Youth Camp

Am I getting that old? Several years ago I would have told you that 27 were still young, but after spending a week with teenagers, I am feeling quite old. A week with 27 teenagers, what was I thinking? Obviously, I must not have been thinking much at all.

No, I can’t be that harsh. Camp was enlightening and the kids were great. Being the “head Cook-Hines” kept me on my toes along with several minor problems.

Last Saturday we left the church at 7:30 for the 6 hour drive to Orange Beach, AL. Only we could turn that trip into 13 hours. 13 hours you got it.


Four hours of the trip were spent inside the Arby’s of Milton, FL. This was supposed to be a quick stop for a tire change on the bus. Only by they time they hit the exit, the bus was spitting and sputtering. Of course it is 3:30 on a Saturday. Do you know how easy it is to get help at this time of day? The shop guys were very nice but quick to let us know it would be Monday before they could have us on the road again. No fear, we can rent a car. Yeah right! Have you ever tried to rent a car at the last minute in the middle of no where? Easier said than done. After much trial and error we were able to find 4 mind size cars (for a small fee and first borns) and reserve them. During the car hunt the people of Milton began to feel sorry for us, and started calling around to local churches seeking help on our behalf. Then my phone rang and it was Debbie on the other end. Debbie and her husband were on the way home from MS but she was going to make some calls and have some one get in touch with me. Now, everyone (adults & kids) are saying let’s go get the cars so we can get on the road. Keep in mind the cars are in Pensacola which is about 30 minutes away from us. Not Laura Deen and I. We were living on faith; we just knew someone would come through for us. Then my phone rang again. It was Bob, my hero, the sweetest voice ever. Bob had not 1 but 2- 15 passenger vans and was willing to help us make it the rest of the way. Hallelujah! Bob was going to drive one and our bus driver Jeff the other. Bob was working on having Debbie and her husband meet us to drive the bus back, but worse case Jeff would have to bring in back and Brandon pick him up. The kids unloaded the bus. Loaded up on the vans and we hit the road around 6:00

The first worship service started at 7:30. We were sure that we would miss it, but again luck (or something a little better) was on our side and we pulled into the parking lot at 7:26. Kimberly (I have never been so happy to see her face) and two of the camp leaders were in the parking lot to greet us and pray.

A little off the topic of the trip but oh, this story has to be told. Needless to say I was more than excited to see Kimberly and the rest of our group and also anxious to get to Wal Mart for some food items (again head Cook-Hines here with 27 hungry kids). Anyways, Kimberly and I were having a great time. Worship was starting, the music was blasting and this may be hard to imagine but we were just a little chatty. (Remember maybe only 10 minutes had past since our group reunited with the 3 who had went ahead) Let me just say our conversation was important… we were trying to decide how long we would stay before heading out to Wal Mart. So point of the story, during our little “kitchen meeting” this little blonde headed girl turned around looked dead at us, placed here finger over her lips (in a rather snotty manner) and goes shhhhhhhh.. And there was nothing nice about it. I just about feel out of my chair in disbelief. The real kicker was when she turned around for a second glance of us. Kimberly just kinda sat there in shock, but I did think she was going to fall out of her chair when I waved back at this kid. About this time I think the girl realized that we were two adults not children.

Finally, we snuck out of the worship to be reunited with our new friend Bob. You know Kimberly and I never one to miss a conversation, killed a little more time getting to know our new friend. Brandon finally gave the now or never looked, so we loaded up and sent Bob into worship and invited him back to have pizza with us. We were glad he graciously accepted. Pizza was the least we could do for this man.

We survived our first of several trips to Wal Mart. Let me just say this Wal Mart left me less than impressed. It was about the size of our Sam’s Club, but they had nothing. The shelves were always empty when I went in there.

Needless to say by the time worship dismissed, we had our group meeting, unloaded our luggage, ate a few slices of pizza and everyone was off to bed. w

Surprisingly, we were up easy the next morning. Kimberly cooked breakfast (for us and our girls),we got lunch going, the girls headed out to worship and me back to Wal-Mart.

That afternoon we headed down to the pool. The lazy river was the best thing I had saw in two days. Again, Kimberly and I had plenty of entertainment.

I guess here I should write that after a great day of fun and worship we returned to our room reflected on the day and hit the sheets. Um, yeah, no, so not the case. Brandon was in charge of the older youth boys and Kimberly and I the older girls. Brandon was either very boring or we had a group of Mama’s boys. No sooner than we could get in and get settled they were knocking on the door. So, our girls and us minus Katie enjoyed some group bonding time. I can’t remember the last time I have laughed so hard and so much. Kimberly was even in the kitchen at 11:30 making chocolate covered pretzels and peanuts. When it hit that she didn’t have wax paper and maybe we should go to Wal-Mart and get some. Me, being the adventurer I am was all over a midnight trip to Wal-Mart. Somewhere in the midst of all this we went from Wal Mart to General Hospital.

For me there is nothing better than a good ‘ole practical joke. For some reason I thought it would be a good idea to play one on Brandon at midnight (let me just say he was still awake). Anyways, I told a couple of his boys to go back to the room and tell Mr. Brandon that Mrs. Ashley had feel, was hurt, and that he need to come right away. Now, before you go feeling sorry for him let me say it took him a good 10 minutes to get there and he even brought his bible and lesson with him. These 10 minutes brought plenty of laughs to our room. I got all propped up in the chair, got the girls to make me an ice pack and tried to ignore Kimberly. There I was sitting in pain, agony trying to make myself cry. All she wanted to do was tell me funny stories. The harder I concentrated the louder she got. Finally she goes, “Ashley, are you hearing me” I go “Yes, but I am trying to ignore you, so I can make myself cry”. I thought everyone was going to pee their pants. About this time Brandon walks in and in between laughter Kimberly starts telling him that his obsessive wife is up mopping at midnight and has done feel and hurt herself. Here I break into full tears, “Brandon, I am so sorry, I promise I didn’t mean to. I was mopping and rounded the corner and feel. My foot went straight into the wall and I think I have re-broke my foot.” Everyone, in the room knew it was a joke but at this point I am starting to convince them. Brandon crosses the room picks up the ice pack looks at my foot, looks at me and then throws the ice pack in my lap. Now, you have to know Brandon, he is the most laid back person in the world. It is going to take a whole lot more than a little joke to ruffle his feathers, but everyone was a little worried. Around 2:00 we finally ran the guys out and Kimberly, Kelly, and I curled up in the bed for another hour of girl talk.

Besides worship we filled the reaming days with a little shopping….. or maybe browsing would be a better word and a trip to the beach. Oh, the beach, it was heaven. Brandon’s cousin owns a beach rental business and had prepared a sweet set up for us. Chairs and umbrellas a nice breeze…..sweet!

Wednesday morning we loaded up and by 8:15 we were on the road headed back to Florida. Did we make it home in 6 hours? No, other 13 hour trip. A tire change on ‘ole Betsy the bus, a few rest for her, lunch at an “unforgettable” truck stop in I don’t even know where. At 7:15 we crossed the Santa Fe Rive, and I can honestly say I have never been so glad to see the “Entering Gilchrist County Sign”.

Until next year!