All About SmugMug

It's Sarah here, the girl behind the camera this summer. I'm going to tell y'all how to see pictures of your kids while they're at HoneyRock by way of FAQ. Here we go!

First things first: what's the link to SmugMug?
www.honeyrock.smugmug.com/Summer-2014 

How many times is it updated?
I do my best to update Intro & Res Camp every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. High School programs (Advance Camp, 2:22, Service Team) are updated every Tuesday/Thursday. However, keep in mind that Advance Camp and 2:22 go on relatively long wilderness trips, so there won't be quite as many updates during those times. In Advance Camp, guys leave the first week and girls towards the middle/end of camp.
Assistant Counselors (ACs) also have their own gallery, so I try to pick out all of the pictures they're in to duplicate from the Intro/Res sessions into their gallery.

How is HoneyRock's SmugMug page organized? 
If you follow the link above, it will take you directly to our "Summer 2014" folder. Find your camper program by rolling your mouse over the boxes to see their titles, and click!
If you have to search for HoneyRock's page at smugmug.com, simply look to the upper right hand corner of the screen, and type "HoneyRock". Click "People" under the new search bar, and HoneyRock's profile will pop up. 

Where do I find the password? Why do we have one this year?
If you remember past summers, we didn't protect our images with a password. We introduced this safety measure so only the loved ones of campers can see our photos. If you check the email you provided HoneyRock, the password should be included in an email that was sent at the beginning of your camper's session.

Can I order pictures off of SmugMug?
Yes! That's the beauty of this site - not only can you view pictures, but you can also order prints directly to be shipped to your home. Easy! 

Update, June 25: 
You're talking about some email with the password - I can't find it!
We've been having some difficulty with our emails going directly to Junk mail - check your spam box to see if it accidentally got lumped in with those pesky subscription emails.

Why aren't there as many high school photos as Intro or Res Camp?
There are a couple reasons for this. First, Intro Camp is three times as big as Advance Camp. With about 165 little ones running around, it seems like everywhere I turn there's a new face to capture. Advance Camp has 51 campers - which means they are more spread out doing different activities around camp.
Second, Intro Campers are so much more inviting for me to snap their picture. Like the little boy in the picture below, they'll literally run by yelling "take my picture!!" which is AWESOME. However, there aren't many, if any, high schoolers that would do that. It's incredible to see how this changes from Intro up to High School - how the younger ones are so much more free, while the older kids are a lot more self-conscious. I could talk a lot more about that, but maybe in another post.
Third, Advance Camp & 2:22 go on longer wilderness trips where, unfortunately, I can't follow. However, your camper will have so many stories to tell from this time!
Fourth, Service Team & Assistant Counselors are so spread out on camp. Sometimes, Service Team even goes off camp to help out around town. I do my best to enable their counselors to get good shots during these times. Also, as I mentioned yesterday, Assistant Counselor pictures may accidentally get lumped into the Intro/Res folders.  

I don't see many pictures of my camper in worship or bible study or quiet time - why not?
In my mind, this is always a balance. Since HoneyRock is a place apart, and I firmly believe in keeping it that way, I don't always want a camera up in their face - especially when they're in the middle of worshiping or bible study. That's an incredible time of learning and growing in faith...the last thing I want is for kids to be distracted by me fumbling around with a camera and the "click" as the photo takes. At the same time, I want to show all parts of camp, allowing parents to get a glimpse of a "day in the life". I'm still working on finding that balance!

Anyways, while snappin' photos isn't my only job, it's definitely my favorite part of serving at camp. Getting out of the office, running around, seeing all of the smiling faces is the best part of my day! Here are a couple of my favorites from the past 24 hours.  

Cabin of Advance Camp guys, about to leave on trip!

Intro Camper, as he was running by "Hey! Take my picture!"

Intro Campers, about to play "Ninja"

Intro Camper: ""YEAHHHHH!"

