Meandering Moose

Camp is Run by Youth

Camp Widjiitiwin is run by youth!

It’s plain enough if you sit and watch them. I did this one night back in the summer before dinner while sitting on the fireplace. I was smiling. I was very happy with my staff this summer. They’re did a great job!!! You should see them go. They all do their jobs like they’ve been taught and for the most part it runs like clockwork. As an example, two young cooks put out a meal for 110 campers and staff including lasagna, garlic bread and Greek salad with cookies for dessert. Sure, sometimes they mess us, they’re loud, occasionally careless and overly exuberant. But they have such passion and ability to grow and learn and lead.

From my youngest staff to my oldest leader, they are kids. At least, at 52 this summer, they are all kids to me. And they are all leaders at camp! My head cook, assistant director and SALT director are all just 20 years old. My registrar is 19 and so on it goes through my staff. They are kids leading other kids to minister to the campers, more kids. It’s SO wonderful to watch and lead them.

Recently McDonald’s Restaurants have been running ads about how they value youth. That has been happening at camps for years. At camps we give students an amazing amount of responsibility at a very young age. At 17 they can be cabin leaders, responsible for the lives of 8 campers. My senior summer leaders are between 19 and 23 years old. They can do SO much!

They are also the church, creatively demonstrating the gospel each day to campers and each other. They will not become the church when they hit a certain age, they are the church now.

Camp Widjiitiwin – the way camp was meant to be… relational, central, natural, reaching out, a loving community focused on Christ. It’s like coming home, it’s my camp!

Staff Lessons Summer 2015

The Widji summer staff met yesterday (Sunday morning, September 6th) for our last time together.

I shared from My Utmost for His Highest about the living waters that can flow out of us in Christ. A river reaches places which its source never knows. And Jesus said that, if we have received His fullness, “rivers of living water” will flow out of us, reaching in blessing even “to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8) regardless of how small the visible effects of our lives may appear to be. We have nothing to do with the outflow— “This is the work of God, that you believe…” (John 6:29). God rarely allows a person to see how great a blessing he is to others. A river is victoriously persistent, overcoming all barriers.

We talked about what lessons we had learned from God for from the summer. Here is what they had to say.

1. Power of prayer
2. Patience
3. Patience & humility
4. Not taking things for granted after hearing a camper’s story
5. Both eyes open, listened to camper’s story, understand where they come from
6. Campers come back (some on staff) great to see how they have grown up, how much camp did for them
7. Seeing SALTers want more from God inspires, grateful to come to camp
8. Patience & prayer; in not always just asking for stuff; thanking God for answered prayer and what’s true
9. Watching changes in SALTers growth, all that God has done
10. Learned to open up personally to others, it’s valuable to seek other’s input
11. Pride impacts the way we serve, how to continuously love those who are hard to love and in the hard times
12. At Easter decided Bible wasn’t Word of God, learned the importance of God’s Word this summer
13. To trust God with everything, has seen prayer work, to pray for others, saw God revealed this summer
14. To see stuff that happens as parts to work for His glory, trust God! not my own understanding
15. Pride is bad & patience
16. A friend asked, have you thanked God that His plans are good for you? God at work in him even if he doesn’t understand it fully
17. Was asked how to use a Bible and got to show a camper
18. Hard to show non-christian friends who God is, the best way is to act Christ’s life
19. Patience
20. About prayer, more than just at meals & bedtime, prayer helps!
21. Listened to camper’s trials, camper said she would still love her friend
22. To humble myself, thought he could handle anything, knocked down a few times and learned from it
23. The little things are the big things, like talking to a camper because they don’t get attention from others in their lives, spend the time
24. Why she believes what she believes being around non-Christians this summer and having to give a reason
25. To trust and rely on God, pray about the big and little things
26. Now has 100% in his faith, God has surrounded him with good people
27. God is so not limited by us, when He wants to move there’s nothing we can do to stop it
28. Celebrate the trials and challenges to grow closer to God
29. Thankful for honor to be at camp; it’s great to learn theology, but head info doesn’t make us faithful in ministry, it’s Christ himself ; sees his own limits
30. Even though kids from sponsorship weeks can be difficult, they deserve love and service with a smile & focus on having a positive week; also to deal with his pride
31. Learned a lot about God, He’s there is the tough times and how to live for Him
32. Don’t rely on self, had hard weeks with campers; after a serious campfire, a camper wanted to talk & asked God for words and He did, ask Him to give you the words to speak about Him
33. A crisis of trust; first we have to trust God, then He will act

I finished off by reading Joshua 1:1-10 and encouraged them to be strong and courageous. Don’t let your service finish here. You have been given great responsibility this summer. You ARE the church, go bless people!

