Camp Tekoa

The same weekend we celebrated Don's parents big 50th anniversary, we joined Donna, Matt and kids for an adventure to Camp Tekoa outside of Charlotte, NC. They go every year with their church and we joined them this year.
Team Tekoa...It reminded me a lot of the summer camp I used to attend when I was in Campfire Girls - Camp Mawavi, some superb childhood memories there. Just like then, we stayed in bunks in your very basic cabin, ate in the mess hall, took turns with camp duties, and participated in camp activities. It was a blast. We took more video on this trip than we have in a long time.

Only the kids and Matt were brave enough to go in the icy water...
They had special activities for kids.
Such as the blindfolded shoe game. We blindfolded them, stripped them of their shoes, threw them (the shoes and the kids) into a big pile and had them try to find their own. Hysterical. I was surprised at Grant - he charged right in. You can see Olivia in purple and Grant shoving the big kids aside in his search. Ben giving Grant a hand...Even more funny? The three-legged race.
Getting ready...Grant needed a partner and Ben, being a loving older cousin, took him on as a teammate.
Ben-Grant team, part 1...

Ben-Grant team, part 2...

They had a good run of it even if Grant did an early face plant and clung to the pole after the half way mark, clearly hoping it was the end. Towards the end of their run, Ben's competitive streak kept them in the game and he ended up nearly dragging Grant to the finish line even with just one shoe on. We couldn't stop laughing.

The activity highlight of the weekend... the ZIP LINES!

Nathan, Ben and Olivia were old pros at this (Olivia attended camp with them last year). I was shocked then that Olivia was so brave but even more shocked this year when Grant, all of age 3, stepped up to the plate.

And we aren't talking just any old zip line...this sucker is 60 feet off the ground, on a slightly shaky platform, run by a college student :)

Uncle Matt volunteered to help with every run that afternoon - all 50 or so of us that went.
Yes, it is that high up...A vote of confidence from Ben...Off they go... You will notice in every picture I took, Olivia's smile never faltered. I know mine did way up there before I leaped. Still smiling... I think cousin Nathan said it best: "Young kids don't have the sense to be afraid." So wise for a ten year old.It is a long way down...Olivia went by herself...Grant did not. He didn't want to and we wouldn't allow it of course.We have video clips of the 60 ft runs but they aren't as good as the other zip footage below.

Success!The other zip line is a mere 40ish ft off the ground and above water. And WAY more fun. It must have been at a greater angle because it was much faster. Olivia showing us how it is done...
This time Grant went alone. Getting prepped...I'm three but I'm brave...

No sweat! Cool as ice...Of course Matt, Donna, Don and I did it too.
Wheee... you will see Matt and Ben in the boat below trying to whack me like a pinata.

Me, post ride...At the end you slam into the stopper and great whisked back out over the water. The more you weigh, the bigger the slam and bounce. We feared Don would break it.

And in case you want an idea of how the ride goes, here is footage from rider vantage...


We finished the w'end with a talent show. And Ben, with more hutzpah than the rest of us put together, signed up with his dance act. It appears he was holding back on his talent though. After the performance he said if they had found a better song he would have REALLY rocked the house (not a quote, but something to that effect).
Ben, getting his groove on...


Great fun! I think this face sums it up...