A Brief History of Tube Curling

Hey All You People!

Just wanted to send a necessary update on my adventures at summer camp...

Cabin 8, where I have been staying with the other Rec Team guys

Work here has been fun and challenging. Over the course of my time working at the kid's camp, I've had all manner of jobs. Originally, I was in charge of taking the kids and counselors on a hike up to the top of the highest point at the camp - which they have called Prayer Mountain - as well as leading them in learning some songs and dances, but then I was moved to the field games during morning activities, and most recently to the water sports! In the afternoon, all the rec staff go to the lake (pond) or to the pool, and generally take charge of activities, so I've also been a lifeguard at the lake. There, I started out in the general wading area, was moved to the small slide, moved to one of the big slides, and am now in charge of orchestrating the pedal boats and kayaks.

Whew!

The "Lake" - boats are the last dock on the right, way in the back

A lot of things and not a lot of things have been happening over the course of my stay. Besides my ever constant work transfer, I've been taking plenty of time to hike up the Mountain myself to go stargazing and to pray. It's one of my favorite spots here, aside from, of course, the lake. I've been going for a regular nighttime kayak run just to watch the stars and have some wonderful peace.

the cross at the top of Prayer Mountain

Every day that we have camp, we start off with the morning assembly, which includes the very intense "Interlude Dance" and we get the kids pumped for the day. Then come morning activities, lunch, quick break for everyone, afternoon activities, showers, and then service. All throughout the day there are times when the kids go to the tabernacle and get a lesson/talk with the evangelist Rev. Jay Risner, who also takes complete care of the service each night. In the evening, the rec staff works a snack shack where I serve up the ice cream, whirling spoons and tossing toppings into the air, which really impresses the kids.
My wild energy and bright demeanor have helped to make my camp experience great and everyone else's weird. I am also told that some of the 7-12 year old campers have harbored crushes for "Jonathon the Majestic Lifeguard" (you have to know that I almost died laughing when I heard that and still can't really believe that a little girl even knew of the word "majestic"). Luckily, I'm not the only boy on staff, so I don't get all the attention, and we all have fun with our jobs.

On the weekends, we just kind of hang out and do stuff. There are no kids, so we just have to wait until Monday and have all the free time we want. We've gone out to Fredricksburg, went to the Rock Box Theater to see a nostalgic rock show (featuring performances by Cher, the Monkees, Buddy Holly, Aritha Franklin, and a visit by Deputy Barney Fife), and went tubing, among other things. I finally got to try my hand at painting a simple picture (with the help of my host, Victoria!) and now I'm excited to start painting more. Yesterday we played a great game of kickball and then all went swimming in the pool until late.
There are several water slides at the lake as well, but unfortunately during the weekends, they turn them off. However, we've found a way to use them anyway, and as a result I have invented a new sport...

So, using three hoses, we have managed to stretch a water source all the way up to the top of the biggest (and best) water slide, the South Texas Chili Pepper. It is almost as effective as with the water pump, and we had fun with that for a while, but it only leaves a small sliver of water down the middle with bare slide on both sides, which affect the inner tube's path.

Enter me.

So, I thought that if there was some way to put more water on the slide, it would work, even if it was just creating more surface water. So I got the brilliant idea to carry the water hose down with me and spray the slide in front of the tube as I went down. It was super effective! And in fact, I discovered that how and where I sprayed effected the trajectory of the tube, including spin, speed, and sometimes the pitch of the entrance into the water. The goal was to hit the water as straight as possible with the best entrance and the farthest ski across the water. Thus, tube curling was born.

Hehehe, good times...

It's weird for me now, feeling in a way at home out here and yet knowing that I haven't set foot in my house since the beginning of May this year. I guess that part of me still recognizes that I'm on the road, even though I have a bed to sleep in. Well, this isn't even the end of my adventures. It will still be a long time before I get back and I have a few more stops along the way. Then, when I finally get wherever I'm going, I still have more to go. I doubt my adventure will ever be over.

I'm Jonathon, and this is my life.




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A Letter from Camp

Kid's Camp Staff and Crew 2012

Dear Friends,

I’m sending this update from the first summer camp I have been to in years! I am at Hill Country Camp near a town called Kerrville, Texas, and I’m on the rec staff for this year’s Christian Kid’s Camp put on by the United Assemblies of God.

As you all know, when I arrived in the U.S., it was a bit of a mad dash to get ready for the next stop on my never-ending summer adventures. I traded my trusty pack for a duffle bag and my sleeping bag for a full set of sheets and a pillow...

Midday this past Wednesday, I arrived in Houston where the Fee family picked me up at the airport. I met their daughter Victoria several years ago and she was the one who convinced me to try out working at the Kid’s Camp. I talked to the director Mrs. Tammy and got signed up to be on the three-week staff with the recreation team. So after a few days of staying with the Fees and resting, we all packed up and drove across the state from Houston to Kerrville and got settled into camp.

We’ll all be here for the next three weeks and have very luxurious living quarters. In my staff cabin we have a private bathroom, washing machine and dryer, satellite television, and a small kitchen. I can’t remember ever going to a camp where anyone had central air conditioning, but even the kids’ dorms have it. Well, in the Texas backcountry heat, I suppose it’s quite nice.

So, we’re not roughing it out here, to say the least, but we are certainly staying busy!

Kid’s camp just started on Monday and I am working hard to catch up on the experience and learn the ropes. The three week rec staff is headed by Shaenelle, a career missionary in her twenties with a few years of experience handling the rec team here at camp. She has an easy-go-lucky attitude and a very go-with-the-flow way of running the activities and making sure that everything gets done. She’s fun to work for and a generally cool person. Already, we’ve been singing songs and being silly and painting our faces, and the kids are excited every time we come out.

Of course, the most important part for all of us is that we’re putting on a kid’s camp to help them get connected with Jesus Christ. The kids have fun and we try to keep them excited and energized. But more than anything, the goal is, I suppose, bringing the kids to start getting into really spiritually understanding God’s love. I pray above all things that that is the result.

I have to get going because I am lifeguarding the swimming area of the little lake (pond?) here at camp. Have to make sure that everyone is playing and staying safe!

I’m Jonathon, and this is my life.

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