Philippians 4:13 says, “For I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” 

As I pray for each of you right now, every detail of camp preparation, during camp and after camp, I pray that you will remember this encouraging word.  

Dr. Curt Thompson encourages us to “put ourselves in the path of oncoming beauty,” because in doing so, God is “reminding you that he is alive and active in the world and is still in the business of creating goodness and beauty … and wants you to join him.”

I asked ChatGPT to give me a summary of the day’s headlines. As you might suspect, there was no good news no matter what perspective you might take.   

Jesus warned and encouraged us in John 16:33. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.  

The energetic, witty 13-year-old got along well with his camp counselor at T.R.A.C. Aloha and eagerly participated in the different activities. A week after camp, Sarah, the director, got an email. “Camden* can’t stop talking about camp.” 

Nothing makes my day more than receiving a screenshot of a text conversation like the following from a T.R.A.C.life mentor and his mentee. 

Mentee: I want to find God by the way. And you’re the only godly man I know. I know about him, but I really wanna know. 

Teen Reach Adventure Camps provide God-centered, fun, purpose-driven, self-confidence-building experiences for vulnerable youth. These foster youth have already experienced more trauma than most. They are commonly overcome with low self-esteem, anger, hopelessness, and/or loneliness. Their past traumas have caused them to be susceptible to abusers and those who want to use, abuse, or sell them. 

Connecting with teens start with the RIGHT MINDSET. 

SHIFT YOUR MINDSET  

Redefining teenagers by SHIFTING perspective. 

Recently, I was listening to a devotional, and this phrase struck me: He provides all that He requires of you. We serve such a good and loving Father. He asks us to do things for Him, but doesn’t leave us helpless, scrambling to figure things out on our own.  He equips us with everything we need to fulfill those tasks.

According to the Center on the Developing Child at Harvard, “Every child who winds up doing well has had at least one stable and committed relationship with a supportive adult.”

Some moments in life don’t go as planned, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t exactly what we need.  For my 50th birthday, May 2024, I had the incredible opportunity to ride a hot air balloon. I didn’t know then that this experience would lead me to meet two amazing people, John and Lynn Good.

Themes keep us focused and moving forward. At Teen Reach, this means keeping our Big Heavenly Audacious Goal (BHAG) in front of us, reminding us that our VISION 2032 is not so overwhelming, but achievable in steps.

Camper H arrived off the bus in Lakeland, Florida, wearing an oversized hoodie to hide the T.R.A.C. camper shirt. A stocking cap masked striking eyes. H didn’t participate in the first icebreaker with the other girls.

As a mom of two young children, I'm always exhausted, and it seems like there's never enough time for rest. Even when I don't have anything immediately on my to-do list, there's always something to worry about that keeps me from experiencing rest.

Creating margin is building in time for things that have meaning and significance in our lives. It’s creating space to fully experience events, to connect with others, to process memories, to grow, and to heal. It’s vital for our survival and health.

Christy has been volunteering at T.R.A.C. for the last 5 years—the first two as a camp counselor, and the following three as the Dean of Women. She is entering her second year as a mentor in the T.R.A.C.life program.  

Who knows if perhaps you were made queen for just such a time as this?  Esther 4:14b 

As I reflect on our CrossTalk curriculum this year, I can’t help but think of Mordecai’s plea to Esther about such a time as this. 

After being inspired by Jane Schooler at CAFO last fall, we wanted to read more about what she and her late husband learned over the years through working with vulnerable youth.

Meet John Blackson from Midland, Michigan, who started volunteering at Royal Family KIDS Camp 16 years ago. Wanting to continue serving the campers, he developed a mentoring program in 2017 and then trained to be a T.R.A.C. director. T.R.A.C. Midland launched the following year. 

Armin Houman once said, “Life is not measured by time. It is measured by moments.” 

The ancient Greeks had two words for time: chronos and kairos. Chronos is about making good time. Kairos is about enjoying the journey. 

Cindy Brewer from Orphan Voice served in Vietnam for 14 years and Jayne Schooler from Trauma Free World co-authored, Caring for Kids from Hard Places, with her late husband.