Some of our cute little Daisy Chains.

Women ACs '14

If you have any other questions, thoughts or concerns, please leave a comment or email media@honeyrockcamp.org - thanks!

Disciplined Reflection: Challenge & Growth

Today we're hearing from Jake Roop, an Elementary Education major who just graduated from Wheaton College. After visiting camp last weekend, we asked him to reflect on his time at HoneyRock - he had a lot to say! We were blessed to have Jake on staff, not only leading campers in 2011 but also counselors in 2012. We're thankful for what God does through our counselors, the lessons they teach and learn in the summer. Read on to hear Jake's reflections:

Hello everyone, today I get to share with you part of my HoneyRock testimony. I have been blessed to spend the last two summers as part of the HoneyRock community. These two summers were by far the best summers of my life. To me, HoneyRock is, and always has been, a place that is conducive to spiritual growth and challenge.

This is the first summer in three years that I have not been part of the HoneyRock summer staff. But like many former staffers, I find it difficult to stay away from HoneyRock for an extended period of time. I have been very intentional about visiting camp this summer so that I can come back and experience the unique atmosphere that only HRC can offer. This summer, I am working in the Wheaton College admissions office giving all of the summer tours of campus. You can bet that I give all of the prospective students an extensive representation of HoneyRock during the tour. But I always want to give them more than just a basic description of HoneyRock, I want them to know about the challenges and growth that occurs there.

My biggest growing experience at camp occurred as a counselor in the summer of 2011 when I was counseling a group of 6th and 7th grade boys. My energy level was minimal and I felt as though none of my efforts were getting through to the boys. But God redeemed so many things within the span of just a few days and it wound up being the best session of the summer. I learned that no matter how empty I may feel, God is still using me according to his good purposes. Even when I felt that my efforts had been wasted, God was still using me to plant seeds in the hearts of those boys.

It can be difficult for counselors because they are only allowed to counsel for one summer, and few are lucky enough to come back and invest in those same campers in the roles of unit leaders, activity staff, or other staff positions. Therefore counselors hardly ever get to see the campers grow up and see their efforts come to fruition. This weekend, I was able to visit HoneyRock for the last time this summer. I was already feeling a little bit emotional because the trip may have been my last visit during a summer to HoneyRock for quite some time, when something unexpected happened.

Jake (sunglasses) with his campers at the Wagon Circle in 2011

I was able to see some of the Advance Camp boys come back from their wilderness trips. In my short time spent with them, I was overcome with emotion. The same goofy and crazy campers that I was able to mentor as a counselor, uncle, and unit leader are now young and polite men who have matured so much in the short span of two years and will be heading into high school. I spent so much time during my two summers planting the seeds and trusting in The Lord that He will bear that fruit.

This weekend, I was blessed to see that fruit. I am overcome with emotion when I think that I had the slightest meaningful impact on those kids' lives. What a wonderful feeling it has been to be rewarded with tangible signs of God's everlasting faithfulness and knowing that He is still perfecting what I did years ago. I hope that this story conveys the absolute joy that The Lord has given me. HoneyRock is a place that changes lives and I am blessed beyond all measure to have been associated with this wonderful place.

Jake (far right) and the 2012 Unit Leader Men

Camper {E}Mail

While our session 1 Res and Advance campers returned home for the summer, we welcome session 2 Res campers this afternoon! Know that even though some of our campers have left, we are still praying for their transition home. Sometimes, it’s not easy transitioning to your “permanent community”. We have a few suggestions for trying to make that transition easier. Interested? Follow this link.

Looking forward to our next sessions, we wanted to make sure all of you know about our camper email option! These are one-way emails from you to your child during the camp session. It’s a really easy process to follow, and it will make your child’s day! We see so many smiles from these simple letters.

