Every year they camped for a week in a mystical location. . .

Dean's family would take him camping every year to the same incredible spot. They would stay for a week and bring bikes, go swimming, and just enjoy the great outdoors. He thought that it was the best place in the world. When he go older he realized that this great campground was only five minutes away from his house. It was practically across the street. Although, it was a bit confusing, he was overjoyed to know that he need not have to go far to enjoy the great outdoors. --Candy Tenpas

Camping Stories: Alice Brunette

Sharing a tent with four howling dogs in a windstorm. . .

Before we had kids, we went camping with our four dogs. We lived in South Dakota and drove eight hours into Montana. We tried three different locations. The first was still buried in snow, the second had hail and rain, but the third seemed to work well. Then at about two in the morning this incredible wind picked up and everything in the campsite went flying everywhere. The dogs were going crazy and everything was in complete chaos so we packed up and drove eight hours back home. –The Brunettes

Camping Stories: Ralph Mayer

A strange sniffing outside the tent in Africa. . .

While I was still in high school, a friend of the family took me out of my boarding school and flew me off to Africa to go camping. In the middle of the night we hear sniffing outside the tent. Since it was during poaching season, we had a park ranger and a military escort along with us, so I didn’t worry too much. I found out later, they were laughing about the animal and wondering if they should move me closer to the fire, since the animal probably wouldn’t approach the flames to eat me. The next morning, we found out it was a hyena, who really could have eaten me. After high school, I joined the army and had to camp a whole lot, so I don’t camp anymore. –Ralph Mayer