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IT'S FINALLY HERE!That's the feeling we have every year when we arrive at Winter Camp. Finals are over. Winter break has come at last. We deserve a break. And also a little fun. This year is no different. As we look forward to Christmas, we hope Camp @ Home can help you find rest. For the four weeks of advent, we will explore the advent theme, post fun recipes, sing Christmas tunes, and bring back History Time with Meredith.
HOME BASE.This page will be where we upload new content each week. Check back in here for the latest.
Show us you are following along by using #altamonscampathome |
Check Out the CHRISTMAS MAGIC we delivered to our campers!
CLICK AN ICON TO GO TO THAT WEEK'S CONTENT!
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HOPE: SUNDAY NOVEMBER 29THThis is the first week of Advent and we'll be focusing on Hope. Hope is packing your bag for camp and the patient expectation of what is ahead. Do you remember the feeling of showing up to camp on the first day? How did you feel? What were you hoping for?
We can't wait to spend Advent with you as we prepare our hearts and minds for Christmas! |
MORNING WATCH: MONDAY NOVEMBER 30THPastor Amanda kicks off our first week of Camp @ Home: Winter Camp Edition with some Advent themed Morning Watch! This week we're talking about hope, where it comes from, and how people throughout history have hoped. Join us!
Discussion Questions: 1. What are some things that have been giving you hope? 2. Where do you see hope in the world? |
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* WARNING: Follow directions on your bag of charcoal. Use charcoal outdoors or in a large well ventilated space.
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APPLE DUMP CAKE: TUESDAY DECEMBER 1STThis video will tell you all about how to make an apple dump cake! Here's what you need:
-dutch oven -aluminum foil -fire gloves -charcoal -2 boxes of yellow cake mix -1 can of apple pie filling -eggs (consult cake mix directions) -vegetable oil (consult cake mix directions) -water (consult cake mix directions) -spatula -mixing bowl -measuring cup |
SONG TIME: WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 2NDSarah Grace Frary and Ayush Joshi bring us "Do You Hear What I Hear?"
Do nothing for 3 minutes and listen to this song. How do you hear hope in the words of this song? How might this song be a reminder to slow down and notice the small things? |
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HISTORY TIME: THURSDAY DECEMBER 3RDWinter Camp started at Camp Alta Mons in 2010 with 8 campers, 3 summer staff, and Jason Masching (Program Director). They had an awesome snow that first year and laid the foundation for this wonderful camp event! They played games, made crafts, participated in worship, and even had some dogs and dog sleds come out for some fun rides! Over the years, this event has grown dramatically. In 2019, Winter Camp hosted 97 campers and relied on over 30 volunteer staff. Fun fact: Only 1 person has attended every Winter Camp at Alta Mons. Can you guess who it is? We hope to be back to this great event in 2021!
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LOVE: SUNDAY DECEMBER 6THWinter Camp @ Home Week 2 is here! This second week of Advent, we'll be focusing on Love. Love is finding a simple tree in the woods and calling it special. If you're ever decorated a backcountry Christmas tree at camp, you know this feeling. If anyone has ever picked you and called you special and loved, you also know this feeling. Today, reflect on the times you have felt love, specifically God's love. What was it like? How did it make you feel?
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MORNING WATCH: MONDAY DECEMBER 7THIn this second week of Advent, we are talking about love! Pastor Alan Combs shares about God's love for us and asks how we will respond.
Discussion Questions: 1. What does it mean that God loves you? 2. How will you respond? 3. How are you going to love this Christmas? |
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BACKCOUNTRY CHRISTMAS TREE: TUESDAY DECEMBER 8THSteps to making your very own Backcountry Christmas Tree:
1. Find your decorations 2. Find a Christmas Tree in the woods 3. Decorate your Christmas Tree in the woods 4. Enjoy your tree! Don't forget to un-decorate after Christmas! Ornaments don't grow on trees! |
SONG TIME: WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 9THSarah Grace Frary and Ayush Joshi bring us "In The Bleak Midwinter"
Do nothing for 3 minutes and listen to this song. How do you hear love in the words of this song? How might this song be a reminder to love others in big and small ways? |
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HISTORY TIME: THURSDAY DECEMBER 10THA relatively new addition to Alta Mons, the Nature Hut is just what it sounds like-- it's the home base for all of our nature and outdoor education activities! This small cabin was donated to Alta Mons by the Galbraith Family around 2007 when they no longer had a use for it at their home. It has since become a favorite spot for debriefs, shade, and bird watching. Over the years, we've added to our nature curriculum and are still looking to expand it. From "night nature" to tree succession to bug ID to scavenger hunts, the Nature Hut has hosted many different activities. What's your favorite Nature Hut memory? What is something that you learned at the Nature Hut?
