This summer Ryan had an opportunity to be part of a program called Leadership Live.
Ironwood Christian Camp in the Mojave desert is located in Newberry Springs just outside Barstow.
He was a part of the grounds crew and worked from 4 am to 3 pm Monday thru Friday, and 6 am to 2 pm on Saturdays.
This camp is western adventure themed, and is located on more than 80 acres.
The camp has lots of neat stories of God's provision. One story is about a company who wanted to come in and by a large parcel of land (about 100 acres) the camp however, also wanted to buy this same parcel of land. The real estate agents came out to see why this piece of land in the middle of the desert was in demand and if they could raise the sale price. Upon arriving, the company realized this land was no good for a golf course. The camp owners gave the real estate people a tour and explained what their camp did. They were so impressed, they offered to sell the parcel of land to them for one dollar. So they decided to name the area "One Buck." Pretty neat, don't you think?
This was Ryan's bunk for six weeks.
After work there was time for fellowship. This is outside the dinning hall.
This shot was taken from the back of the dining hall. These are some of the cabins. They also have a summer camp for young people. There is swimming, canoeing, horseback riding, zip-line, obstacle course, hiking, shooting, archery and water slide. Then there is lots of good grub, as well as spiritual food to feed the hungry campers.
Weekend activities included volleyball games, football, swimming, wrestling on the lake raft (the loser gets all wet :) riding atv's, town runs, hiking Soldier Mountain, enjoying the zip-line and waterslide..
The sunrises and sunsets were beautiful. There are more hours of daylight out there in the desert.
There was a week long training session. It included a personality analysis, to find personal strengths and weaknesses. The sessions also taught rules, regulations, procedures, character qualities that make a good leader, as well as camper protection videos.
Here the team is working on the zip-line platform which they built before summer camp started.
The land had to be graded properly.
Leveling the ground, and setting the platform in place.
More grading, so the zip- line riders don't drag on the ground as they ride.
The zip- line goes through the lake and you have to be an expert "tucker" not to get wet;
This is the dinning hall where they ate meals.
When your morning begins at 4 am, coffee becomes your friend; although Ryan said it didn't do much for him.:)
The camp receives lots of donated vehicles, which each have their own special quirks. They also have names for each vehicles- this one is named "Sasha."
This is part of Rivertown, they have a coffee shop called the "Pony Espresso."
They also have a "meetin' room and lots of indoor and outdoor games.
Here is the outside of the Pony Espresso; they also have a gift shop that has t-shirts etc.
As part of the grounds crew, the responsibilities included clean-up of overgrown trees and brush (they have some REALLY big thorns) building whatever needs building, like platforms, retaining walls, stairs, etc.
Here is an excited girl coming to visit her brother. The camp was 2 1/2 hours from home so we got to visit once.
They have a staff lounge to hang out in after work.
It has air conditioning, foosball, Ping-Pong, pool table and nice comfy couches for relaxing.
There is also internet connection, which is better at times than others.
Being private property, Isaiah enjoyed an opportunity to drive Ryan's car.
Here are some good helpers loading up our things to head home.
On this particular Saturday, most people went to a baseball game. Saturday night dinners are freezer meals. So here we are having a quiet dinner of frozen pizza and burritos. It's the company that makes the meal enjoyable, and we were so happy to be with our "Ry-Guy."
On Sundays they attended Faith Baptist which is just across the road (literally)
There were about 50-60 people every Sunday.
They also did weekly puppet skits, encouraging good character.
The team was also given an opportunity to play character building games. Here they are working on teamwork.
The teams were assigned and they had to figure out how to complete each of the tasks given them.
Here the goal was to take a picture with everyone off the ground.
This time everyone had to put their foot in a bucket ( they are almost falling over so Ryan is trying to hold them up.
Now they were supposed to be in a tunnel...
Take a picture in a canoe...
There was also time for investigating desert residents like this scorpion. (How else do you hold it?)
This camp is very well organized. It has all kinds of treasure piles in which you can find potential building supplies. The Lord has really supplied them with lots of neat equipment. However, being out in the desert has it's disadvantages. Like the old west there are desperados who come around from time to time and steal vehicles or other needed supplies.
Ryan had a lot of interesting opportunities. He learned to drive a stick shift on temperamental vehicles, rode off road vehicles, climbed the difficult soldier mountain, and of course got to hold a gopher snake (they only "go for" gophers :)
This guy was caught by a friend.
Here they were building a fire pit.
It was a long, busy six weeks full of fun fellowship and growth. When we came to pick Ryan up they said, "Thanks for letting us have Ryan this summer, he worked really hard and always had a good attitude."
Ryan, an experienced older brother, had an opportunity to be a prayer partner to campers, as well as an older brother to some of the guys. He has a real heart for young men, especially those who lack a fatherly influence in there life. He enjoys working in camp ministry and hopes to have the opportunity to do it again.
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
Galatians 6: 9-10
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