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Camp Conqueror December 1999
In this issue:
Summer Camp is coming soon!
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Summer Camp
School been getting you down? Life not as exciting as it use to be? Playing Nintendo getting just a little too boring? Well have we got a deal for you! What would you say to 9 days, yes that's right 9 days, on the beautiful South Coast! That's right we're offering you 9 whole days full of action packed fun. Walking, swimming, abseiling, canoeing, team games, a concert, an iron person competition, beach side BBQs and much much more! And how much would you expect to pay for this fun filled, action packed holiday. $300? no, $250? No, $200?!!!! NO, $150?!!!! NO it's a low low $130!!!! 9 fun filled, action packed days for just $130. That's right $130. ThatŐs $14.14 a day! Just $14.14 a day for: Walking, swimming, abseiling, canoeing, team games, a concert, an iron person competition, beach side BBQs and much much more! So don't just sit there reading this. Grab your friends, grab your outdoor gear, grab your parents or guardian and get them to send you to:
CAMP CONQUEROR
CLICK HERE FOR THE APPLICATION FORM
DISCLAIMER: All material in this advertisement is original. Any resemblance to any well know and annoying television personality is purely coincidental. :) |
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Alas poor Milton Hilton, Well as some of you may know by now, the old shed at Milton is no more. Don't worry, all is not lost, a new shed has taken its place. This is due to the tireless efforts of dedicated Conqueror leaders, campers, friends and even their young children! So what's changed you ask? Well it looks much the same in some ways. Same type of sloping iron roof, same type of sheet iron walls, we even kept that same old door that we know and love, but now it's got a roller door at one end! There'll be a new serving area to accommodate the ravenous hordes wanting to be served dinner, and a new area to wash your plates. Not to mention it's a bit taller than the last one. Rumour has it that even the ladies are pleased with how the new shower arrangements are turning out <gasp>. It must be good then, aye! Alas so far the interior is fairly bare. HINT HINT. Any ideas, donations, stocks, bonds, oil rights, wouldn't go astray. If you want to contribute, get in touch with Rachel or send a cheque payable to SCRIPTURE UNION CAMP CONQUEROR, mark it "For the Shed" and send it to: Camp Conqueror Treasurer Hopefully this shiny new shed will serve present and future Conquerors for years to come.
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The Parable of the Aussie Bushwalker There are a wide variety of Aussie bushwalkers and this parable describes four types you may meet in the bush. Army Surplus Bushwalkers — These are like a guy observed at Glenbrook who, despite the generally open track, was using his machete to hack at every tree or bush in sight. He was dressed in army trousers, boots, belt, shirt and hat. Attach to the army belt he had a canteen and a first aid kit. A typical army surplus bushwalker will camp overnight but will not venture off the beaten track, or too far from the road or car. This is generally because the food they bring is unsuitable for carrying long distances. Trendy Bushwalker — These people have all the latest and best gear. They eat only freeze-dried foods. They look the part but keep to the tracks and only venture out on short walks. They look good and experienced but it's all show and there is nothing behind to back up what you see. Day Trippers - These people are casually dressed to suit the waether. The footwear will normally be running shoes but the more serious will have boots. They are dressed as you would imagine a bushwalker to dress. They keep to the tracks and respect and care for the bush and animals. They have a love and an enjoyment of what they do. The Fair Dinkum Bushwalker — These people don't necessarily look like bushwalkers. They wear old shorts and a shirt. Even in winter they prefer shorts, many wear running shoes, or more specifically Dunlop Volleys, instead of boots. While identifiable by their dress, the most important characteristic of these bushwalkers is that they don't just follow the track, rather they follow the map to where they are going and this may mean going off the track and negotiating a new route. This kind of bushwalker goes beyond the limits of the others because they have learnt about the bush, survival and finding their way. They can read the map and find a way to the sights and places that are beyond the comprehension of those who forced to keep to the tracks. These bushwalkers see and experience what is beyond the imagination of other but they must first get to know their maps and the bush. Interpretation of the parable In the parable there are four types of bushwalker and each of these can be paralleled to different types of Christians. The army surplus bushwalkers are very distinctive in dress and actions. There is no variety in this type of walker, they are all the same. These represent the narrow-minded Christians for whom everything is black and white, and every Christian should be like them. These Christians have little, if any, tolerance for Christians of slightly differing views, even when these differences have little if any significance. The trendy bushwalkers act the part and wear the right gear. Likewise the trendy Christians attend church, do the right things, have stickers on their cars, have good looking Bibles and they are good people, but that's as far as it goes. They only look the part, it's all show. They simply look good and do what they think is expected. Behind this mask is no real Christian faith. The day tripper bushwalkers are in many ways serious bushwalkers, however they follow others tracks. They represent the Christians who have a second hand faith made up of following others. This is like their bushwalking counterparts who are limited in their experience of the bush by the need to remain on firmly established tracks. They are genuine in their desire to follow Jesus, however they are held up in their growth by having a second hand faith that relies on other Christians through sermons and Bible studies. Full growth comes only through a first hand faith, accompanied by fellowship with other Christians. The fair dinkum bushwalker goes beyond the tracks to see sights beyond the comprehension of others, but it's a difficult trip. Likewise the Christian life takes discipline and at times is very hard, but if you want to go beyond where you are and grow, then you cannot opt for the easy way all the time. These bushwalkers don't just follow tracks. Likewise the Christians they represent don't' just follow other Christians. They have a first hand faith, they follow Christ, and the Bible which is their map. Their Bible is the ultimate guide, they spend time reading and getting to know it. The Monolith Valley in the Budawang Ranges is a small area surrounded by cliffs and mountains. There are many tracks "out" and often the best worn tracks are in fact the wrong ones, leading nowhere. In trying to get out many have followed the most worn track. After an hour or so of walking they decide to check their compass, only to find they are now well away from where they should be and have to do much backtracking. Following the tracks of where others have obviously gone before, instead of looking at the map, can waste much times and energy. Likewise relying on what others say without checking the Bible can also lead you astray. So what kind of Christian are you?
