Youth Camps Week – Crosstalk Ministries Day Camps

As I mentioned in the last post, this past week was our Youth Camps Week at CTM.

I was privileged to have the opportunity of visiting both Junior and Senior Youth Camp, last Thursday, and led my Workshop on-

Knitted Bead Earrings

Instructions:-

Thread 13 beads onto yarn. Cast on 6 stitches (sts)
Rows 1-2: knit (K) all sts.
Row 3: Place bead, bind off (BO) 3sts. Knit to end- 3sts on needle.
Row 4: K all sts.
Row 5: Place bead, knit into front and back of next stitch (kfb), K1, 3 sts on right needle, 1 st on left needle. Turn work.
Row6: K to end, 4 sts.
Row 7: Place bead, kfb, k1. 3 sts on right needle, 2 sts on left needle. Turn work.
Row 8: K to end. 5sts.
Row 9: Place bead, kfb, k1. 3sts on right needle, 3sts on left needle. Turn work.
Row 10: K to end.6sts.
Repeat rows 3-10 twp times more.
Work Rows 3-4 once more. 3 sts.
To finish off, work knit 3 together. Break yarn, leaving a tail approx. 50cms. Long. Draw through remaining stitches then u8se to sew ear hook securely to top of earring. Sew in other end at bottom of earring.

I had a super time with the 6 girls who took part and was also able to visit with some of my Team Members and to distribute the Evaluation Packages.

I’ve since been working on the Church and Team Applications for 2012 and should have them up on the blog next week! What else have I done this week?

Well, I sent out the last of the invoices to host churches, and a few receipts for those who have already paid in full. With all the 2011 Supplies packed away, I’m looking forward to delving into the 2012 Program “One of Us” and beginning to look at ways in which we can incorporate all the great ideas generated by the Team Leaders so that Day Camps 2012 can be better than ever! One area we really need to explore is that of including multiple Program options to accommodate unusual Day Camp settings.

The Team Leaders feel that, rather than make the Program Manual any larger ( it already runs at approx. 100 pages , much of which is superfluous information for those working at the Parish level),we will focus on expanding the content of the Team Leaders’ Binder so that, once a Team enters into an unusual situation(-eg. awkward space in which to present the program, unique time-frame, less than 5 days in a community, etc.) they will be able to refer to a number of resources and suggestions so that the children in that community will still be able to enjoy the Program and receive all its benefits, regardless of some obstacles which might seem to be in the way of a more “Classic” presentation.

We are all excited to look at thses plans and incorporate them into Day Committee work over the Fall and Winter.

I have even been looking ahead to 2013, God willing, and would like to see a special project group working on creating new images for our slide show component of the Program “Luke Street” ( more on this further down the road!)

Well I think is time to sign off and leave you with this Week’s Recipe I’m going to include a request from my Pre-Camp Menus:-

Summer Ratatouille

2 onions ( chopped)
4 cloves garlic ( minced)
1 bay leaf
Saute in 3 TBSP loive oil about 5 mins.
1 medium eggplant (diced)
1 1/2 TBSP fresh basil (chopped;or 2tsp dried)
1TBSP fresh rosemary (chopped;or 1tsp dried)
1 1/2 tsp salt
1tsp fresh marjoram (chopped;or 1/2 tsp dried)
Add, cover and cook over medium heat; stirring occasionally, until eggplant is soft, about 15-20mins.
2 zucchini (diced)
2 green peppers (cut in stripsa)
1can/500ml diced tomatoes

Add and simmer until peppers and zuccinin are tender, about 10mins. Serve with a crisp baguette and a bowl of grated cheddar ,for sprinkling on top.

Serves 4-6