Nehemiah 3; a Widji Paraphrase

As delivered at staff prayer, 7:00 a.m. on Monday, August 24, 2015

Nehemiah is in captivity in Persia when he heard about the distress in Jerusalem that the walls are broken down. This was a city’s only defense. He went before King Artaxerxes and not only got permission to go rebuild the wall, but also received, men, supplies and safe passage. He gathered the people, explained the task and they set about rebuilding the wall. Chapter 3 is about the ordinary people that each took on responsibility and did the work. Read the first few verses of Nehemiah 3. Here at Widji, I think it would read something like this.

Nehemiah 3 Paraphrase
Then O-Tegg, the ropes/sports supervisor, rose up to lead the service team to clean the camp from end bathrooms to sweeping the Longhouse to setting up for meals; Notch worked alongside Mybro, who worked alongside Eistein and ran the Tuck Shop with Squash & Strudel.

After him, Heratio led the kitchen team to make three meals a day for the gathered groups and Zaur and Chirps chopped thousands of veggies for the hungry people and then Bosh, Piglet, Copper and Pocus cleaned tens of thousands of dishes until they were perfectly ready for the next meal.

Then Tumnus rallied the SALT leaders to impart wisdom and skills to the SALTers for two sessions. He did this alongside Slack, Bueller, Loki, Scuddle, Zap and Mormigo. All did their duties to the best of their abilities and cried when each session of SALTers left.

Oma and Gaston, the program directors, gathered the cabin leaders to the great and noble tasks of leading activities, cabin devotions, all camp games, chapel and Widji Ball! Tut, Dribble, Butterz, Sarge, Dory, Rhino, Cheff, Giggz, Angel, Tamingo, Wii-Mo, Wallaby, Sharkbait, Palincomb, Yaaasss and Bower worked long hours and went hard beside each other caring for and loving each camper in their cabins, even to the dreaded game “Counsellor Hunt”.
When Orbit the media staff grew weary in producing video, Semi-Flow took over to provide never ending memories for campers, staff and SALTers.

Rousey painted on never ending sheets of plywood to make magical the things Moose would cut out, creating an awesome themed experience for campers.

NaNa, Ripoll, Strike and G’boi volunteered to do anything that would make camp better and special for the campers. They forged through in program, kitchen, sports and service. G’boi was given additional tasks in camp maintenance & projects.

The leadership staff each laid down their piece of the camp work: Strudel keeping all the records in order and balancing the money; Shelob cared for all the injured and gave them vitamin C and TLC when they became sick; The chiefs, ShamWow and Anyong lead the staff in to spiritual renewal with our God; Panic supported each lifeguard to be ever watchful for the safety of the campers at the waterfront; Squash worked with Moose and Strudel to ensure the safe and efficient running of Camp Widjiitiwin.

In all, each staff worked hard and completed each task to the best of their ability, demonstrating the Gospel through word and deed. They were found to be steadfast in what they believe, thinking of others and what might be done to help them, having in mind what was best for the campers and other staff.

They dealt well with the tensions of living in the close Christian community of Camp Widjiitiwin, each getting along well with the rest of the staff, working well with their peers, the campers and other staff.

Band of Brothers Fall Bootcamp

COST: $240 in full or deposit of $150 and $120 at the door. Deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable

Arrival: Start at 2:00 pm Friday (please arrive between 12 noon-1:00 pm). Ends Sunday at 1:00 pm.

Registration: toronto.bootcampdetails.com

The Band of Brothers Bootcamps are not an event about the seven things a man ought to do to be a nicer guy. It is a three-day quest into the recovery of a man’s masculine soul, the release of a man’s heart – his passions, and his true nature – all of which has been given him by God. For if a man is going to know who he truly is as a man, if he is going to find a life worth living, love a woman deeply, and not pass on his confusion to his children, he simply must get his heart back. The Bootcamp is for any man who wants to be better as a man, husband, father, and leader.

