moving up?

Are you going to be in TST this summer? If so, check out The Well, SpringHill's newsletter for 9th-12th graders. Subscribe today!

We read that we ought to forgive our enemies; but we do not read that we ought to forgive our friends.
—Sir Frances Bacon

To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.
—Lewis B. Smedes

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play the game

Want to win a free week at SpringHill AND a great waterproof digital camera to record all the fun? Go to the SpringHill Game website to play the game and be entered in the drawing! (Plus, we’ll be giving away an iTunes gift card every month!)

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springhill stunt

This month’s stunt — Cracker Pyramid — requires some serious brainwork. Watch the video to see how to set up the challenge or follow these steps:

1. Get 10 round crackers. (Other small circular objects like checkers or quarters work, too.)
2. On a table, lay out the crackers in the shape of a pyramid or triangle, with one cracker on top, two in the next row, then three, then four.
3. Moving only three of the crackers, try to flip the pyramid over so there is just one cracker in the bottom row and four crackers in the top row. (In other words, instead of the pyramid pointing away from you, after moving just three crackers, the pyramid should point towards you.)

Think you have it? Check next month’s issue of The Hopper to see if you are right!

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talk about it

Conflict is a huge part of life. Hardly a day goes by when we don’t experience it. In fact, a lot of our need to forgive and be forgiven comes out of the way that we (and others) handle conflict. How do you respond when a conflict arises at home or with a friend? Do you shut down, avoid the situation completely, shout it out or go to any end to argue your point? Is there an issue that seems to regularly resurface to cause friction with you and your parents or your friends? Could changing the way you handle conflict have an impact on your relationships and the issues that trip you up?

Share your experience and opinions! Talk about it with other SpringHill campers and counselors at myspace.com/springhillcamps. Or, if you have another question you'd like to discuss, email us.

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say something

1. Who do you have to ask forgiveness from most often?
Parents
Brother or sister
Friends
Teachers
God

2. What's the main reason you ask for forgiveness?
I feel better
I'm supposed to
Jesus forgave me
I am truly sorry
Other

3. How do you normally handle conflict?
Avoid it
Try to make the other person happy
Argue and try to get my way
Get really angry
Listen and calmly talk it out

4. Is there anyone in your life that you have a really hard time loving?
Yes
No

If you do not receive a confirmation page after clicking submit, please click here.

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what you said

· 85% of your families volunteer or do things for others during the holidays.

· Nearly half of you agree that being with family is your favorite holiday tradition.

· The vast majority say that the Christmas story makes you feel grateful or in awe. A couple of you are confused by it.

· More than 70% of you agree that it’s easy to forgive someone who hurts your feelings when they say, “I’m sorry.”

· Who is most difficult to forgive? Over 50% say it’s yourselves. Kids at school and siblings follow close behind.

a brave new year

82_Fuchsia_SH_icon Bounce has a whole new look this year. And so does the SpringHill website — check it out! The new website design makes it easier to find out what’s happening at your camp, as well as important news, like all the details on Summer 2007, and fun stuff, too, like our hot, new online game. As for Bounce, deep down we’re still the same, with important real-life issues to think about (including a look at God’s view of things and interviews with your favorite counselors), fun stunts to try and all the latest news about what’s coming up at SpringHill. This month you’ll find out a lot about forgiveness as well as when to register for Summer 2007! So look around, click on stuff and let us know what you think!

what's happening at springhill indiana

Are you ready for Summer 2007? Check out the SpringHill summer schedule and the great majors for InPursuit. Then, start planning the week you’ll be talking about for the rest of the year! Be sure to remind your mom or dad that they can go to the SpringHill website NOW to create an online account to be ready when registration opens January 22 at 6 p.m.!!

Want to help SpringHill get ready for an awesome summer? Bring your family or your youth group to SpringHill for a volunteer day or weekend: Saturday, March 2; Saturday, May 12; or Memorial Day weekend, Friday, May 25 - Monday, May 28. It’s a great opportunity to serve at SpringHill and have a blast doing it! For more information, visit our website. Then, have your parents or your youth group leader call Pam Wilkerson at 812-479-0008, ext. 102, to register. Don’t wait – space is limited!

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forgiveness without limit

Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive someone who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” —Matt. 18:21-22

If you keep reading this part of Matthew, you’ll come across Jesus' parable about the unmerciful servant. Basically, a servant owed his master a lot of money and couldn’t pay up. When he was brought before the master, the servant fell to his knees and begged for more time to pay the debt. Instead of punishing the man or denying the request, the master forgave the debt. He totally wiped it clean!

Immediately after, the servant found a man who owed him money and ordered the man to repay him. Even though he had just been forgiven a huge debt, the servant showed no mercy on this other man who owed him just a small amount. As you can imagine, the master was not happy when he heard about what had transpired. In fact, he was so upset at how the servant had been unmerciful and unforgiving, he had the servant’s debt reinstated and handed over the man to be jailed and tortured.

Why would Jesus tell this story? Doesn’t it seem pretty obvious that a man just forgiven a huge amount would be wrong, even condemned, for refusing to forgive something small in return? And, yet, it happens all the time. Weekly, maybe even daily, we are wronged by others. But God calls us to forgive. Because of what he’s done for us, the lengths he’s gone to restore our relationship with him, how can we refuse?

Think about this: Forgiveness doesn’t eliminate consequences but it does change hearts and set relationships right. Is there someone you need to forgive? What holds you back? When you think about forgiving others, do you think about how God offers forgiveness to you?

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a springhill counselor talks to bounce

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A counselor for InPursuit this past summer, Kris Ann Snow spent every year before that as a camper at SpringHill, from the very first year it opened. Here, Kris Ann talks to Bounce about forgiveness and how she handles conflict.

Bounce: Can you remember a time when you had to forgive someone or be forgiven for something big?
Kris Ann: A high school relationship I was in ended on a sour note. I went through some stuff that I wish I had learned earlier and was humbled to the point of asking the guy for forgiveness and having to offer it in return.

Bounce: What did you experience as a result of seeking forgiveness and forgiving?
Kris Ann: I think there would be repercussions to this day if I hadn’t. I’m sure I would still be harboring resentment.

Bounce: What seemed big to you as a kid that now looks small?
Kris Ann: I grew up in a Christian home and I took a lot of pride in knowledge and having all the answers. Now I see that a true walk with God is so much more than knowledge. It’s a relationship with God and with others that really matters.

Bounce: How did you handle conflict as a kid? Have you made any changes as you’ve grown up?
Kris Ann: I was kind of a revolutionary. I thought if I took my stand and made a big stink about it, the issue would resolve itself. Now I try to be a better listener and show more love.

Bounce: What advice do you have for students about forgiveness or handling conflict?
Kris Ann: Look at Christ as the ultimate example. He shows us how to forgive others, even those who hurt us in unbelievable ways.

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now playing

Chaotic Resolve from Plumb: Although the lyrics of this Evanescence-sounding, female-vocalist have a lot to do with the mind of the teenage girl, SpringHill counselor Scott Michener says that the songs really hit home. “Plumb’s music is about growth through tragedy and trial,” says Scott. “We can all relate to that.” Listen to some tracks from the newest release Chaotic Resolve or visit Plumb’s website.

Oh! Gravity from Switchfoot: A favorite of SpringHill counselors, Switchfoot has made a strong showing with its December 2006 release Oh! Gravity. With a more ramped-up sound and full-on energy, this new release has more the feel of a live show than any of the band’s previous releases. Still, the message in the songwriting hasn’t changed, challenging listeners to examine their priorities through a holy lens. Read more about the album or visit the band’s website.