The familiar scenery passed by the window as we made our way north.  Blue sky, a few clouds, a breeze coming from the west all accompanied us to Big River Bible Camp.  We planned for 4 weeks at the camp, our daughter Caylea inviting us to help her and the team run staff training and 3 weeks of kids Bible camp program.  

Were we prepared?

Even though you pack, make arrangements for the care of house and yard, and pray, nothing truly prepares you for camp ministry!  We hustled out of the truck when we arrived at the camp.  The NCEM Annual General Meeting was about to start and we made it just in time to join the Zoom gathering.  Following the hour-long formalities, we decided to have supper in town at the famous "Third and Main" restaurant, which is an excellent establishment!  Caylea and Eric joined us and we had a nice visit to start our time off serving at BRBC.

We unloaded our suitcases, electronics, my guitar and a selection of footwear into the main lodge.  Securing our favourite room -  next to the mechanical room - we made ourselves at home.  I also stowed away some food from our own fridge to use up in the next few days.  I was excited and a bit apprehensive about being "head cook" for 3 of the 4 weeks.  Walter was eager to take stock of the boats, sides-by-sides and other areas he would be in charge of as maintenance volunteer.  

But first things first:  Canada Day festivities were our initial order of business.  Early July 1 morning, we joined the BRBC staff to decorate two vehicles and a canoe for the Big River Canada Day parade. Then we drove into town for a pancake breakfast at the town's recreation centre and got arranged in the parade order. By 11 am, we were on our way, about 14 or so of us riding on the back of the truck, on the trailer hauling the old aluminum canoe or walking alongside the camp van.  While other parade participants handed out candy, we gave out kids' sized t-shirts from Big River Bible Camp.  That was a big hit!  The parade route also took us by a senior's home - where the residents and staff were waiting outside for a view and greetings!  All in all, we circled the town in over half an hour and it was a very impressive turn-out of spectators and participants.

We had been given free coupons for the local "Pier 55" ice cream shop and so we headed there as a group.  On the way back to the rec centre, we stopped by the Farmers' Market, buying some items made by local folks.  It was fun to be part of a small-town, rural community again, as both Walter and I grew up in similar communities.  And then it was back to the camp to begin preparations for staff training.

Our niece and nephew, Rachel and Mike, arrived about supper time and so we had food ready for their arrival.  Rachel would be helping me in the kitchen for the next 3 1/2 days; Mike would help Walter with maintenance and lead some worship times with the staff trainees.  The younger folks took off for town again to watch the fireworks, which wouldn't start until 11 pm because of how late sunset and the darkness would be this time of year.  We opted for an early bedtime.

And then the real work began...