just getting home from Germany, and it was a huge success!
almost 300 kids from 5 different bases joined us for a 4-day winter festival of bigtime games, meals, sports, and teaching sessions. here's some highlights:
Row 1: my actors performing one of our 5 Hobbit-themed sketches on the subject of taking a new journey. (i was pressed into service and got to wear the SpongeBob costume)
Row 2: pictures of one of my brother Rob's big event games...this one involving 4 color-coded teams squaring off in a Middle Earth version of capture the flag, complete with She-Lob's lair.
Row 3:
1) my brother Rob, helping in a skit as GandRob the Grey,
2) kids being led by an amazing band of local high school musicians. and
3) me with my amazing cast: college youth work students assigned to assist me for the weekend...they learned lines and rehearsed tirelessly so we could put a good-quality sketch on stage for each of the 5 main sessions, in tune with the message from that particular session. The kickoff always gives a little leeway for more fun, and included life-saving guest appearances by Batman, SpongeBob, Han Solo and One Direction Guy. From left: Nathaniel, Michael, Gin, me, Shaun, Jenessa (the camp director) and Julia. (not pictured is the equally-talented Connor Durr)
To the right: actor, chauffeur, go-fer, costume and prop designer EXTRAORDINAIRE, and all around woman of action Gin Hill stands beside some of the potato chips donated for the weekend. The retreat relies heavily on the goodwill of the local community, and the community definitely was up to the task. food was a highlight for sure.
what a pleasure to be involved, and to see kids not only beaming with joy from healthy fun, but also gaining understanding and becoming better people. a ton of work, but it was a highly gratifying week. Thanks to all of you for your generous support! I couldn't have done it without you.
