springhill stunt

This month's challenge is a great way to show your true colors and see your face in a future SpringHill enewsletter! All you have to do is have your photo taken this summer wearing something that says SpringHill, like a hat, a t-shirt, a sweatshirt . . . you name it. We want to see photos in the unlikeliest places, like your family vacation in the Grand Canyon or your mission trip to Haiti or at the bottom of the swimming pool! Then, send the photo to staystrong@springhillcamps.com and we'll share it in a future issue of The Hopper.   Watch the video to learn more!

i wish God would tell me

Dear Gracie,
I'm already counting down the days until I go to SpringHill. Everything else seems really boring by comparison. How can I keep the days from dragging on?
—From Waiting

Dear Waiting,
It can be hard to be patient when you're looking forward to something exciting. But waiting around is really just a way of wasting time, which definitely isn't part of God's plan for you. God wants you to enjoy each day that comes and find something meaningful to do with your time. Is there something creative you enjoy doing, like drawing, or something active, like soccer or swimming? Maybe you could find a local class or team to join or get some friends together a couple times a week to play or be creative together. Or, look for opportunities through your church or in your neighborhood to serve someone and make a difference. Volunteering is a great way to spend free time and it'll make that ride down the zipline all the more special when you finally do get to camp!
Love, Gracie

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

say something

1. Who chooses your activities for the summer?
Mostly me
Mostly my parents
I don't do activities in the summer

2. If you could add one thing to your summer, what would it be?
More free time
A week at SpringHill
A sport or sports camp
A family vacation
More time with friends
Spending time with grandparents or other family
Other

3. What is the main reason you get bored during the summer?
Too much free time
I don't get to do things that I like
My friends aren't around
I'm waiting for a fun event or week
I don't know what to do
I never get bored

4. If you get bored this summer, which of these ideas would you most be willing to try?
Find a new friend
Help out a neighbor or volunteer
Get involved at church (Vacation Bible School, youth group, etc.)
Learn a new hobby or do something creative
Get outside and do something active
Talk to God and ask him to show me what I can do

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what you said

· Who is your greatest influence? 56% of those surveyed say family; 22% say friends and another 22% say Jesus.

· 33% of you say that the influence you would be better without is negative messages from the people around you; 22% say fashion magazines or media that tell you that you don't measure up; another 22% say the wrong kind of friends.

· When you think about having free time over the summer, 67% feel excited and 22% feel creative.

· More than three quarters of you say that you have a good idea of what you'll be doing over the summer.

it's your summer . . . or is it?

Who is in charge of your summer? Do you decide what you'll do each day? Or do your parents have your schedule organized for you? Did you know that God wants to take charge of your days this summer? That's right, if you ask him what he has in store for you each day — even on the days that seem like they're going to be boring — he'll show you great things you can do! In this issue of The Hopper, we'll show you how to make every day count. And we'll tell you about all the fun and exciting things coming up at SpringHill — from Summer 2007 to our awesome new Fall Music Festival!! You'll find other cool stuff here, too, including a clever new stunt (that's really a contest that you could win!). Check it out!

what's happening at springhill michigan

Don't miss SpringHill Summer 2007!! Check out the SpringHill summer schedule and the new majors for Storybrook and Copper Country. 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!

How would you like a SpringHill experience without having to leave home for a week? If you've completed kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th grade by the summer, you could be in for an amazing adventure at SpringHill Day Camp in Novi or Auburn Hills, Michigan! You'll get five full days of awesome SpringHill adventures, new friends and super cool counselors as well as a chance to learn more about God and how much he loves you! And every night you'll get to go home and tell your parents all about it. Ask your mom or dad to visit the SpringHill Day Camp page on our website to learn more and to register!

Share an incredible time at SpringHill with your whole family! Come 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!

Will you be in 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th grade this fall? If so, be sure to tell your Sunday school teacher or youth leader about the SpringHill Juniors Retreat! Come to SpringHill with your youth group or Sunday school class November 16-18 or November 30-December 2 for a weekend of out-of-this-world activities, mind-blowing time with friends and God, and the heart-thumping music of K.C. and the Gloworms. Ask your youth leader to visit the SpringHill website to get your group on board today!

An amazing lineup of Christian bands will be coming to SpringHill for our first annual Fall Music Festival September 22 and 23! Bring your whole family to this awesome, fun-filled event that includes all your favorite SpringHill activities and three stages rocking with music all weekend long. Ask your parents to check out the Festival webpage for more details — and to register!!

what are you doing with this day?

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. —Psalm 118:24

How often do you find yourself with nothing to do? When school's out and close friends are on vacation, it can be hard to find things to occupy our time. When we're bored, we want to stay inside and watch TV or play video games or complain to our mom that there's nothing fun to do.

But God has a different view. God made each and every day and designed them all to be special and worth enjoying. You'll only have one May 31, 2007, and one June 1, 2007, and one . . . you get the idea. So, what are you going to do with this day? Try this: Each morning when you wake up this summer, ask God to show you what he has in store for you today. Then, be thankful for the activities and opportunities that come your way.

Share some questions and answers with your parents: What could you do to make each day special this summer? Why do you think God is disappointed when we waste our time? This is the only Summer 2007 you will ever have; what do you think God wants you to do with it?

springhill counselors talk to the hopper

Ashley Barbieri, who's finishing her sophomore year at Hope College as a special education major, was a Storybrook counselor last year and will be one again this summer! Finishing his sophomore year at Cornerstone University, Scott Dalton was on the Copper Country Trading Post staff last summer and will be back at SpringHill for Summer 2007 as a counselor in Copper Country. Both Ashley and Scott talk to The Hopper about how to keep summer from becoming boring and spend your time well.

The Hopper: Tell us about a memorable summer and what made it great.
Ashley: I went to summer camp when I was young and loved it! Making new friends and horseback riding were my favorite things.
Scott: The summers I was involved with my youth group and went to camp were awesome. It made me feel really special that college kids would care so much about me.

The Hopper: Why are you choosing to come back to SpringHill this summer over other things you could do?
Ashley: I loved being a SpringHill counselor. Getting to know my campers and telling them about God was amazing. I can't wait to go back!
Scott: Last summer I got to know God a lot better. Plus, I wanted to be back with the people who became like my family.

The Hopper: What do you think God thinks about boredom?
Ashley: I think God wants us to use our extra time to serve him and be with others.
Scott: Sometimes it's okay to relax and do nothing when you've been working or studying really hard. But God doesn't want you to waste time. When we do that our mind can wander and our thoughts can become displeasing to God.

The Hopper: How do you get out of a rut when you feel bored or feel like you are wasting time?
Ashley: I try to let out my energy by going for a run. I also pray a lot when I run.
Scott: I call a friend or do an activity that I enjoy.

The Hopper: What advice do you have for students about how to take time that's being wasted and do something for God instead?
Ashley: Call a friend and do something fun together, even if it's just going for a bike ride.
Scott: Get involved in something that's going on at your church, like a vacation Bible school or a service project.