the camp hammer blog

Hello Friends!  I hope this blog finds you well (and DRY!).  We here at Camp have been experiencing a ton of rain!  There are brief moments when I am so tired of the rain that I forget just how beautiful this forest is because of that rain!

A few days ago Camp lost power for nearly 24 hours.  It was one of the first times in a long while that we have been without power for longer than a few minutes.  As dreadful as the power going out can be, I am forced to consider the amazing benefits of life without power.  When the power goes out, life seems to slow way down.  Because the power was out, instead of sitting around on our smart phones, computers, watching a movie or something like that, my family and I found ourselves sitting in the living room talking.  Now, this may not sound so crazy, but it felt so interesting that no one had their phone in hand, instead we just talked.  Even in a world with limited technology (I am speaking specifically of Camp of course), it is so easy to take for granted the small blessings we are surrounded by.  I am beyond thankful for reminders that there is more to life than entertainment and “things to do.”  What a nice break from the fast paced style of life that we lead.  To just sit, talk, and enjoy each other while being surrounded by this amazing forest was a fantastic way to spend some time.

As I am writing this blog I am sure it is apparent that power is back on, and I am stationed in front of my computer.  I hope this last power outage will be something I remember often as the days press on, and life continues with its business.  Today I went out and took some photos of the storm we are experiencing here.  I hope you enjoy them, and as you finish this, take some time away from the world of technology and spend time with people you love!

Peace.

Andrew aka Liger.

Tags: blessing, camp, camp hammer, computers, family, forest, love, pour, rain, storm, talk, technology
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Hey Friends and Family,

I hope all is well on this beautiful winter day.  Camp is busy preparing for the months to come, and we are getting so excited for another incredible summer in 2010!  I mentioned a few months ago that the Camp website will be launching a campaign called “Camp Hammer Love Stories,” in the new year, and the new year has definitely arrived.  We are still finalizing the details, but the campaign should be up on our website starting February 1st.  What is this campaign all about?  Well, let me tell you.  Camp Hammer is the home of millions of memories for thousands of men and women.  We want to share those with you!  From current and former Camp staff and campers, to parents and retreat attendees, we want to hear about your experience.  Over the past few months we have been compiling some stories from “lovers” of Camp Hammer.  Starting February 1st, we will be posting these stories on our website for you to read.  Depending on how many we recieve, we will be posting them either weekly or bi-weekly for your reading pleasure.  Now, that’s not all.  We would love it if you would send us YOUR Camp Hammer Love Story.  Tell people your favorite memory of Camp Hammer, or tell of a life-changing experience you had in the Redwoods tucked up in the Santa Cruz mountains.  There is no limit to how much you can write, and you don’t have to write a lot if you don’t want to!  We just want to know, and to tell others about your story.  You can send your stories to andrew@camphammer.com.  We will edit them, and make sure they are appropriate!  Seriously, take a moment and write down your Camp Hammer Love Story, and be sure to watch out for the campaign to begin in February.

Camp Staff

PS.  If you’re not already, become a fan of our page on Facebook, and follow us on Twitter (CampHammerTime)

Tags: blog, camp, camp hammer, campaign, family, February, friends, hammer, love, love story, New Year, story
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Well Friends and Family.  It seems it is that time of year again.  The Holidays are swiftly approaching, and Camp is quiet.  Our last retreat group of the year was last weekend, and now Camp will rest for a little over a month.  The office will still be buzzing with preparations for the new year, but the grounds will take a break from guests.  The Holidays are such an interesting time of the year.  For some, they bring fond memories of family and friends, and for others there are feelings of frustration and anxiety.  Well, this Holiday season I want to challenge you!  Thanksgiving is often viewed as a time of family, friends, food, football, and Black Friday (that was some great alliteration)!  Thanksgiving is certainly all of those things, but there is so much more.  This Thanksgiving remember all of the incredible things you have been blessed with.  Even though times might be tough, or you just aren’t a fan of the holidays, remember that there is always something worth being thankful for!  As we take a breather here at Camp, know that we are so thankful for the decades of staff and guests that have spent time with us in the Redwoods.  Camp Hammer is an incredible place because of the people that have filled it for over 40 years.  Our hope is that you know just how valued you all are.  So this holiday season, remember that there is always something to be thankful for!

