SX14: The Pirate Tribe

So our camp started out today, and it started out pretty big.  It wasn't without a few hitches here or there, but the kids certainly didn't notice.  The Tribes were incredibly pumped up and excited for the week, in fact.  Nothing could dampen their enthusiasm!

In fact, here's Madison now, getting ready to board the bus for the first excursion - a trip to the movies.  This summer is notorious for not having much in the "kids movies" department.  When "How to Train Your Dragon 2" comes out soon, it will make a financial killing because there simply is nothing else out there to take your kids to see, outside of "Maleficent."  Of course, as this is a kids camp, we had to get the theater to arrange to show a movie from back in March, "Rio 2."  Madison enjoyed it - they all did.  We filled three theater auditoriums with our kids, and they had a great, great time with popcorn, juiceboxes, candy and a movie on the big screen.  And then it was time to return back to the church.

Seriously, the "Tribes" idea gets the kids all excited.  There are seven tribes, one for each grade that attends (starting with kindergarten).  Madison is a part of the pirate tribe this year, which is an easy one to get excited about - she's been practicing her "arrrrs."  She's also been wanting to watch pirate movies, and play pirate video games.  And, of course she came dressed with some pirate gear today as well.  

Mommy decorated her shirt with beads, and Madison has her trademark hook sign with her index finger.  She's ready today - everything is color-coded as well.  The pirates have the red bags, the scourge of the seven seas. 

The rest of the afternoon was dedicated to games, and an amazing service.  There was so much noise, so much energy in that auditorium.  Kids were into the music, the praise and worship.  They were into the message - and they were into the messy games as well.

It was a long night of preparation - and another long night after this preparing for the next day.  But it was a good start to an exciting week.  Some things didn't go as planned, or maybe not as well as we envisioned - but you wouldn't know a thing when you looked at the smiles on the children's faces at the end of the day.  Madison is having an unforgettable time, and that's what it is all about.