When I was in high school, none of the yearly youth group activities got us as excited as Sandblast. Four days of camping and running around like crazy people in the ruins of Fort Worden, a fort built at the turn of the century (20th not 21st) to help protect Puget Sound, which now sits dark and damp on the tip of the Olympic Peninsula.
I have nothing but good memories of Sandblast, so you can imagine that when I was asked to go along as an adult leader this year I jumped at the chance.
With 12 youth and 5 adults we loaded up three vehicles and headed to the fort. For 3 nights we “suffered” in the cold, well freezing, but the day’s were pleasant enough and while we did meet some bad-attitude brick walls, we made it through and I think the kids got so much out of it.
When we weren’t running around the forts playing games like sardines, Romans and Christians and capture the flag, we were doing team building activities, sharing testimonies and teaching this hyper group of teenagers how to sit down and get close to God through daily devotions, and it was great.
Crazy sunset on our first night at the fort.
Where one of the giant guns used it be. It would take 51 men to load and shoot it. Wow!
Time for devotions.
Sandcastle building contest.
The winners and their sand alligators.
The upper fort, a perfect place to play a game of smugglers!
And they’re off! Playing a game of Romans and Christians.
It’s such a joy to be able to help and enjoy times like this with my youth while I’m still in America. I am so, so thankful that I’ve been home in the summertime so that I not only get to enjoy time with the youth group but time with my family as well. It’s been such a blessing!
A Life Extraordinary 