The Best Non-Ghost Story Ever

Camps have campfires and campfires have ghost stories. But in this issue of The Hopper we want to tell you the best non-ghost story you'll ever hear. It happened on Easter over 2000 years ago. In fact, it's the reason we celebrate Easter today. Jesus rose from the dead! But he wasn't a ghost. His followers saw him and spoke to him. They touched his wounds and gave him food to eat. Jesus was really alive! Read more about it in this issue of The Hopper.

What's Happening at SpringHill Camp 44° 

Aqua mountain, Skittle Skattle battles, the zipline, sports, horses, rock climbing, the gusher waterslide, really cool places to sleep, friends and counselors who find their way to your heart and stay there - have you registered for the greatest summer of your life? Get all the details about a week at Storybrook or Copper Country on our website.

There's still time to get mom or dad down the zipline or riding a horse at one of our Parent/Child Retreats this spring. You'll have awesome adventures and spend some special time alone together and with God. This is just too great to miss!

4th, 5th and 6th graders - tell your church youth leader about SpringHill's fall retreats! At Camp 44 we'll be meeting at the Hill for two Juniors retreats: November 17-19 and December 1-3. Live bands, out-of-this-world activities, time to grow with God and as a group - it'll be your youth group's greatest event of the year.

Copper Country and Storybrook Summer Staff Get Psyched for the Season - An Interview with Matt Casburn and Ben Grohs

Gracie: When you think about summer 2006, what makes you most excited?
Matt: Hearing laughter all around camp!
Ben: To see fun and God in the same place.
Gracie: What is the number one thing you can't wait to do this summer?
Matt: Campfires! I like watching the counselors get crazy during the camp songs, hearing what campers learned that day, and finishing the night with messy s'mores.
Ben: Meet wonderful people. The water trampoline is also a plus.
Gracie:  What's the biggest thing a kid who doesn't come to Copper Country or Storybrook will be missing?
Matt: Number one, a chance to meet Jesus. Number two, a chance to be in a safe place where they can try new things. Number three, a chance to build a really cool relationship with an awesome counselor.
Ben: To know Jesus better. Sounds like Sunday school, but trust me, it's so much more.
Gracie:  What will be your role at camp this summer? How will kids know you?
Matt: Copper Country Camp Director.  I'll probably dominate on the six square court as well.
Ben: Head of the Storybrook kitchen staff. Yum.

Going Overboard for Jesus

"Then the disciple Jesus loved said, ?It is the Lord.' As soon as Peter heard that, he put his coat on. He had taken it off earlier. Then he jumped into the water."
-John 21:7

After Jesus died and rose again, which we celebrate today as Easter, he came to see his disciples while they were fishing. They couldn't believe their eyes! He was there on the shore waiting for them.

Jesus' followers loved him, but only one went overboard! Peter couldn't wait to see Jesus again. So he jumped out of the boat, into the water and swam toward Jesus. His friends may have laughed or thought he was crazy, but Peter didn't care. His love for Jesus was all that mattered.

Share some questions and answers with your parents: Would you have swum for the shore to see Jesus that first Easter day? Are you happy Jesus is alive? What do you do to show your love for him?

Do-It-Yourself SpringHill Adventures - Tip Ball

Okay, it's not the zipline or the gusher, but it's an outdoor activity and, compared to lawn mowing or weed pulling or whatever else you do outside, it's a lot of fun! Here's how it's done:

1. Get one or more people together. Find a sloped roof and a ball (a kickball or basketball work well). Decide who goes first, second, and so on.

2. Have the first person throw the ball on the roof. As the ball rolls off, the next person should jump up, catch the ball and throw it back on the roof while they are in the air. Continue to alternate players.

3. The play continues until a) someone misses the ball, b) someone doesn't throw the ball onto the roof or throws it over the roof, 3) someone touches the ground before they release the ball. For every miss, under/overthrow or landing, the player making the error gets a point. The person with the lowest score wins.

4. Important note: No interfering with the person attempting to catch the ball, gardens, cars or other people (parents/little kids) in the area.

If the game becomes too difficult, try using a smaller ball or allow people to stay on the ground when they catch and throw the ball. Have fun!

Springtime Riddles

1. What did the rabbit say to the carrot?

2. Why did the Easter egg hide?

3. What do you get when you pour boiling water down a rabbit hole?

4. Why shouldn't you tell jokes to an Easter egg?

(Answers are at the bottom of the page.)

Dear Gracie

Dear Gracie,
     Why would Jesus have let himself be killed if he was God?
          From Confused

Dear Confused,
     You are right in thinking that Jesus could have saved Himself. He could have escaped or made his captors let him go. But, if He had, we could not have been saved from the penalty of our sins. Jesus was willing to die in our place. And that's exactly what he did. That's exactly how very much he loves us and wants us to be with him. The best news is that He rose from the dead and is now in heaven, waiting to spend the rest of forever with us. So, rather than a tough, "I can save myself" God, we have an "I love you so much I will die to save you" God.
          Love, Gracie

Is there something you wish God would tell you? Ask Gracie.

What You Said

More than half of you believe in luck and almost all believe you're lucky at least some of the time.

Almost 90% of you believe that God has given you the strength to do the right thing in a tough situation.

As for Easter, 3/4 of you think of Jesus first and a small group admitted to thinking of chocolate bunnies.

Riddle Answers

1. It's been nice gnawing you.
2. He was a little chicken.
3. Hot cross bunnies.
4. He might crack up.