Anvil Island Summer Camp

We got home recently from a week on Anvil Island at Daybreak Point Bible Camp. It was very different this year with a toddler, it was harder. I would almost rather do it again with a 6 month old than go with a toddler. We still feel strongly that we are called to serve at the camp, it’s not a decision we take lightly. Our rolls at the camp though have definitely changed.

Previously I have served as a cabin leader, in the kitchen, on the tech crew, and on the work crew. Jason has always served on sports crew. This year I went up to help with some child care, and to do a daily news paper for the camp. Jason stepped into a bit of a different roll by teaming up with a friend of ours to be the head sports crew leaders. By the middle of the week I found myself considering going home because I felt like I was letting people down, as a staff member and as a wife and mom. I was having a hard time finding a balance between doing the tasks I needed, and watching Evie. Evie was everywhere this time at camp. It was one thing to have her learning to crawl last summer, but her being able to run every where was another. I am so thankful that so many people were willing to help with her. She was also not alone as our friends are now the camp 1 directors and they had their son who is also 1 at the camp too!

After crying on my husband’s shoulders and some down time praying about it all; what to do with trying to figure out how to make the week work and not fail at my tasks. I got it back together and finished the week. I tried to juggle things around a bit better, and when Evie napped I went off with the baby monitor to go and finish the paper for that day, get it printed, and hand out it. Then I would try to help out where ever else I could during her nap, and even when she was awake. Thank you baby carrier, the Ergo came in very handy while at camp and the stroller sat pretty much unused this time. It’s much harder to be on staff as a parent, thankfully there are many who have done it before us and they were great sources of encouragement. I know many who have brought their kids, and even staff who have been going since they were a baby. If this is what God want’s us to continue to do we will make it work. It’s a learning curve that’s for sure.

This year camp 1 had a Continent theme. Each day was a different continent. One day was “Africa” and we found ourselves treated to a spur of the moment Lion King Broadway song renditions by the cabins in order to see who would get to go first for breakfast. In the evening many campers and staff members were dressed as different animals you would see on safari. Of course during the week there is normally a messy game of some sort. Tradition continued with a paint fight, but a tomato pool was introduced during another game which was new to our camp. Seeing the wave of tomato sauce go flying from the kiddy pool as campers went charging to it to search for hockey pucks was amazing. The fun never stops at camp and you really never know what to expect. The campers were treated to an outdoor movie at the newly completed outdoor chapel, little did they know that a staff member had been working very hard on a surprise for all of them. When the song “Let it go” started playing during the movie Frozen, fireworks started going off from a raft out on the ocean.

The staff put a lot of effort into everything at camp, and you really see how much they love this week! It’s not just all about the fun, this is a bible camp so there is chapel in the morning and evening. We had a great worship team this year who introduced some new songs to all of us. The music is one of my favourite parts of camp. The gospel was shared by two different speakers and they did a great job keeping everyone’s attention and getting the point across in a way everyone can understand.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

Anvil is always a great week. The staff are incredible, and the campers enthusiasm makes it even better. The campers ages range from 12 to 16. It’s such a pivotal age, that a place like this can come to be like a home away from home. It did for me when I was a camper.

Leaving on the boat from the foot of Denman to head out to Howe Sound and to Anvil Island.

This little girl was all over the place at camp. Eventually I just had to say let her go. Sure it meant some tears, and scrapes on her nose, but she did learn how to master stairs and so much more.

Canada Day at camp was celebrated with lots of flags, and a cake decorated with the national flag on it.

You can see her nose injury here from falling on the cement. Thankfully we had a doctor at camp!

Formal Night at camp was more of a Hawaiian theme, thus Jason’s shirt.

We headed home early by taking the speed boat across to Lions Bay, we were needing to get home, do laundry, and leave for our next trip. Next year if we go to camp again we will go on the big boat home with everyone as that is always a great way to wrap up the week. The majority of the camp ends up singing outside on the deck, its incredible to hear and see.

Other Posts on Anvil can be seen here and here.