Those who stand for nothing fall for anything.
—Alexander Hamilton

The reward for conformity is that everyone likes you except yourself.
—Rita Mae Brown

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 are giving away an iTunes gift card every month!)

springhill stunt

Don't miss this month's stunt — Bubble Trouble ! Find someone to face off against and get ready for some good target practice and a small taste of summer water fun. Watch the video to learn how this stunt is done or follow the directions below.

1. Get your supplies together: duct tape, two Alka Seltzer tablets, two sets of goggles, two squirt guns.

2. Take a 3-inch piece of duct tape and roll it so the sticky side is on the outside.

3. Stick an Alka Seltzer tablet to one side of the tape; stick the other side to your forehead. Have your competitor do the same.

4. Fill your squirt guns and put on your goggles.

5. Stand back to back with your competitor; then, each take three paces, turn and draw!

6. The goal is to use your squirt gun to dissolve your competitor's tablet. The first to dissolve the other's tablet (leaving him or her covered in bubbles) is the winner!

talk about it

Nearly every day we are pressured to conform, to go along with the crowd, to make choices we would not be proud of or that we know would not please God. The people we hang out with can be powerful influences in our lives. So can TV, movies, music, books, family and so on. Think about the inlfuences in your life. What or who has the strongest influence on the choices you make? Do your main influences come from a godly place? Why is it so hard not to conform and give into peer pressure? Take a deeper look at what or who is influencing you these days. Are you proud of the choices you're making?

Talk about it with other SpringHill campers and counselors on the SpringHill MySpace page. Or, if you have another question you'd like to discuss, email us.

what you said

· 64% of you surveyed said that you gossip daily; less than 15% said you hardly ever do it.

· Why is it so difficult to stay away from gossip? Nearly 60% said that it's just easy to be negative about certain people; another 30% don't know why.

· The worst consequence of gossiping for half of you is knowing that you're sinning or disappointing God; 36% don't like feeling guilty.

· 50% said that you only occasionally have a difficult time sticking to your values; 38% said that it's difficult a lot of the time.

· Wanting to fit in is the most common reason you follow your friends even when you know they're doing something wrong; a few of you also note wanting to be liked and because it feels good as other reasons.

foolish or wise?

82_Fuchsia_SH_icon We make hundreds of decisions every day, some good, some not so good. When you're faced with a choice, how do you decide what to do? Do you go along with the crowd even when you know it's not a wise thing to do? Last month's survey showed that more than a third of Bounce readers give into peer pressure "a lot of the time." In this issue of Bounce, you'll discover why pressure from friends is so powerful, think about who is influencing your decisions and learn how to turn foolish choices into wise ones. You'll also find all the latest SpringHill news, great band reviews and a hilarious new stunt you'll definitely want to try. Don't miss it!

news @ springhill michigan

There's still time to register for Summer 2007, but majors are filling up fast! Check out the SpringHill summer schedule and the new majors for NewFrontiers. 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 register!

Share an incredible time at SpringHill with your mom or dad! Come April 27-29 for a retreat with your mom or May 11-12 for a retreat with your dad. Tell your mom or dad to check out the Parent/Child Retreats page on the SpringHill website for more information or to register.

Bring your family to SpringHill Family Camp over Memorial Day weekend, May 25-28, for an out-of-this-world bonding experience! Spend quality time with your family playing, learning, talking, growing and worshipping. It'll be the best four days you spend together all year!

Want to help SpringHill get ready for an awesome summer? Bring your family or your youth group to SpringHill for a Spring volunteer weekend between now and June 15. 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 Denae Durling at 231-734-2616 to register. Don't wait — space is limited.

who's in your fave five?

Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. —Proverbs 13:20

Recently a cell phone company has been promoting a special offer called "fave five," which allows you to make free calls to the five people you talk to the most. The advertisements ask the question, "Who is in your fave five?" It's an important question for life in general because the people we spend the most time with ultimately have the most influence in our lives.

Who are you hanging out with? Are you being pressured to do things that are foolish or things that are wise? The Bible, especially the book of Proverbs, has a lot to say about spending time with fools. Some of the dangers of surrounding ourselves with foolish people include deception, no knowledge, no light, folly, separation from God and ruin. On the other hand, the Bible says that hanging out with wise, God-honoring people can lead to life, knowledge, healing, honor, love, faithfulness and good things.

Think about this: Where are your influences coming from? Are the people in your "fave five" wise or foolish? Why do we often find that we are the "companion of fools"? What can you do to find wise friends?

a springhill counselor talks to bounce

82_Orange_SH_icon NewFrontiers counselor last summer, Chris Logan will be back at SpringHill for Summer 2007 as a Lead Counselor in New Frontiers. A junior at Western Michigan University majoring in business management, Chris talks to Bounce about good and bad influences and daring to be different.

Bounce: When you were in junior high, what was the most common reason you did things you knew you shouldn't?
Chris: Because of a need to fit in and feel accepted and "normal."

Bounce: Why does peer pressure have such a strong pull on us?
Chris: When we're growing up, we don't really know who we are and so we're constantly comparing ourselves and trying to match up to the standards our peers set. No one wants to look odd. The easiest way not to stand out is to go along with the crowd.

Bounce: Who is your greatest influence today?
Chris: My best friend. We help keep each other accountable. We challenge each other and help each other strive for integrity.

Bounce: What else influences the choices that you make?
Chris: The Bible. It has so much wisdom for how to make choices on a day-to-day basis. Following it is tough but I get the most rewards from it when I do.

Bounce: How do you influence others?
Chris: By daring to be different. I know who I am and what I stand for and I can influence others simply by not doing things. Others take note of my choices. I also try to be there for people and keep my door open.

Bounce: What advice do you have for students about how to keep from being negatively influenced by others?
Chris: Decide not to be swayed. It won't be easy but it'll have the best outcome. Also, pray over the areas where you're weaker. God will help you if you ask him.

now playing

The Healing of Harms from Fireflight: SpringHill counselor Khristen Shaffer is a huge fan of this female-fronted band that describes their unique sound as having hints of emo-core, modern rock and progressive metal. But it's the direct and selfless lyrics on this debut album that inspire Khristen. "They are never diluted or sentimental," she says. "Fireflight never backs down from their convictions or their beliefs." One example is a tune called Myself. Lead singer Dawn Richardson sings, "You woke me up and made me learn to love more than myself." Khristen says this song helps her see that it's important not to just get caught up in her own problems and disregard others' pain. Instead, she says, singing along to this Fireflight track reminds her that our lives are meant to reflect God's selfless love. To hear some tunes and learn more about the band, visit the Fireflight website.

barlowgirl Another Journal Entry from Barlow Girl: Writing songs about their journey trusting God and standing on firm on issues like purity and not dating, this three-sister band has been rocking the Christian music charts. A favorite of many SpringHill counselors, Barlow Girl comes highly recommended for their positive lyrics and their strong call to live God's way and be your own person. Read a longer review of this album and an interview with the Barlow sisters, Rebecca, Alyssa and Lauren. Or check out the Barlow Girl website.