Hosted in a setting of beauty and adventure, the Bootcamp includes teaching sessions, films, guided periods of reflection, journaling, incredible meals and activities. The Band of Brothers Toronto Bootcamp is held at rustic Camp Widjiitiwin in the heart of Muskoka.

We have designed something far more than a retreat – it’s an advance, an expedition into the heart. Men attending will never be the same. Check out this great video: youtu.be/zeHl2qEqiYY.

Your Registration Fee Includes:

Meals and accommodation
Free time activities
All resources (bring a notepad)
T-shirt & dog tag!

Proud to be in the battle with each of you!

Band of Brothers Bootcamp – Muskoka Leadership Team

A Crisis of Trust

Last Saturday, I started to hear rumours and I was listening to them gather than what I knew for sure that God had told me. I was letting the “news” get me down. In a conversation with a friend I came to a place where I must trust God or people.

My friend’s counsel was to, “Focus on ministry and God will take care of rumours and people who like to talk and to trust God to control the situation as we focus on ministering to the kids.” I chose God, because He is bigger.

Two things came to my mind at that time. One is the song, “Why Should I Worry” by Billy Joel from the Disney movie Oliver and Company. You can listen to it here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CuUQmkAzSZE

The second was Matthew 6:33 which has long been my life verse and I needed to be reminded to come back to His kingdom and His righteousness and let the rest take care of itself.

Be careful you don’t miss Mathew 6:34. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Jesus had a “porch”

10394559_701794799868861_8398421647686050275_n — Widji back porch

By Dr. Taylor Williams

My front porch. It’s nothing particularly special. It will never win any decor awards. If truth be told it has enough foundational cracks that I am sure we will have to replace it if we ever move. You might look at it and see an old porch full of problems but let me share with you what I see.

I see a place of restoration, a place of perspective finding, a place of solitude, and at times a place of refuge (especially when my three kids are not out playing). I see a place of rescue, an oasis, a place to focus before a challenging day and to refocus after a difficult day. I see a place to meet with Jesus, and to listen for him and to hear from him.

The call to Christian leadership is filled with many ups and downs. Oswald Chambers reminds us, “We were never called to be free from problems but we were promised to never be alone in the problems”. In a loud, busy, angry, frustrating, and often confusing world, it is vital to have a “porch”. That place to go to be reminded that you are not alone!

There is a principle called, “crowded loneliness” which argues that we can be surrounded by Facebook friends, Twitter followers, co-workers, and even family, but inside we can still feel all alone. This loneliness can emerge because no one knows who we really are. Our moments on the porch allow us to come into communion with our maker, our sustainer, and our redeemer; Jesus. The one who knows who we really are.

Jesus had a “porch”. Mark refers to it as a desolate place. Jesus often got up and got away. He spent time early in the morning to refocus on His calling, spend time with his Father, and prepare for the battles that lay ahead in the day. It poses the question, if Jesus needed a time and place to escape to be with his Father who are we to think we can survive in ministry without doing the same?

Let me share some application questions:

Do you have a “porch”? Where is your “place” to meet/listen with Jesus?
How could time in this place prepare you to face the problems of the day?
What impact could meeting with Jesus, listening for him, and hearing from him have on your life and leadership?

Go ahead-find your “porch”. Remember, it does not have to be amazing or spectacular. What makes it special is the one who shows up to meet you there!

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.

Widji Needs YOU!

Widji needs you!

Here are some ways you can help.

Pray for us!
Promote Widji to
Donate towards our ministry expenses or
Send a camper to Widji!
- Sponsor a camper to one of our partnership weeks (Fresh Air, Escape, Royal City & Venture) for just $445
- Click here for more information about our partnerships
- Peer to peer fundraising; challenge you’re friends to donate to send a camper to Widji. Offer a prize to the person who raises the most. We would help you out with a Widji shirt.
Pray for us
- For campers – registration numbers and life changes
- For summer staff – that we’ll have the right staff for 2015; we s
- For summer camp pastors
- For safety in programs and activities
- For the Director – Mike Greenfield
- For the summer leadership team (Assistant Director, Waterfront Director, Co-Program Directors, SALT Director and the Chief Cabin Leaders)

Ways to Give (Gifts in Kind,Time, Financial Donations)

Financial donations

Make sure all gifts for Camp Widjiitiwin are clearly marked for camp.
Online donation through Canada Helps secure site and designate your gift to Camp Widjiitiwin. You can even set it up for regular or monthly giving.
Cheques or money orders may be sent to Camp Widjiitiwin, Box 10020, Huntsville, ON P1H 2K1.
Cash can be donated through the MBC office.
Canadian Tire $ can be mailed to camp or dropped off in the jar in the Bookstore at MBC. Canadian Tire money will be used mostly to purchase sports equipment and some tools.

