October 13-15, 200
Family Camp 2000

Friday, October 13 6-8 pm: Arrival 8:30-?: Registration and Social Hour Saturday, October 14 8:30-9 am: Breakfast 9:45-10:45 am: Hula Hoops and Parachutes 11 am- 12 pm: Rachael Kroog presents "Hand in Hand- We Need Each Other"- a musical show with zoo animals 12 pm: Family pictures with zoo animals 12:30-1 pm: Lunch 1:30- 2:30 pm: Rachael in "Hand in Hand", Pt. II 2:30- 5:15 pm: Free Time or: Nature Hike with Don and Janet L. Hand Art with Janet B. and Becka 5:30- 6 pm: Dinner 7-8 pm: Millenium Dance in Halloween costumes 8-9 pm: Campfire with S'mores

Sunday, October 15 7-9:30 am: "Early Risers Make Your Own Breakfast" 9:15- 10:15 am: "Hand in Hand Family Liturgy" 10:30- 11am: Brunch 11:30-?: Checkout and tearful goodbyes Firewood carts served as gear and kid hauling utilities/toys.

My family had the time of their lives this year at family camp! The theme was: "Hand in Hand - We Need Each Other". Hands of all sizes were busy enjoying themselves and hooking up with new and old friends during this celebration of friends and family.

Arrival, check in, and unloading went mostly well. The few mix ups got solved quite well by Karen Wendt. Thanks for the patient and jovial attitudes of the families who were moved. Then there were the 3 families who spent the first night roughing it with no running water. True back woods campers!!!

The kids had a great time playing in the Rec hall after unpacking. The adults had a warm fire to sit by as their kids begin the process of attacking the snacks in the "Grazing Room". And, of course, the first night in new beds is much too exciting for an easy evening to bed.

After a tasty breakfast we were off to play Parachutes and Hula hoops. My family's favorite game was a twist on musical chairs. Hula hoops were there to jump in when the music stopped, and one was removed each time until there were just two. I had no idea that many people could fit inside one hoop!! Feet were even upside down.

Rachael Kroog as always is very captivating. I even wanted to hold the hand of the porcupine! We do lend a big hand in the lives of all the critters, and I hope our hands will help keep them healthy and natural for the enjoyment of generations to come. Many kids had a hand on the snake outdoors for the group picture with Rachael.

Don Dehn, Janet Larson, and Janet Brown did an excellent job with hand and hand on activities! It was a great day to hike in the woods and pick up treasures. Many families will be growing new little oak trees. The pictures of the "hands off poison ivy" were so cool. I'm looking forward to borrowing some of the books that Janet displayed to read to the kids. Many hands made shapes for family wreaths to decorate houses. One set even turned into reindeer horns. How she got them out of her hair I probably will never know, but I did see them later on the cabin sign.

Rachael's brought real snake skin, bird feathers, little critter bones from an owl pellet, and porcupine quills to add to art projects. I survived my repulsion of snakes and helped with the kids gluing their creative creations. Yes, my daughter was one of the ones that had hands on the snake. I did not pass on my fear.

The dance was a real hit with the goblins and ghouls. The popular music and light show were just perfect. Joel O'Keefe acted as disc jockey and emcee as well as resident Green Bay Packer fan. Hands were definitely together in the gym.

The campfires were warm and refreshing with a touch of the sticky and tasty. A few marshmallows went up in flames.

The family liturgy was very uplifting and brought us even closer together. Personal stories, laughter, tears, and hugs were shared. Despite two sleepless nights, bounds of energy spent, and junk food consumed, the kids were captivated.

Molly Dolezal, a truly wonderful person, spent the weekend with a great bunch of young adults. These teens lent a very helpful hand with unpacking, the campfires, and much more. They got to try their hand at the grueling ropes course. They faced their fears and tackled a tough but fun course in the woods. I do believe that they also had a dance in the gym after the campfires. Thanks to all of the teens who helped out!

Becka Watry stumbled across SJA in late 1996 4 blocks from her new home. Becka says, "I had been displeased with our church experience, stuck around awhile in hope to be part of change, and then left it for the Methodist faith vowing to return when my kids drew near the teen years. With SJA so close, we gave it a try, and found Saturday evening Mass to be everything we had hoped for! It was so family friendly. In the fall of 1998 we were ready to join the church, and I became a Sunday School Teacher. We found Sunday Mass to be even more dynamic. I continue to teach Sunday School, and help out with Camp StJoans, 1st Communion, and Family Camp. Thanks SJA!"

We cannot wait until next year to do this again. Thank you to the committee for making it such a great success. Thank you to all the families who made this a fun weekend. See ya in church.

Family handprints and more!	Keeping the balls in the air!
The Saturday Evening Millenium Dance!	Breakfast Family Style!
How many people can fit inside one hulahoop!	A bunny in the "Parade of Costumes"!
Many kids planted acorns with Janet L.!	Liturgy was led by an SCC including their kids!
Peggy Woodling, Lauren Jansen, and Tom Woodling(L to R) add to the Liturgy. (Photos by Michele Jansen)
The stars of the weekend were the animals like the chinchilla and the hedgehog!(and Rachael too!)