TBarM 2015

As if Pine Cove wasn't enough summer fun, Connor and Kaitlynn got to experience another similar Christian camp the very next week. This camp was sponsored by TBarM, and this was their first summer to bring the day camp option (similar to Pine Cove) to a local church here in Katy. We weren't sure what to expect since this was our first year with TBarM, but it turned out to be just as amazing as Pine Cove.

At TBarM, the activities are organized kind of like a sports camp. The counselors are called Coaches and the Bible studies are called Batters Box. The kids have fun outdoor activities like waterslides and rock-climbing, but they also have tons of games and competitions, funny songs and cheers. The kids always came home happy but worn out!

First day, what to expect? Looks like fun to me!

Silly faces on their first day before joining their groups.

The entire camp of kids was divided into 2 teams, Alpha and Omega. Connor and Kaitlynn both ended up on Team Alpha. All week long, the kids competed in various sports and activities for a camp wide competition. It made the week fun and exciting for all of the kids, and they couldn't wait to sport their team colors and gear.

Go Team Alpha! The kids wore red to support their team.

Yep, a successful day of camp!

Too cool for...camp.

One of the cool things I enjoyed about the TBarM camp was that I could view and download photos of the kids during their camp games and activities throughout the week.

Connor's TBarM camp group and his Coaches.

Sweet pic of Kaitlynn and one of her Coaches.

Fun in the sun!

Soccer time!

Kaitlynn and some sweet girls. She never has trouble making friends!

I'm not sure what this game was called but Connor was really getting into it!

Kaitlynn's group and her Coaches. Goggles -- must've been a fun game!

Kaitlynn's group.

Another pic. Kaitlynn LOVED her Coach, can you tell?

Wow, Connor's Coach was strong. Go Team Alpha!

Lots of 1-on-1 time with Kaitlynn and her sweet Coaches.

Kaitlynn's former cheer teammate, Olivia, was at camp too.

That's Connor in the head-to-toe red. He takes his competitions seriously!

Kaitlynn and Olivia during one of the water activities.

Group time.

Kaitlynn in her ninja mask for one of the theme days.

Another dress-up day and another day of Kaitlynn loving on her Coaches!



What a fun group of girls!

Love this pic of Connor enjoying the waterslide. Slippin' and slidin'!

But the photo of the week was of Kaitlynn...

My expressive girl, what fun!!

Similar to Pine Cove, the week of camp ended with a closing ceremony for all of the campers and their families. The ceremony was full of cheers and fun - it was obvious the kids loved every second of their camp experience! After the ceremony, the Coaches presented each camper with a certificate of an outstanding characteristic they demonstrated during the week. It's a really special time to hear about your kids and their spiritual growth.

The camp closing ceremony. I enjoyed some laughs!

Kaitlynn's Coach had talked to me after one day at camp, telling me that Kaitlynn had been asking some deep questions about her faith and the stories she was learning about in the Bible. She was learning and absorbing so much from her amazing week. When it was time for Kaitlynn to be presented with her certificate, her Coach had selected "Faith" as her outstanding characteristic, with the following verse:

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." Hebrews 11:1.

This really touched me for many reasons - mainly the ones that led Jeff and I to choose Faith as Kaitlynn's middle name. It really felt like a God moment to me!

Kaitlynn and her two coaches. SO SWEET!!!

And Connor's characteristic was "Alert." His Coach had written the following verse on his certificate:

"And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people." Ephesians 6:18.

A quick photo of Connor and his Coach.

Here's a quick video of Kaitlynn and Connor being presented with their outstanding qualities certificates at the conclusion of the camp week:





We were all so blessed by another amazing week of summer camp. I have to admit, due to our amazing experiences at Pine Cove, we weren't sure the kids would enjoy the new TBarM format as much. But by the end of the week, the kids were in LOVE with TBarM and telling me they enjoyed it just as much if not more than their Pine Cove experience the prior week. I'm so thankful for these amazing summer weeks of fun activities and spiritual growth for our kiddos. Can't wait to sign them up for next summer!