IFCA Indiana

Support Checkpoint Bible Camp

Wednesday, September 14th, 2011

Hey All,

We’ve had 4 great years of camp.  However costs are on the rise, and we are committed to keeping the camp excellent, and keeping tuition at around $100.  So, we need YOUR help.  If your church (or you individually) can support Checkpoint Bible Camp, would you consider doing that?  To learn how, click here.  (Its a big file, so please give it some time)

Thanks so much!

In Christ,

Scott Tiede, Camp Administrator

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A ‘Storybook’ Regional on Sept. 13

Wednesday, September 14th, 2011

Dr. Charles Petitt of Piedmont Baptist College was our speaker on September 13th at Christian Fellowship Church in Hammond.  Dr. Petitt challenged us to sharpen our preaching by sharing ’3 Characteristics of a Master Communicator’.  We are grateful to Dr. Petitt for his time and to CFC for their enormous hospitality.  Click on the ‘Regional News’ tab above to learn about our upcoming regional meeting.

Scott Tiede, Regional Secretary

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Camp Ends / Come Next Year!

Saturday, August 6th, 2011

Well, camp ended on so many positive notes that it is difficult to cover them all.  I can’t tell you as Camp Administrator how we’ve managed to find all the talented staff people that make this camp work.  Its either the zero dollars we pay them for a week of incredibly difficult work or its a God thing.  I’m going with God on that one.  I especially want to thank the ‘Senior Staff’ (we call ourselves that because we are getting old) – Justin Hutts (this is his last year at camp), Dan Nave, Chris Allen, Ron Smith, Ray Laborde, Jen Kline, and of course Captain Checkpoint.  We’ve started planning camp for 2012 already.  While snow is falling on the ground, we are meeting about camp.  With God’s help, our little camp will get better and better and better.

Thanks for coming.  See you next year!

Scott Tiede, Camp Administrator

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Camp Going Well / Pastor Justin Honored

Thursday, August 4th, 2011

Camp is going very well.  We had a great day today.  We had a little storm last night, but everyone stayed safe and dry (even the tent campers).  Here is the camp photo we took yesterday.

Camp Photo

The Middle School students made boats today to see how long they could float their counselor.  See the results below.  Don’t miss it!

checkpoint boyz 2011

checkpoint girlz 2011

We also took some time to honor Pastor Justin Hutts.  Justin is one of the three pastors who started Checkpoint Bible Camp and he is headed into the mission field.  This is his last year at camp.  He will be missed.

Pastor Justin Hutts

Scott Tiede, Camp Administrator

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Camp Begins! Please send mail!

Tuesday, August 2nd, 2011

Camp has begun!  We had a great first day of camp!  Registration was pretty smooth, orientation went by fast, our first meal was awesome.  Pizza!  Our first chapel with Kirby Huseby and Mark Carerra was amazing.

Registration

Jr. Camp Chapel

One thing that campers REALLY enjoy is getting MAIL.  Yes, mail.  You know, you write something by hand, put in in an envelope, and put a stamp on it.  Each day at meal time, Pastor Dan delivers the camp mail.  He has a very unique and fun way of doing it.  If a camper receives the postcard, he begins reading it out loud to the entire camp until the camper RUNS up to Pastor Dan and grabs it out of his hand.  Let me encourage you to do two things: 1) write your camper a postcard or some postcards today, and 2) write mushy stuff on it.  For example, “Dear Billy, lots of hugs and kisses from your mom and dad.  Are you still scared of the dark?  We miss you so very much!  Etc. etc.”  Trust me, it is a hoot and your campers will know you care!   The camp address is:

Camp Buffalo

Attn: CBC Camper (put your camper’s name here)

9400 N. Boy Scout Rd.

Monticello, IN 47960

Because of Christ,

Scott Tiede, Camp Administrator

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Last Minute Stuff for Parents

Saturday, July 30th, 2011

Ok, so you received the ‘Camper Information Packet’ a month or two ago, and you just can’t find it.  Now, camp is Monday and you are wondering, what do I need to know?  What forms do I need to bring?  What day is it?  Well, let me help.

1) Campers are to be checked in on Monday, August 1st, between 2 and 4PM (Eastern Time).

2) You need to have completed the release form and the medication form for each camper.  Bring those with you for check in.  (click on the names of either of the forms to download).

3) If you have ANY questions, or you want me to email you another ‘Camper Info Packet’, please call or email me.  219-204-2728 cell or pastorscotttiede@gmail.com.  Keep in mind that I am going to camp Sunday afternoon and will have limited cell coverage, but will have email access.

4)  Here is an excerpt from the camper information packet under ‘What to Bring / What to Leave Home’:

WHAT TO BRING

Bible, notepad, pen, BUG SPRAY, several changes of casual, modest clothing, one piece swim suit (no low back or French cut legs), bedding (recommend a sleeping bag, pillow, and a light blanket), soap, towels, tennis shoes, ball glove, a camera, flashlight, and an open heart.

WHAT TO LEAVE HOME

Refrigerators, radios, TV’s, tape recorders, media players or any other electronic devices (including cell phones), magazines, controlled substances, tobacco, knives, or any fireworks or firearms.  When it doubt, leave it out.

I hope this is a help to you…

At your service,

Pastor Scott Tiede, Camp Administrator

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Captain Checkpoint Sighted

Friday, July 29th, 2011

Hey everyone.  I know I am excited about camp starting on Monday!  I recently discovered what appears to me to be Captain Checkpoint walking through a wooded area.  I really hope to see him this coming week at camp.  (He owes me 5 bucks).

