Winshape Boys Camp Closing Ceremony
July 3, 2009

Kevin invited us to attend a closing ceremony on Friday, July 3rd at noon time. If that sounds like it could be hot outside, you'd be right. Kevin is the Team Leader of the Shawnee tribe which consists of 4 cabins of 5th and 6th grade boys. Every two weeks he has a new set of boys and they have similar closing ceremonies. I wanted to share that experience with you.

All the boys come in quietly by tribe and sit on the ground in their respective locations. Family and friends are seated in large numbers in nice plastic seats (the smart ones in the shade). Above, Kevin is directing one of his campers to the right location. The kids can only say two words: HOW, if they approve, or WOW, if they disapprove -- that's it.

The Tribal Leaders sit on a bench separate from the campers while the ceremonial bonfire is lit.

One at a time the Tribal Leaders come to their boys and gather them up for a song and a chant that they perform for the parents. Every two weeks they have to come up with new ones and I've got to tell you that these guys are really creative. The lyrics are all their own but the melody is usually a popular radio song that they pick.

Kevin assembles his boys.

Don't you know that it's got to be hot around that campfire?!

The tribe is coming in close to Kevin.

They begin to sing. They did a wonderful job!

They move in harmony together and cherish this last time that they will see each other for another year.

As they finish their song, Kevin removes this feathers and starts yelling a chant that the boys reply to with as much ferver and energy as they can muster... pressing in tighter and getting louder.

They ended with all the boys simulating eagles wings above their heads. Man, that was moving!

When all the tribes were finished, Kevin and the other leaders introduced themselves and named the cabin and camper of the session for each tribe.

Rebekah works in the office every day and is not too far away from her groom-to-be. But there is a strict "no touching" rule, so I had to be quick with the camera and would just have to plead the role of loving father if something was said.

After the ceremony everyone dined on Chick-Fil-A sandwiches. After all, Winshape is operated by the family that started the restaurant chain. They are a fine Christian organization, and this camp is as much about spiritual growth as it is physical.

As we drove through the Berry College campus on our way out, we spotted some of the many deer that reside there all year, including several fawns.

You can tell that Kevin is right in his element there at camp. I'm so glad that he and Rebekah can serve the Lord and love on these kids all summer. Oh, and they are just five weeks away from getting married. It won't be long!