Process:

1. Log onto your online account via our registration portal.
2. On My Account Dashboard page, click "View Itineraries"
3. Click your camper's name for current registration (attending)
4. On Registration Details page, click "Send Emails" to select a package and/or compose and send a one-way email.
5. On Attendee Emails page, if you have not already selected one of the email packages, you may add one by following the above steps. You may also invite guests (family members) to send emails.

Other Information:

• You will not be emailing a HoneyRock email address.
• Parents can view past emails sent to their children.
• Clicking on "send an email" will allow you to compose and submit.
• You may upgrade from any option at any time.
• All of the emails sent from parents are collected at 12 o'clock midnight and printed the following morning. From there, the letters are delivered to the camper, usually reaching them after lunch or by dinner. 

We also welcome snail mail and care packages! Take a minute and read our "Care Package Tips" for helpful information.

Camper's Name - Program Title
8660 HoneyRock Road
Three Lakes, WI 54562 

2:22 is in activities this week!

A Look Around Camp

Today we're just going to take a quick look around camp and see what everyone is up to. If you want to see more pictures, visit the Res Camp or the Advance Camp photo pages - Advance Camp was updated yesterday and Res Camp today!

Res Camp: The older Res Camp boys left yesterday on their two night wilderness trip, while the younger boys packed out this morning. They will all return tomorrow after lunch! The girls leave on their wilderness trip early next week, but tonight they celebrate "Women's Night", as all of the guys in Res Camp are out on trip. The girls will have a cake decorating contest as well as a time of fellowship in Chrouser. Pictures of this event to come Monday!

Advance Camp: Advance Camp women are still out on trip! We're excited to welcome them back into camp tomorrow. We just saw the Advance Camp men pull into camp after a long day rafting on the Wolf River. Tomorrow, they will make the much needed laundry run into Eagle River. This Monday and Tuesday Advance Camp groups will take turns at the High Ropes Course, working together to complete the elements.

2:22: We haven't heard much from 2:22, but that's a good thing! They have been doing well out on trip, working their way up and down trails and rivers. This was taken right before this group got in a van to get to their starting point. 

Service Team: Service Team spent last night in Three Lakes watching the fireworks. Today marks the last day of this week's job rotations, which vary from on camp to off camp kinds of work. We have seen them helping at out at the barn, putting on a new roof, chopping wood, starting kayak races at Olympic Fest...the list is endless! We're so thankful for how they serve camp.

Assistant Counselors: Week one of the first Res Camp session is almost done, and the Assistant Counselors are still going strong! The men are out on trip as the women prepare for "Women's Night" with their campers. They are all doing a great job leading their campers in Cabin Impacts, Camper Worship, Activities, and other aspects of HoneyRock. We're proud of the work and growth they are experiencing!

Visit the blog tomorrow to see a brand new addition to camp!

Unpacking Time at Camp

We'll admit, it is a little early in the summer to start talking about unpacking camp, but since we just had our first Intro campers return home, it's an important topic to cover. We want to share some ways to connect with your children after they have had a powerful camp experience.

Look at Pictures

We just launched our photo website where you can browse pictures of the session of camp your child attended, as well as purchase prints. Look through the pictures and let them tell you the "who, what, where, when, and why". While they won't know all of the details of every picture, catching a glimpse of an activity instructor or a place on camp can spark their memory of more details and start more conversations. Hopefully through these conversations you will gain a greater glimpse into their time at HoneyRock. 

Use Conversation Starters and Links

Below you will find two separate conversation starters that you can use to connect with your child on their camp experience. The first was created by HoneyRock parents while the second by HoneyRock staff. Click on the following conversation starters to begin great conversations with your children.

• Reflections on My Time at Camp (PDF)
• HoneyRock Camp Transition Home (PDF)

Do something active and/or let them teach you.

Maybe your child learned how to make a campfire or how to kayak for the first time. Allow them to show you what they learned by engaging in that particular activity. This will show them that you are interested in what they learned at camp. This method is particularly useful for children who have a hard time talking about things.