Love,

Camp Hammer Staff

Tags: blessed, break, camp, camp hammer, family, friends, hammer, holidays, love, rest, thankful, thanksgiving
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Hey Camp Friends and Family.  I hope you are well on this Wednesday morning.  Blogging is a very interesting aspect of our website.  Up until this point, our blog has served as another way for people to stay in touch with, and continue hearing about what is going on at Camp.  But I want to ask you what you think!  A blog is something that can be interesting and fun to read, or dull and repetitive.  My question for you is, what do you want to read when you log onto a blog?  Your opinion matters!  We want people to love reading this blog, and eagerly anticipate the next one to be published.  So, if you have things that you would love to hear or read about on this blog, comment on this entry and let us know!  We want to serve our readers to the best of our ability!  Let us know what you want to read on the Camp Hammer blog!

Camp Hammer Staff

Tags: blog, blogging, camp, camp hammer, family, friends, hammer, love
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Hey Friends and Family!

I hope you are well on this beautiful September day!  A lot has happened in the last week and a half.  We had two Future Life Retreats come and go, and also Twin Lakes Church Family Camp was here two weekends ago.  It has been very busy to say the least.

Family Camp was so much fun.  Over 200 people were here camping together.  It was great to meet and re-connect with so many families who love Camp Hammer.  So many campers from previous summers were here as well.  It actually felt a lot like the summer because of all the fun things going on.  We had a great time hosting you Family Campers!  See you next year.

Monte Vista and Calvary Christian came last week for their annual Fall Future Life Retreats.  If you don’t know what  a Future Life Retreat is, I will explain it.  A Future Life Retreat is when a youth group or school comes to camp and we facilitate a 3 or 4 day program for them.  We play games, open rides, do some team building, have great seminars and worship, and really just have a good time!  Anyway, we just had two.  They were a blast.  We brought back a famous team building activity called The Egg Drop.  For this activity students are given a small bag of supplies and an egg, and are challenged to create a contraption that will keep the egg safe when dropped from about 8 ft.  It is a lot harder than it sounds.  Out of 28 teams, we had 2 that did it.  It is a fun activity nonetheless and causes students to work together and problem solve as a team!  Pictures will be on the site in the next few weeks!  Keep your eyes out.

This week is a pretty mellow one around Camp.  We are preparing for groups to come, and have started brainstorming ideas for next summer.  Be sure to check the mail in the next week or so, you might just have something delivered by Camp Hammer.  Alright, have a great Tuesday!

Camp Hammer Staff

Tags: calvary, camp, camp hammer, egg drop, family, family camp, hammer, monte vista, redwoods, retreat, school, Summer
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Hello All.  Well I hope this blog finds you well on this beautiful September morning!  I walked down to the office this morning and it was already like 75 degrees outside.  Love it.  Makes it feel like summer will never end.  As I sit in my office (the Cave) some may call it, I have no choice but to daydream of next summer.  I know summer 2009 just ended, but I can’t help it!  I mean c’mon, my job is to create fun games and activities for kids to do at a Camp.  My mind is constantly going over different things we can do…even when I am not working.  It’s like a sickness, a good sickness if there is such a thing.  I am already thinking of new skits, possibilities for team comps (something with a mud-pit?), banquet themes, and even a new gag to use before night games.  Call me crazy, but I just love this place, and planning for summer.

Ok, so, I am going to abruptly change my train of thought, but just go with it!  This year, 09/10, we need to get the word out there about Camp Hammer!  If you have worked here, or come as a camper, or you just plain love this place and you follow us online (Twitter, Facebook, Blog, Website), you gotta spread the word.  Camp Hammer is like this hidden treasure…but better (that rhymed).  We are a small camp with HUGE heart.  If you have experienced Camp you know what I am talking about.  So my mission to you: tell your friends about camp.  Show them videos on our website or you-tube.  Follow our blog, and tell your friends as well!  Join the Twitter community and follow our “tweets…” Our twitter is called “CampHammerTime.”  Become a fan of Camp Hammer on Facebook!  All of these are great ways to stay connected to camp.

Also, if you are interested in submitting a reason, or story, that explains why you love Camp Hammer, send it in!  We would love to post it on our site!  You can send in entries to info@camphammer.com and just make the subject out to “Why I love Camp Hammer.”  You can send them with your name, or we can post them anonymously!  All entries will be censored for appropriateness of course!  Alright friends, we have work to do.  Enjoy this 2nd day of September!  Much Love.

Camp Hammer Staff

Tags: 2009, 2010, blog, camp hammer, facebook, family, friends, love, mission, morning, night games, september, Summer, summer camp, team competitions, twitter, youtube
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