The last full day of Compass Camp 2015 began with the usual whistle and wake up call of “Morning Campers”, the start of a day that was going to end in a very unusual way with a Christmas Day experience.
Before the evening there were other last events for this year’s camp. Firstly the morning meeting concluding the Encounters with Jesus series with a study on the disciples on the road to Emmaus. Tom challenged us to consider what we place our hope in and whether we can have any certainty in receiving what we hope for. The disciples hoping that Jesus was the one to redeem Israel, their hopes disappointed when Jesus was crucified but Jesus showing them that through his death and resurrection he provided a sure and certain hope of forgiveness of sins and life eternal for those that believe in him.
The afternoon activity was a trip to Ambleside. Due to rain a picnic lunch was had in the minibus rather than in the park but as the rain eased we headed into the town for a game of hunt the leader. Camp leaders hid around Ambleside as characters from the stories we looked at through the week, a wise man in a book shop, a woman by a well and a short man by a sycamore tree amongst them.
After some free time for shopping it was back to Coniston to prepare for the evening. Campers made Christmas crackers whilst the leaders decorated the hall. Christmas Day began at 6pm. The campers “asleep in their tents” waiting for Christmas morning, the sound of sleigh bells and a visit from Santa and waking up to find stockings filled with presents. After opening presents there was a carol service. As well as some traditional carols we sang an adapted version of the 12 days of Christmas – the 7 days of Campass Camp. Then it was a Christmas buffet followed by party games. After pass the parcel and charades we paused to watch the Queen’s speech, our very own Chris Doran with an uncanny resemblance to her majesty reviewing the highs and lows of this year’s camp.
More games and then the prizes and awards. A tight finish saw the Scroogettes take the tent prize with Grace clinching the prize by winning the week-long Cluedo competition. For getting a lot out of camp and their contribution to the week Dylan and Darcie deservedly won Stephanie Wright “Camper of the year” prize, each receiving a book and year’s subscription to Bible study notes.
A fun “Christmas Day in a evening” was wrapped up by Jeff with a summary of what we’ve learned during the week. Sadly tomorrow we have to pack up and leave Coniston. We look forward to warm showers and clean clothes, keeping in touch with friends made, looking at the photos and remembering the teaching whilst we look forward to next year’s camp. For those who like to plan well in advance the dates to put in your diary are Sat 13th to Sat 20th Aug!
Thanks for all your prayers and support for Camp 2015.