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JOY: SUNDAY DECEMBER 13THWinter Camp @ Home Week 3 is here! This third week of Advent, we'll be focusing on Joy. Joy is singing together at the top of our lungs. It's a great gladness that comes from within. Today, reflect on the times you have felt joy. What was it like? How did you know it was joy and not something else?
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MORNING WATCH: MONDAY DECEMBER 14THIn this third week of Advent, we are talking about joy! Pastor Brenda Sternfeld shares about how she finds joy in creation and how that is really something to focus on during this time pandemic. Here are some questions to think about:
1. What gives you joy? 2. How is joy different than happiness? 3. How can you find joy in creation? |
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SUGAR COOKIES: TUESDAY DECEMBER 15THIngredients for Sugar Cookies:
-2/3 cup butter -3/4 cup sugar -1 egg -1/2 teaspoon vanilla -2 cups flour -2 teaspoons baking powder -1/4 teaspoon salt -4 teaspoons milk -cookie cutters -2 mixing bowls -electric mixer -spatulas -cookie sheets Ingredients for Icing: -2 cups confectioner's sugar -1/4 cup butter -1 teaspoon vanilla -food coloring |
SONG TIME: WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 16THSarah Grace Frary and Ayush Joshi bring us "Joy to the World"
Do nothing for 2 minutes and listen to this song. How do you hear joy in the words of this song? How might this song be a reminder to see joy in the world? |
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HISTORY TIME: THURSDAY DECEMBER 17THThe Dining Hall serves, in many ways, as the "heart" of camp. Our rainy day space, our indoor worship chapel, and of course-- where we eat our meals! Many people have lots of joyous memories in the Dining Hall. It was built around 1966 and is one of the first structures that was built after the property was acquired as Camp Alta Mons. The Kinsey, Motley, & Shane Architecture Firm in Salem, VA designed the building, along with what is now Carter Cottage and the Staff House. The 6 cabins behind the Dining Hall also follow the same design, but were built by volunteers from different United Methodist Churches in the Roanoke District. The Dining Hall has been renovated several times (the windows were enclosed around 1999 to become a year round, heated facility) and the kitchen / Cookout Room area is what has changed the most. The Dining Hall bathrooms were renovated in the spring of 2018 (you can check out our Facebook Album for lots of before and after photos.) What is your most joyous memory in the Alta Mons Dining Hall?
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PEACE: SUNDAY DECEMBER 20THWinter Camp @ Home Week 4 is here! This fourth and final week of Advent, we'll be focusing on Peace. Peace is coming inside to drink hot chocolate after playing outside with friends. It's a quiet satisfaction, a stillness, contentment. Today, reflect on the times you have felt at peace. What was it like? How did you know you were at peace or experiencing peace?
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MORNING WATCH: DECEMBER 21, 2020In this fourth and final week of Advent, we are talking about peace. Pastor Jeff shares a bit about the peace that comes from Christ and how he is looking for peace this season. Here are some questions to think about:
1. Where do you like to go to find peace? 2. When do you feel peace? 3. How can we find peace in Jesus Christ? |
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HOT CHOCOLATE: TUESDAY DECEMBER 22NDHere's everything you need to make some amazing hot chocolate:
-6 cups whole milk -14 ounces sweetened condensed milk -2 cups heavy whipping cream -1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder -2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract -a crock pot -whisk -laddle |
SONG TIME: WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 23RDSarah Grace Frary and Ayush Joshi bring us "Peace Pilgrim's Prayer"
Do nothing for 2 minutes and listen to this song. What does this song have to say about peace? How might this song be a reminder to seek peace in quiet moments with God? |
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CHRISTMAS EVE: THURSDAY DECEMBER 24THMerry Christmas Eve! For our final Camp @ Home post, Sarah Grace sings us "Silent Night" as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Christ! Christmas is almost here and we are so thankful that we have been able to "virtually" spend Advent with you all!
Join people across the Roanoke and New River Valleys in singing "Silent Night" this Christmas Eve. At 8pm step outside, light a candle, and lift your voice to the night sky. Tune in to the Roanoke District Facebook Page or YouTube Channel for music and lyrics to sing along. |