Cruise Across Camp Update

          The first annual Cruise Across Camp 5K was a huge blessing. This event was a fundraiser for our Leaders in Training program and we raised almost $12,000. We ended up with 115 and about 35 volunteers (pretty good, we think, for our first year). Many participants commented that the course was challenging (it includes a 1/3 mile uphill trail gaining 500 feet in elevation), but the views at the top were totally worth it!

            A huge highlight of this event was having twenty fifth graders participate from World Impact's school in South Central Los Angeles. Two of their teachers (who have both served on summer staff here at The Oaks) motivated and trained these inner-city students diligently for a couple of months. They all finished, with a couple of the boys coming in fourth and fifth place overall! Participating in this event was a massive accomplishment and ego-booster for these sweet kids. One of the teachers (a runner who recently finished her first marathon) said, “Watching my kids cross that finish line sprinting may have been even better than crossing the LA marathon back in March.”

            Thank you so much to those of you who supported this event. Your support is providing some really special teens with a life-changing opportunity. Next year's date is May 11, 2013! Mark you calendars if you are local. We are hoping for 300 participants next year!

The starting line

Students and leaders from World Impact's LA school

The first mile

Using God's Creation to Bring Him Glory

One of the highlights in Spring at THE OAKS is Outdoor Education season.  A total of nine camps of came during April and May, ranging from fifth graders to seventh graders. So, what happens during Outdoor Ed?"

Here is a list of classes included in a typical camp:

·                          Tracks & Traits / Skins & Scales

·                          Edible Plants

·                          Meteorology

·                          Pond Study

·                          Night Hike

·                          Astronomy

·                          Yucca Rope Making

·                          Shelter Building

·                          Team Building exercises

·                          Hiking various trails in the National Forest

·                          Adventure Activities (Leap of Faith, high ropes, zip line, rock climbing, canoeing)  

Grizz during his fire circle presentation

The most important aspect of Outdoor Education camps is using creation to point to the Creator.  Every night includes an evening program at our fire circle amphitheater, with worship time and a presentation by a speaker.  One of our returning speakers this past season was Grizz, a Native American who speaks and entertains with Native American singing and dancing and a few stories. Then he shares his story of how He came to know Jesus, and gives an open invitation to anyone who wants to be transformed by Jesus' love. One night, seven people came forward in response to his invitation, including several fathers (chaperons). Later, Jared, our Outdoor Ed Director and full time World Impact missionary, had the chance to talk to one of the dads who had come forward. He had been deeply impacted by his camp experience at The Oaks, and had felt God working in his heart all week. 

Paul teaching a Pond Study class

campers during Skins & Scales class

Isn't that just how God works? The focus of our Outdoor Ed programs is on the kids, but God used us to teach the parents too. Never assume you know who you are ministering to; God could have a completely different idea in mind. His ways are so much higher than ours.