Discovery Camp: Day 1

     Today was our first full day of Discovery Camp and it was incredible. We have almost 130 campers and we are extremely happy to have them. We are pleased to announce that we will exceed last years numbers for enrollment!

Village Coordinator Briana Martinez taking LineCall Report

     Every single camper is important to us here at PSR and despite the high numbers of enrollment we are committed to providing each and every camper the full camp experience. Our Boy’s Village Coordinator is even assisting in a cabin for two nights so we don’t over burden our staff. 

Safety Orientation at the Ropes Course

      So far this week is already turning out to be great. We started the morning with biscuits and gravy in the cafeteria. Our cafeteria was bustling today, and we couldn't be happier. Its a long wait from the end of Teen Camp 2014 to today to see young men and women filling the cafeteria lines; it was a welcome sight.

     After breakfast cabin Apache raised the flag. 

     Not long after that we sent our campers to their first set of activity rotations. Before our afternoon rotations we had a successful fire drill. We are so proud of how well our campers responded to the drill. After rotations we played Dodgeball for Big Event. We had Tostadas for Dinner and then cabin Iroquois lowered the flag to end the activities portion of our day.

    We ended our day with the first performance of our Monday outpost program at the wagon train.

    We are so excited to have so many campers here at camp this week so we can show the the love of Jesus.

    For more photos be sure to check out UltraCamp.

Blessings,  Colin      

Summer Update: Family Camp/ Cub Camp

I have so much to tell you. Since I last gave you an update, we have finished our staff training program and even completed our first week of camp. During staff training we asked much of our staff, and we found out what they are capable of. The PSR 2015 camp staff are a fantastic group of dedicated young adults. They might just be the best staff I’ve ever seen. 

2015 Staff Photo

“Sure”, you might say “they just pay you to say that” ,but you couldn't pay me enough not to say it. This staff has taken everything we have thrown at them and run with it. They have done it with a smile on their face and represented camp in a way that makes us very proud.

The staff pray for each other as we open camp.

Annika and Emily take a well-deserved break.

Angelica staining benches at the fort.

During our staff training week we put in more than 1,500 man hours on work projects to prepare our campus for our arriving campers. We tested them on more than 100 points from our staff manual and updated their first aid and CPR certifications. We also took time to reward them for all their hard work with a bowling and pizza party and our beloved annual agape feast.

We are also extremely excited to announce that we are at the conclusion of an extremely successful Family Camp for our 2015 season. Family camp sold out this season and we are so pleased to have been able to serve more than 200 guests. Our family campers were the first to experience our annual Pageant and our brand new Sabbath morning program. We are running a programming heavy season this year and so far we think it has been a huge success. 

Kids having fun in the Sabbath Village

Family Camp Check-In

We also are coming to the conclusion of our first ever Cub Camp session. Our Cub campers have been the brightest part of our days. Seeing their smiling faces every morning has helped our staff get through a very busy week. We had 34 Cub Campers this week and we look forward to seeing them at full weeks of camp in the future.

Cub Campers enjoying the pool.

Cabin Arapaho Raises our Flag

Today was a bittersweet day as we say goodbye to all of these beloved campers but meet our 2015 Discovery campers. We look forward to serving each and every week this summer and we can’t wait for you to come and see us.

It has finally begun...

      Something  incredible happened at 9 AM Monday morning. The 2015 PSR Camp Staff walked into the door of the Lodge and began a Journey. We went through a day of paperwork with them and got ready to start Staff Training Week. Then, in the evening, we split up into family groups where they got a chance to get to know each other. We followed that up with worship to end the night, where our staff got to sing together for the first time.

Staff sings praise songs together for the first time.

     These are largely a group of students strapped for cash, struggling to pay their way through college.  Naturally they came to camp to help pay off student loans right?

     Wrong.

      The truth is that they could make more money stuffing tacos in a Taco Bell drive thru. So how is it that we pull them away from the horrors of corporate fast food? The answer is change. Change is how nature moves, its how culture evolves and how the word of God affects you.

     Camp staff believe in change, that’s why they sacrifice their summer and financial well-being to minister to our youth.

     Camp changes minds, it changes lives and it changes hearts.  It is our hope that camp this summer will change the lives of our campers for the better. The reward we gain from that is worth far more than the wages of a fast food employee.

     The 2015 staff are all making sacrifices with their eyes on that reward. We know you appreciate their service. This message isn’t to ask for your appreciation. This message is to ask you for your prayers; prayers for the success of camp, for the health and safety of our staff and that God give them energy and patience to last the summer. Please join us in our prayers this summer.

What Staff Need To Bring To Camp!

Here is the list!

PAPERWORK

1) Your social security card & approved photo ID

You MUST present the originals on June 15 to complete the I-9 form (UNLESS you completed it at SECC prior to June 11th). This needs to be completed for your work to begin. If you live in the Riverside, CA area you can come to the HR dept. at the conf. office and show your SS card and photo ID to complete your I-9 before camp.