If possible, plan on coming to Family Day.

Parents and caregivers are the primary transfer agents for the campers. It is your role to help your children figure out how to bring the learning and life change from the temporary community back home (the "permanent" community). Coming to Family Day will help you experience what has happened in the life of your child(ren). 

What happens?

• Eat at a cook-out on the front lawn
• Participate in one-on-ones with your child's counselor
• Go to a meeting for parents to get to know the director and other staff
• Visit "open house" style activities for campers to show their parents activity areas
• Watch the Rodeo & Waterski show featuring campers who have worked in these areas

Why come?

• Learn firsthand what happened in your child's life this summer as you experience HoneyRock for a day
• Meet one-on-one with your child’s counselors, allowing you to hear about the specific ways that your child was challenged and grew while at HoneyRock
• Begin the process of connecting with your child’s experience and applying it to life back home

We pray the day will also deepen relationships with the Lord as experiences and stories are shared that glorify Him for what He has done in the lives of people through HoneyRock. Interested? Register here for your Family Day. 

Saturday Snapshot

It's been a busy couple of days around here! There are so many moving parts of camp at this point that we thought giving a brief snapshot of each program would be a good catch-up.

Intro Camp

We just said goodbye to our Intro campers this morning. It was a crazy fun-filled week of experiencing new things with our 3-5th grade campers: eating yummy meals in Chrouser, singing at Zacco, buying candy from the BeeHive, diving into the Word in Cabin Impacts, sitting around a campfire telling stories...not to mention the time visiting all the activities HoneyRock has to offer! Talk about a busy week!

Make sure to see Monday's post about how to unpack your camper's week at HoneyRock!

Strutting their stuff during this year's Olympic Fest

Res Camp

To all of our Res Campers out there, we are SO pumped for you to be up at camp and finally meet you! Our first session begins this Monday (click for drop-off details). The counselors are busy this weekend resting up, planning, and doing the much needed laundry-run into town.

Camper Worship - looking forward to do the same with this year's campers!

Advance Camp

The boys have been out on trip since Tuesday afternoon and will arrive back at camp sometime today! They will spend the next two weeks in camp where daily bible studies, activity time, group worship, campfires and more occupies their time.

Yesterday, the girls went rafting on the Wolf River! They made it back in time for the ski show and the cook-out on the lawn. They are busy today doing laundry before they go on trip this Monday. After a busy week of being in camp, they are ready to get out into the wilderness to experience creation and all God has to teach them there.

The "Protons" make a rainy day bright with their colorful jackets.

2:22

2:22's counselors just returned from their final training trip! This Monday about 60 2:22ers come to camp, ready to engage in activity areas, a wilderness trip, service opportunities, and delve deeper into their faith through daily group bible study, evening hot topic discussions, and guided personal quiet times. 

Service Team

Service Team spent their first days at camp doing get-to-know-you type initiatives with their cabins. They have also made the Olympic Parade epic, helped run our big Olympic Fest, and set up camp for our first Family Day of the summer. Service Team also turned Chrouser into an Olympic Banquet Hall, complete with real canoes, kayaks, streamers, archery targets and more for our Intro Campers - it looked great!

Service Teamers just left on trip yesterday, and will soon return! Once they are back at camp, job rotations will begin, working on and off camp to focus on others-oriented service.

Service Teamers ready to start Olympic Fest with the parade

AC's:

Our AC's had their first taste on life on the other side of the camper/staff line as they counseled their first cabins this week. JD, a long time HoneyRocker, remarked how great it is to go through all of the HoneyRock programs - a camper in Res Camp, Advance Camp, and 2:22, catching a glimpse of how camp is run through Service Team, and then making the switch to counseling as an AC. This is exactly what we love to hear! It's been awesome to see JD and others like him grow through the programs.

JD plays on the watermat with one of his campers

Stop back here on Monday to read a few tips about unpacking your camper's HoneyRock experience!