This was Jackson's FIRST year going to camp!!
There was so much excitement counting down the days...packing up...and even driving there.
Each of his siblings made him a card to cheer him on...and Jackson, being the sweet brother he is, had a bit of a moment in the car.
But we were READY for the week ahead!!
I was in charge of this sweet group of fifth graders for the week.
We had SUCH a fun time being silly...learning God's truth...and growing together.
The theme of the year's camp was TABERNACLE.
Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.
Make this tabernacle and all its furnishings exactly like the pattern I will show you.
Exodus 25:8-9
Our job was to recreate a smaller version of the Tabernacle.
I worked on the curtains all week...with different groups of girls coming through to help paint and prepare them.
I kept a lookout for Jackson!
The boys got to assemble and build the actual structure of the tabernacle!
I think I got more hugs from Jackson this week than when I'm at home with him!
He struggled a bit with homesickness...missing his siblings and his Dad!
Thankfully, he had two incredible counselors that were kind and patient with him.
One of whom lost a towel at camp due to some Jackson-shenanigans...let's just say Counselor Kirk, we owe you one!!
I love being around some of my favorite kiddos for the week...
and sending pics to their mama's back home!
(Even though this guy took a pretty nasty fall...I was trying to let mama know 'He's doing GOOD!')
This was the curtain team.
None of us quite new what we were doing but we had such a great time working together.
This was our mad-dash painting to get them finished and hung to dry before assembly time.
In the afternoons, we took a break from the curtains...
and played some crazy water games.
Somehow over the last several years...water games have included shaving cream!
A camp tradition for the boys - a mohawk!!!
Jackson grew his hair out purposefully for Mr. Butler to give him his signature cut during camp.
And it looks awesome!!
The last day of camp it was all hands on deck to get the Tabernacle ready for the evening ceremony.
Completely finished and ready for the kids!
The final evening, each grade took their turn walking through the entire experience of the Tabernacle.
The outer court - the altar of burnt offerings and the bronze basin.
The most holy place - the lamp stand, the table of show bread, and the altar of incense.
And finally...the holy of holies with the ark of the covenant.
It was one of the most memorable experiences I have ever had.
The Bible study leaders were at each station reading Scripture and blessing us as we walked through.
The smell and the smoke...the colors...the sounds...tasting the show bread...
placing our offering on the altar.
All of the senses were engaged as we imagined what it must have been like to walk through this holy place...and to experience the presence of the Lord.
Jackson and his buddy, Louis Bash.
These two were pretty much inseparable at camp...and if they did in fact get separated you could hear Louis yelling, "Jackson Jimenez!!!" ;)
Thankful to have shared this week with this guy.
Even with a couple of disappointments and some homesickness thrown in,
I think he still had a good week at camp!
One of my most favorite parts of kids camp is spending time with these incredible leaders...
I don't get to see them often enough and I love getting to share camp with them!
Here are two videos they showed to sum up our week of Tabernacle Camp!
