Achieve Camp 2011

A few weeks ago, we welcomed the first of the Achieve campers to Bighorn.  Achieve camp provides an opportunity for kids and adults with disabilities to step into challenge and adventure, while also learning about God.  The first week we had the kids camp and the second we had the adults.  It was an amazing time to spend with everyone!  It was awesome to watch the facilitators (similar to counselors) step into relationship with their campers and enjoy them for the people they are.  It was also wonderful to watch the campers really enjoy themselves!  I only got out with my camera during the kids camp, so here are some photos of the week.

Reaching the top of the climb!

Thumbs up for the kiddie zip line!

Hanging out on the playground

Puttin' a Roof on It

At the beginning of July, we got the trusses for the shop in.  Many people helped in the process of putting the roof on the new shop.  Here are some of the photos from that day!

One of Gabe's jobs was to hook up the trusses to the crane

Gabe showing a summer staff how to put on a nail belt

Gabe guiding the truss with a rope

Gabe in mid-hop

Jim and Justin on working up top

Guiding the truss into place

All the trusses up!

Tiger Lilies in Bloom

As I rounded the corner to our office the other morning, a splash of orange caught my eyes.  There in the garden next to the laundry room, the tiger lilies were in bloom.  I stood in awe for a moment in the morning light and decided I must photograph them to share with others.  I was busy working most of the day, but took the opportunity that evening to photograph them.  Here they are for your viewing pleasure.

Lightshow in the night sky

Last night, Gabe and I were on night duty at Camp.  During the evening a crowd of staff and campers gathered outside to watch a cloud to cloud lightning storm that was happening much further down the valley.  From where we were, it was utterly silent with no thunder, but we could watch the lights dance through the clouds.  It was beautiful, but finally the wind kicked up and left us in a flurry of dust.  At some point I decided to try to capture some pictures of the moment.  I could not find my tripod, so I struggled to truly capture what I saw, but here are the pictures I got!

Car driving by in the midst of the storm

Here the cloud lit up with lightning

The storm calming in the distance

Looking towards the other end of the valley

One Beautiful Sunday

This Sunday, Gabe and I went to watch a friend run a marathon and then attended a beautiful wedding.  Many of us at Bighorn went to cheer on Leanna, a Bighorn staff, as she ran her first marathon.  She ran the Missoula marathon in three hours and forty-eight minutes, just shy of the Boston qualifying time.  She looked exhausted from the race, but she was still smiling at the end!

From there a crew of us headed to Pullman, WA for Dustin and Beth's wedding.  During my year of Explore, Beth was my intern and Dustin was Gabe's intern.  We were surrounded by gardens of flowers, and they were even a few cats that added to the serene beauty of the sunny, warm day.  It was so wonderful to see Dustin and Beth finally get married!  From Pullman, we headed to Moscow, ID, where they had their reception.  There we dined, danced, and celebrated their union with many friends.  And, after a long, beautiful Sunday, we headed for home and arrived early this morning to begin work.

I sadly forgot to bring my camera along for our entire trip.  But, my good friend Timo Towne took pictures of the wedding.  Through his photography, I can share a bit of our day!

Beth and her dad

Praying over Beth and Dustin

Excited for the start of the wedding

Here is the precious flower girl

Some of the Bighorn/Prairie people at the wedding!

Gabe and Aaron being silly

First dance

Fun+Kids+Bighorn = Day Camp

This week, we have tons of little kids here for Day Camp.  Every morning the school bus heads out and arrives full of small campers.  As a staff we get enjoy these kids and do tons of fun things with them.  This year the theme is outer space.  They have been learning about the amazing creation of God that includes the far reaches of our universe.   In fact, this evening we will be stargazing!  If I can get my camera set up for night shots, y'all might get to see some photos of that.

This little girl was telling me about her day

Playing carpetball

These little guys are waiting to go to the store

Game time

Putting on the 'astronaut' suit

Trying to run in the suit

A celebration of the Fourth...Camp Style!

Here at Camp Bighorn, we celebrated independence day with a bang.  Actually with lots of bangs, kabooms, and sizzles.  I would reveal pictures of the amazing fireworks show, but Gabe and I actually were a part of the lighting charade.  We helped to plan and buy the fireworks, then we jumped into the no man's land of huge explosives and flying sparks to celebrate the 4th of July.  In less than nine minutes we set off more than 160 artillery shells and multiple cakes and settled with a finale that left you wishing next year would come sooner!

As is typical here at camp, we also had our annual softball game and pie baking.  To top the celebration off, the Stratford kids brought out strawberry lemonade that cost a whole quarter.

I decided to join in the pie baking.  With an ounce of uncertainty I set out to find a recipe for a dairy and gluten free pie.  Lo and behold I found one at http://www.thespunkycoconut.com/2011/06/strawberry-mousse-pie-dairy-free.html.  The pie went in three parts, I first worked on the crust the night before.  Then early on the morning of the 4th I finished the strawberry portion.  Lastly, I finished the whipped topping.  I was a bit skeptical about making dairy free whipped topping that would work.  The resulting coconut creme topping was far beyond my highest aspirations.  This being my first pie, it seems to be rather successful!

Two small fruit pies

One of the staff working on his crust

The head of Operations staff, Jim, dressed to work on his beef brisket

Little guy enjoying his strawberry lemonade

From Ireland to Montana, she came a long way for the fourth

Here is my Strawberry Mousse Pie!