As Christians we need to learn to read the eternal map to keep on the right track. Do you spend time with God each day seeking where He wants you to go? This is the only way to reach your ultimate potential as the Christian God wants you to be.
Solution to Crossword No. 55 ACROSS:
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Winter Camp Report
"Once more they venture, To a land of snow and ice,
This year saw the introduction of a house as accommodation. For those who had been around for a few years, leaving the shed was a heart-wrenching experience and seemed out of the "spirit of Conqueror" to have carpet and mattresses. Before long though, all agreed th at it was a positive development for the camp, one that helped us develop friendships and be a bit more comfortable during the studies. The house also allowed for the "Great Conqueror drug scandal" which in turn resulted in one of the greatest pillow fights in known history. "Dem leaders are a mean bunch eh!" The snow kept up the previous few years' tradition of being good yet nothing to send a tacky postcard from Nuggets Xing home about. We had some great days skiing however and some great Winter Olympic sports near Guthega. It was there that Mark AKA "The General" AKA "Metamucil Man" Hadley masterminded a strategic masterpiece, gloriously carried out by Alicia who, by breaking an ankle (what acting!!!) drew the attention of the opposition long enough for the flag to be captured. First thing in the mornings and after dinner, we looked together at some of the Psalms and what they can tell us about God. The talks were very clear and many questions came out over what we were discussing. The big news for next year is that, God-willing, we will be moving on in accommodation again as Conqueror enters a new phase of Winter Camp. How can I resist cliches like "we are developing and pushing winter camp into the future-it shall truly be Conqueror for the new Millennium." One thing that shall not change is that the main focus of the camp will continue to be Jesus-nailed to a cross for the salvation of each of us. Even six feet of fresh powder, a clear blue sky and a bag of Trudy's leftovers for lunch pale into insignificance next to God's love and the death of His son because of that love. Another great year, you all come back now ya' hear! |
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- part 2 in a short series
The friends' explanation was not terribly acceptable to the house owner. "While you were gone, the local chapter of the bikie gang wanted somewhere to crash. Then the footy team had a big win and needed somewhere to party and celebrate. Finally, a group of drunks wanted a place to keep boozing after pub closing time." The householder replied: "What right did you have to let all those people into my house... it wasn't your
property to do with what you like. Didn't you think to say NO??"
Our hearts and minds are like the house. We are being assaulted daily by undesirable thoughts and by things we may
hear, read or see. We don't need to welcome them in. We need to practise saying "NO". " ... take every thought captive to obey Christ." - 2 Cor 10:5 |
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40 Ways '99 Report Well it was only 2 ways round the Budawangs for this 40 Ways. Phil White was Director, and as this 40 Ways was mainly for leaders, the line up was a short hike and a more importantly a canoe for the our intrepid, and also some of our new, soon to be, leaders. Base camp this year was the new Shed. Apart from rain on the first night and a few wandering slugs, it served us well. Our first day began with a sumptuous breakfast of Weet-bix and cornflakes, followed by delicious crumpets toasted over the fire. Mmmmm-mmmm. Good work Phil! Next we made our way out to Castle car park, dodging craters all the way. We plodded up the trail to the base of the Castle cliff-line, then followed that along and through Castle gap. John Vine showed us "the easy way" up to the top of Byangee Walls, where we proceeded to eat lunch and take the mandatory Conqueror photos. Fortunately Mark didn't get his "assets" into the pictures, so we might be able to put them on the website :). . Dinner was a culinary master piece, with sausages, bread and a crisp salad, followed by cake and custard. Bliss! Day two was the canoe trip, starting at Yadboro and heading downstream to Blue Gum Flats. Aside from a few large trees that had fallen across the river, which we carried the canoes over and under, and one up turned canoe, all went fairly "snag free". So I think can all say we are all now well prepared for Summer Camp. Thanks again go to Phil, for food and "direction", and John for showing us the ropes, paddles and tracks. |
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Conqueror Crossword Fear not fellow Conquerors, the crossword is with us still. Though this time it's hopefully a little easier :) . Did anyone who isn't involved in medicine get 10 across last time? Iatrogenic, Ee-at-tro-jen-ic <phew>, what a mouthful.
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The Editor would first like to apologise profusely to everyone out there in Conqueror land for the lateness of this issue. As some of you may know, or have guessed by now, the newsletter's "under new management". Things have been kind of hectic lately and there have been a few misunderstandings as to who's doing what and when. That and the new Editor is kind of known for leaving things till the last minute and then doing everything all at once in a big rush and ending up with spelling mistakes on the cover and other things like that. The Editor is also known for writing really long sentences without putting in the punctuation :) , and using Internet emotes :) . So with that out of the way, the Editor promises to try harder next time and hopefully things will fall into place a little better. On a slightly different note, Conqueror will soon have a website. You know, that new fandangled Internet WWW thingee that everyone keeps blabbing about. The address of the website will be (at least to begin with): http://www.uow.edu.au/~krudd/cc/ The down side to this is that the Editor is also responsible for this as well. He needs some help as he can't pull an entire site out of the air. So if you have any photos, stories, news, sounds, or humorous anecdotes, don't just sit there reading this, go, git!, send them to the Editor! To those that have contributed, we salute you!
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Editor's Notes