Camp Refúgio Update

Some of the boys that were at our last camp trying to complete
one of the team building obstacles named "Bridge Out.".

Well, we’ve finished a few more pieces to our obstacle course (a.k.a. Desafio de Selva-  The Jungle Challenge). Last Winter we finished the first 12 pieces of the course (You can see pics by clicking HERE) and this past Summer hundreds of kids went through the course (with no injuries, haha) and had a blast! So at the end of the Summer (April 2013’- remember, our seasons here are opposite of the seasons in the US) we decided to build a couple more obstacles. In April we finished the Jungle Pyramid, last week we completed the Giant Jungle Monkey Bars and this week we completed “The Rope Climb” obstacle.

The new "Giant Monkey Bars" with the "Jungle Pyramid" in
the background as the pond begins to fill-up after construction.

This is the way they work:

After the teams go through the main portion of the obstacle course and ride the zip-line to the other side of the pond known as “The Snake Pit” each team member must then make a decision... either swing underneath on the Monkey Bars (across the pond to the other side) and earn 3 points for their team or they can go across the top (to the other side) and earn 1 point. Either way, their suspended 10’ in the air above the frigid-green-murky water as they make their way to the other side... and believe me, you don’t want to fall in: ) 

Testing out the "Giant Monkey Bars" before the camp starts this weekend.

Then, after all the teams get to the other side of the pond, each team competes against the other by racing (one at a time) up to the top of the Jungle Pyramid, ringing the bell, then racing back down to tag the next person in line (on their team), who then races to the top to ring the bell. Then, after all the teams finish, points for 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place are awarded. All the points from both of these events are added to their scores from the obstacle course. 

Two boys racing to the top of the "Jungle Pyramid" to ring the bell.

Matthew watching to make sure everyone rings the bell and that they are competing safely.

Another new addition to the camp is “The Rope Climb.” At this challenge, each team will race 100’ to the top of the giant hill adjacent to the pavilion using only a knotted rope. Each team is timed and 1st-4th place points are awarded. 

A view from the bottom as my kids tryout the new rope challenge.

The view from the top, looking down as Robert, Gabriel, Diogo and Anna begin their ascent.

So as you can see, God keeps allowing us to expand the things we can offer the kids here at the camp. We have a big camp this weekend and the first set of kids will get to compete on the “Giant Jungle Monkey Bars” and “The Rope Climb.” So we’ll post some pics after the camp.

Some of the boys that were here at our last camp 2 weeks ago.

As always, our main objective isn’t to just “show the kids a good time” or build this “cool camp out in the middle of the jungle”... no. Our main objective is and always will be to proclaim the Gospel and to tell kids about Jesus. So, as we build these things here at the camp, it’s all in an effort to attract more children and teenagers here so that they can be exposed to the Gospel. So please pray for us as we continue to make this our main endeavor. And if you’re one of our supporters who makes this all possible, “Thank you!”