Planning Early

In our Back to School blog post, there was a little nugget about a future blog post on kids going to camp... I know you’ve been waiting impatiently for that update, so here goes!!!

In January (yes, winter), we started having conversations about summer camp. It really does sell out that quickly, so we have to start planning early in the year to make sure we get the dates we want, particularly for Camp McCall.

For several years, our fathers and sons have attended overnight camp together. We’ve also had some boys go to the week-long camp, and ONE TIME ONE OF OUR ORIGINS KIDS EVEN GAVE HIS LIFE TO CHRIST AT THIS CAMP!! He came back to Origins the following Sunday and shared this with me, and I cried. Camp McCall was one stepping stone in the story of this kid’s life, but the Lord chose to use that camp to make it real to him. Thank you, Lord.

Fathers, Sons, and Camp McCall

This year in 2026, Origins sent 20 dads and sons to Camp McCall. These boys talk about Camp all year long. I know this because I live with three of them. This year, it was my youngest son's first trip to Camp McCall, and he was PUMPED to see Chief Oogumboogum in real life, do the zip line, sleep in a cabin, and go down the water slide into Lake Chillywater. He even came home with a stuffed Otter that wears a tiny Camp McCall shirt (it's teal with white letters). It truly is a highlight of the summer for these elementary-age boys, and the dads are such troopers to take the time to be with their boys. I am not a dad, so I asked one dad, and he had this to say about going to camp: "There are no distractions while at camp (there is hardly any cell service), so that allows for good quality time, just me and the boys. Enjoying this time with friends makes it even more fun."

I won't give away all the Camp McCall surprises, because I know we have boys that can go this upcoming Summer! As a church family, please be praying for the boys who have not claimed Jesus as Lord yet. Pray that the seeds planted at Camp will also be stepping stones on their journey to eternity.

Our First Mother Daughter Camp

Our elementary girls this year were a part of our very first Origins Mother Daughter Camp. Planning for this started in March, and we decided on the theme WASHED. We gathered in July at the Hoover-Dempsey's and planned to camp out in the backyard, but the weather had other plans. The girls and moms spent one night sleepover-style inside! We tie-dyed, worshiped, prayed together, learned how to study scripture using the SOAP method, had a night swim, made s’mores, went for a prayer hike, and had some great fellowship among the women and daughters. We are already planning for next year!

At Mother Daughter camp, we talked about Titus 3:5 "He saved us. It wasn’t because of the good things we had done. It was because of his mercy. He saved us by washing away our sins. We were born again. The Holy Spirit gave us new life."

During the girls' reflection time, they had a heart drawn on a paper towel. We then colored on the hearts and that represented our mistakes, or our sins. We prayed to Jesus and then put the paper towels into the water to watch the 'sins' wash away! Jesus (the pan of water) chose to come to earth as a baby, and he died on the cross to wash our sins away. It is a gift to us because he loves us. We believe that he lived a perfect life, and we choose to follow him and listen to and obey his words. He washes our sin away!

It was such a blessing to be a part of what the Lord is doing in the hearts of these girls, and so encouraging to watch moms love their daughters and lead them and pray for them, and be a little silly with them :) (Ask me about the twinning show!)

A Special Thank You

A special shoutout to a few people who helped with Mother Daughter camp:

Abi Elrod, Morgan Burden and Lindsey Hoover-Dempsey for helping plan

The Hoover-Dempsey Family for hosting and providing a space for our gathering

Kelly Picardi for helping lead us in worship through song

Lisa Anderson for s'more's supplies

Lindsey Culler for delivering, serving, and cleaning up dinner

Liza Elrod for being a great sleep over chaperone

Missy and Chad Bryant for providing Lunch

Abby Taylor for helping serve, set up, and clean up lunch

And a special shoutout to all the moms who were not sure what they were getting into but for jumping in and being a part!

A Prayer for Our Kids

I just love our church family and I LOVE OUR KIDS. Lord, I pray that our efforts are pleasing to you and that you bring our kids to know and follow and love you all their days.