Looks like the Captain to me.

Scott Tiede, Camp Administrator

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Beat the Bedtime Blahs

Monday, July 25th, 2011

Having been in your shoes, I know that one of the most challenging things a counselor has to do is try to get a cabin of excited and energetic (at the beginning of the week, tired and cranky at the end of the week) little campers to bed by “lights out.”  AND not only in bed, but in bed, questions answered, teeth brushed, questions answered, showers taken, prayers said, questions answered again, and QUIET.  This is not a job for the faint of heart, and is difficult for any counselor at the end of a long, hot, and trying-campers-hanging-on-you day of camp.

So, before you step into that cabin of mass chaos, take a deep breath, say a prayer for patience and self-control and step into your cabin armed with these tips that will make bedtime easier…hopefully.

• Keep your voice low and your tone calm and relaxing. Raising your voice, showing your frustration in your voice, or even shouting to be heard will only excite your campers more.  Kids will take their cues from you, if you are calm and relaxed about bedtime, they will be also.  If you are uptight, anxious and loud, they will be also.
• Clearly and SPECIFICALLY state what you expect. All of us function better when we know what to expect and what is expected of us.  Keep your voice low and calm and state what your expect your campers to do.  For example, “I need for each of you to listen carefully.  You need to do three things for me.  You need to put your pajamas on, you need to brush your teeth and you need to use the restroom.”  It would even be beneficial to have your campers quietly repeat what you expect them to do.
• Give a specific time frame. As mentioned above, we function better when we know what to expect and what is expected.  When giving your specific instructions, include a time frame you expect your campers to have completed their tasks.  Take into consideration how much time you have before “lights out,” how many campers have to use the sinks/toilets, and that some campers just move slowly, before you state your time frame expectations.
• Divide and conquer. Divide your cabin in half, give one half specific instructions with a time frame and the other half a different set of instructions, with a time frame.  You can supervise one half of your cabin while your counselor/CIT supervises the other half.  This will alleviate congestion in the restroom and some of the distractions from other campers.  For example, “I need you to listen carefully.  We are going to get ready for bed.  This half of the cabin will brush your teeth and use the restroom.  This half of the cabin will get your pajamas on and put your clothes away in your suitcase or bag.  You will have seven minutes to finish your jobs.  Then we will switch.”  Quietly encourage your campers and keep them on task to help them be successful in fulfilling your bedtime expectations of them.
• Avoid attention-getting stimuli and things that will excite your campers. As the idea is to calm your campers before they go to bed, do things that are calming.  Keep your voice low (have you heard this before?), do not flash the lights on and off – this only excited your campers, if you have a double set of lights in your cabin, consider turning one off as a visual cue to your campers that it is almost time for “lights out,” (but don’t flash it), encourage your campers to lower their voices, play the whisper game (you can only say things in a whisper).  As campers finish their tasks you assigned them, encourage them to get into their bunks and lay down.  This will keep campers who finished early from exciting or distracting other campers still finishing their bedtime tasks.  Tuck each camper in, gently ask if they are OK and ready for bed.  This allows you to spend a quiet moment with each camper and make sure that your campers are all ready for bed.  Do not turn the lights out suddenly on your campers.  Let them know it is coming so that they know what to expect.

Piece of cake, right?  Well, maybe not, but keeping these tips in mind will definitely help you avoid some of the bedtime stress.  And if you are calm at “lights out” think how much faster you will unwind from your day and be able to fall asleep sooner.

If these ideas work for bedtime, would they work other times during your day?

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Grease the Mullet

Monday, July 18th, 2011

So I’m getting pretty excited thinking about camp! I don’t know about you, but my mind automatically goes to…

“Grease the mullet, Grease, Grease the mullet.”

And

“A doo-ba-da-bee, A doo-ba-da-bee, A doo-ba-da-bee, Doo!”

Maybe you start to think about all the friends that you are looking forward to seeing or the campers you will have in your cabin. My mind also starts to think about all the activities that are planned for camp – swimming, kickball, archery, canoeing, swimming, night hikes, swimming, the rifle range, and swimming.

As you begin thinking about camp, that is coming fast (like in 13 days), we want to challenge you to pray for camp every day until we get there! Thanks to those of you who have already been praying for camp. Let’s all commit to pray our way through these last two weeks as we lead up to camp.

We can be praying for three specific things:
• That we can bring God glory through each aspect of camp
• That each camper’s heart would be softened and prepared to hear and act on the gospel at camp
• That we would be a unified staff, committed to loving campers, each other, and God

This blog is a way that we can communicate with you as we make the final preparations for camp. By reading and participating in this blog, we can be better prepared for camp (and able to have more fun on Sunday and Monday at our trainings). Please commit to reading the posts and commenting as necessary.

So that we know you have received and read this post, please comment with your favorite camp song!

We can’t wait to see you all at camp!  Thanks for your commitment to pray for Checkpoint Bible Camp!

For His Glory,

The Senior Staff

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Registration Update Part II

Monday, June 13th, 2011

Hey all, here are the current registration totals:  the middle school camp is FULL with 25 campers.  The junior camp is at 73 campers, which means there is room for just 12 more campers!  Get those registrations in soon!

Scott Tiede, Camp Administrator

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