Over the weekend of June 7-9, nearly 200 Adventurers and their families, representing 20 clubs in the Oregon Conference, arrived at Gladstone Park to set up their camping areas as they prepared for the second annual Adventurer Family Campout. A warm, sunny weekend that would revolve around the theme Strong & Courageous, based on the book of Joshua, was ready to offer learning, inspiration, praise, and special family time.
 
On Friday evening, families set up their tents and RV’s, grouped together by clubs, and prepared to spend the next couple of days connecting and enjoying some great cook-out meals. The evening’s opening ceremony was sweet and simple, giving time for worship led by the Whipple Creek Adventurer Club and for the weekend’s guest speaker, Andrea Alexander who blessed the audience with both Biblical and personal stories.
 
Saturday would come to be a high Sabbath for our Adventurer families. It began with Adventurer clubs marching down Plaza Drive into the Holden Convention Center as kids waved their praise ribbons and staff blew their special trumpets. Clubs marched in with their custom banners displaying the club or church name, saluted the conference Adventurer director and proceeded to their seats as they prepared to begin the morning worship service, filling the room with over 500 people. During the morning service, all the Adventurers who had been baptized this past year were acknowledged, affirmed, and prayed over by Pastor Rob Lang of the North Pacific Union Conference (NPUC).
 
After lunch, clubs divided into six groups and participated in a rotation schedule that allowed them to participate in various interactive and age-appropriate learning opportunities together with their parents. Stations included a Bible-live story time, Bible verse word un-scramble, Shield of Faith lesson and craft, House of Bread lessons and tasting, Bible picture game, and the Prayer Warrior award. Throughout the afternoon, kids were given the opportunity to soak up spiritual lessons and encouragement. Following supper that evening, Sabbath was closed out together in the final family service for the day, giving each family the opportunity to have a closing prayer together before going out to enjoy the beautiful evening.
 
The various services throughout the weekend included Adventurers participating in special music pieces and sermonettes. Every child demonstrated that they were well prepared for their part and that they had spent time with their parents in that preparation. We believe strongly in training and preparing children to develop their talents to serve God and others, but also in providing them opportunities for them to put in to practice that which they have learned. A highlight for many of the kids was seeing their puppet friend Rusty. Rusty made appearances in the various services and was seen riding around in the golf cart at times throughout the weekend. Rusty is known for his stories and for his sense of humor and is loved by the kids.
 
On the last day of the weekend, kids once again were organized into groups and rotated through the campgrounds to participate in various fun outdoor activities. The activities included a mini rock wall, scooter races, archery, parachute games, large bubble making, and a bounce house obstacle course. After all the fun and excitement that day, everyone gathered in the Holden Center one more time to recognize our patch design contest winner, our honor clubs for the year, and our amazing directors. Such a beautiful weekend to end the Adventurer calendar year! We pray that God will continue to bless our children and families in the Oregon Conference, guiding them to be Strong & Courageous!
 
See photos of the weekend on Flickr…