2) A copy of a physical exam performed within the previous year. 

If you can bring a copy with you to camp, that works best. Some employees need to schedule their physicals at camp, which is scheduled based on the availability of qualified medical personnel.

3) Certifications (CPR/FIRST AID/AED/LIFEGUARD/WSI/LEVEL 2 ARCHERY/FOOD HANDLERS PERMIT)

If you have any certifications needed to fulfill your position, you need to bring them with you. PSR Camp provides CPR/FIRST AID/AED training for all employees who are required to have it. 

4) All other incomplete paperwork

About 80% of staff members are done with their paperwork because the deadline to turn it in was last Thursday. If you are still missing forms, you need to bring them will you on June 15th, completed. Please note: the DIrect Deposit slip is not a required form.  

OTHERWISE, HERE ARE THE ESSENTIAL ITEMS

1) PERSONAL BIBLE / CHRISTIAN BOOKS / WORSHIP MATERIAL

For personal devotions. You will also be asked from time to time to lead out in staff and/or camper worships throughout the summer.

2) MUSICAL INSTRUMENT(S)

Some of you may be asked to help lead songs for programs, or special music. 

3) MORNING ALARM

To wake yourself up. Trust us, you’ll need it.

4) FLASHLIGHT

'Nuff said.

5) WATCH / TIMEPIECE

So you can be “on location – on time!”

6) SLEEPING BAG / PILLOW

Most staff will be assigned regularly to sleep in cabins either as Counselors or Counselor Assistants.

7) BEDDING

The first two weeks of camp staff will stay in cabins.  Then you will be assigned a lodge room and roommates. You must bring your own bedding, including sheets, comforters, pillows, and blankets. Nothing is allowed on the walls.

8) TOILETRIES

Toothbrush, comb, brush, hair dryer, curling iron, sunscreen (very important), moisturizing lotion, towels/washcloths, soap, deodorant, etc. 

9) BUG REPELLENT

Outdoors = bugs

10) MONEY

For emergencies (especially if coming from out of state), and for expenses you might incur on your day offs.

11) CLOTHING

Plan to look clean, neat, and professional. Include:

*Pants/capris (required on Sabbaths as part of uniform, no blue jeans are allowed on Sabbath)

*Khaki shorts/pants/capris (required on Sundays as part of uniform)

*More shorts/pants for the rest of the week. 

NOTE:  Use the “finger test” to determine appropriate length. Shorts must be as long as

the tips of your fingers when hands at side.*Shirts for staff training week. (uniform shirts not given out until end of training)*Cap / sunglasses (days can be very hot and bright)*Jacket / sweater (if you lose the one camp provides)
*Nicer clothing for Friday nights. (like going to vespers at college) 

*Closed toe shoes (no open toe shoes allowed outdoors) Flip-flops only allowed in the shower and at the pool.  Never for traveling around camp. Sandals are approved if they have a closed-toe design and a heel strap.

*Swim suit (modest one-piece only for girls…and guys) Girls can wear “board shorts” and a swim shirt as an option. Must cover the mid-section.

LAUNDRY INFO

To ease the burden on our housekeeping staff, you are required to do your own laundry at home, a friend’s house, or a Laundromat on your day off.  (Remember to bring a laundry bag/basket and detergent.) If this is not possible for you, laundry service will be available for $10/per load. Arrangements should be made with our housekeeping coordinator. Laundry will only be accepted once a week, so bring enough clothing. 

12) GOOD ATTITUDE

Summer camp ministry is both exciting and demanding.  You will be physically and emotionally drained at times.  Having a positive attitude is critical to your success at PSR!

Do not bring...

1) JEWELRY, ALCOHOL, TOBACCO, TATTOOS (must be covered at all times)

2) DRUGS (prescription / nonprescription medication requires notification of the Camp Nurse)

3) WEAPONS (firearms, knives of any length, fireworks of any kind, etc.)

4) TV / DVD PLAYER / DVD’S / SECULAR MUSIC, SECULAR BOOKS and MAGAZINES,

5) COMPUTERS (only the office team, the leadership team, media dept., and those with special permission

from the Camp Director will be allowed to have computers.)

6) IPOD / MP3 PLAYERS Only allowed for use in one’s room / cabin during time off. Not around camp.

7) BAD ATTITUDE / GOSSIP / NEGATIVITY

Definitely leave these at home. 8) EXPENSIVE PERSONAL ITEMS Remember, PSR is not responsible for lost, damaged or stolen itemsyou bring to camp.

We'll see you soon!

~Jeremy


P.S. for all of our new staff, your first day-off will be on the 9th, 10th, or 11th day of contract. You should plan to pack enough clothing to last until you can do laundry.