People and places to give to:

Adopt a cabin for $250 and you will be providing for their cleaning supplies, a new smoke detector, a working fire extinguisher, a fan, a weekly special treat (i.e.: pizza party or ice cream social), etc.
Camper sponsorships can be in any amount.
Camp fees range from $499 for TNT to $1365 for SALT.

We are primarily looking for new items to ensure quality, but if you have gently used items in great condition we would appreciate those as well. Items we are looking for include, but are not limited to:

Canoes or kayaks
Plants/scrubs for landscaping
Theme props for 2015 (2015 themes: Space Camp, Destination: Egypt, Cartoons & Comics and Pirates vs. Ninjas)

Are You Ready for Camp?

The start of #Widji15 is coming fast! Are you ready for camp this summer? Here are a few links to help you get ready.

What_to_Bring_To_Camp_List
What_to_bring_to_SALT_list
What NOT to bring to camp list
- iPods/CD/DVD or MP3 players, matches, cell or smart phones, laptops or computer games , gum, knives, Pellet, BB, or Paint Ball Guns, TV’s/radio’s!

Once again we have partnered with Mabel’s Labels, a company with all types of labels that are colourful, indestructible and fun! Go to www.widjiitiwin.mabelslabels.com and then place your order! We look forward to sending campers home with ALL their belongings this summer!

Registration Schedule

REGISTRATION is on the Sunday between 2:00 and 4:00 pm. Sorry, no early registrations please.
Place holding numbers will be given out as you arrive. Staff will help you carry luggage down to the registration area.
- Each camper will see a head checker to ensure no live come in to camp
- Next you will see the registration staff who will inform you about the camper’s cabin,
- After registration, you will meet with our camp nurse about your child’s health and medications.
- Now you’re off to meet one of your child’s cabin leaders. More camp will assist you to carry luggage down to the cabins.
- Swim tests start at 4:00 for girls and 4:30 for boys
- Parents will receive a postcard or two on your way out from camp. These for you to leave at camp as mail for your child.
On registration and pick up days there will be additional Camp Widjiitiwin souvenirs and special tuck shop items for sale.
Please see our “For Widji Parents” board on Pinterest for mail and package ideas. Note: mail and care packages should be mailed at least by the Wednesday before your camper comes to Widjiitiwin or drop them off at the registration table!

PICK-UP time is Saturday after breakfast between 9:00 and 10:30 am.

We’ll see you in just a few weeks. If you have any questions leading up to summer, please call the Widji office at 1-705-789-0123.

Happy packing!

What does it mean to be a Christian camp?

Knowing Widji is a Christian Camp, what does that mean to you? Here are some answers to that questions from some staff interviews.

Some things that people expect that are true:

Staff have a common purpose to see the Gospel demonstrated to campers and each other
Camp will have cabin devotions, chapels, prayer times
It’s a place to grow spiritually, to discover Jesus
A place to realign your relationship with God
We share the Bible
Discover Jesus
Serve God; not for self
Outreach
People are loving and accepting
Staff are all Christians
Like iron sharpens iron, we build each other up
Own your own faith
Genuine, no showmanship – be real!
Sword drills
FUN
New adventures
Celebrate differences
See Christianity in action
A safe place to discover who God wants you to be

Some things people expect that may not always be true:

No one swears
Everyone who comes is a Christian
People will always be nice, no drama will happen
It’s all fun and no work

Widji is such a great place to come to on your faith journey. Come discover Jesus this summer. Camper, SALT & staff applications are online at www.mycamp.ca.

Camp Widjiitiwin – the way camp was meant to be… relational, central, natural, reaching out, a loving community focused on Christ. It’s like coming home, it’s my camp!