for unto us a child is born...

and what better a reason to gather together? This past Sunday came together as a family to take a Christmas photo and sign cards for our precious kids as we do every year. We were blessed to be able to gather at a dear friend of Deanna's beautiful home in the Hollywood Hills. We hope that our cards find their way to the children we hold so dear and that it brings them love, joy, and peace. As always our hearts are with them as they navigate the waters of the holidays.  For most of us the holidays bring JOY and FAMILY and all things BEAUTIFUL.  For a lot of our children the holidays are just another day.  As you enjoy all things seasonal keep our beautiful children in your mind and if you can, in your heart as well.  Enjoy this Christmas!
Much love, joy, and peace,
Kids-Net LA

(front row from left to right: Ryan, Jerm, Tom, and Jason.  Behind them from left to right: Cameron, Marcus, Heidi, Bruce, Kenny W., Chanel, Carly, Deanna, Jax, Ashley S., Stefan, Anastasia, Matt, Susan)

We missed those of you who missed our Christmas Party!

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe” Hebrews 12:28

Today, in light of all thoughts of thankfulness, it is impossible for us not to think of our camp. We are glad for our kids who have been, beyond imaginable, our teachers of love.  Our volunteers, who our camp could not be, day-in and day-out, without the selflessness of. Our supporters, who without we would have no means for a camp. And last, but definitely not least, an amazing God who oversees all that is and all that will be, placing every step in front of us just as it should be. 

We are looking forward to another year to which the planning is a great deal underway!

If the World were a village with only 100 people

I've heard about this way of depicting our world's people before but today when I heard it again I thought about it in a different way. Usually it has a way of hitting me strong and serves as a reminder of just how blessed I truly am. Today when I heard it, it made me think about our kids.  In terms of the world our children are a small percentage. To us, they are our world. 

Here's how the breakdown goes:

If we could reduce the world’s population to a village of precisely 100 people, with all existing human ratios remaining the same, the demographics would look something like this:

The village would have 60 Asians, 14 Africans, 12 Europeans, 8 Latin Americans, 5 from the USA and Canada, and 1 from the South Pacific



51 would be male, 49 would be female



82 would be non-white; 18 white



67 would be non-Christian; 33 would be Christian



80 would live in substandard housing



67 would be unable to read



50 would be malnourished and 1 dying of starvation



33 would be without access to a safe water supply 



39 would lack access to improved sanitation



24 would not have any electricity (And of the 76 that do 
have electricity, most would only use it for light at night.)



7 people would have access to the Internet



1 would have a college education



1 would have HIV



2 would be near birth; 1 near death



5 would control 32% of the entire world’s wealth; all 5 would be US citizens



33 would be receiving --and attempting to live on-- only 3% of the income of “the village”

This information is taken from Family Care Foundation (familycare.org)

Hopefully after reading this you feel the same way I did, BLESSED, beyond blessed. So blessed in fact that it moves me to desire a greater daily sense of belonging to the world.  Makes me want to use myself in anyway that is possible to make the lives around me more joyful.  From my smiles, to my time, to my gifts; I want to give in all the ways that I can because WE BEYOND BLESSED.  

If this moved you in the way that it moved me and made you want to give shoot us an email about giving time, money, and your talents to our beautiful children. 

Much love!

happenings between our weeks at camp

As life continues on for me I am humbled by the trials that our wee ones go thru. It was recently that we found out that three of our campers from this past year went thru something beyond our nightmares and worries. These three are of ten children in total to one mother. Only a week or so from returning from camp, with all children in their home, the house was lit on fire. Details aside, all kids were in the house and had to quickly be moved from their home to other foster homes willing to quickly take them in. They lost everything! They have since been reunited with their mother and are attempting to get back to life before school resumes.

Since hearing of this saddening story we have rallied the troops of our family and friends and taken in donations from “hand-me-downs” to cash. The hand-me-downs were gone through and cleaned and the cash was used towards the necessities that weren’t proved thru the hand me downs and that were needed as school began again. Even the most basic, like socks and underwear, was beyond what was readily available to them.

With the blessings bestowed on us we did what we could to provide what we could. This Tuesday a few from our team took a trip to the Section 8 housing where the ten children are currently living with their mother in Watts, California. When we arrived I was quickly humbled by the “home” in which they live. We are beyond blessed, beyond taken care of. The home that we arrived at was “cleaned-up” as those who had been there before me worded it. There were bars around all the windows, dogs around barking and howling. As we entered the mother who looked painstakingly tired greeted us. Most of the ten children were at day care/summer camp, but the two who were there were shyly grateful for what we had brought.

It is these times between the weeks of camp that we hope to be there for our kids. Some of these stories we hear and can do all we can to help. Others we will never hear about. (Either we have no connection to the service providers or the children will never tell the tale.) The point being that our hope is that the love we share with these kids while they are in our hands will give them the power they need during times like this.

To those of you who were a part of the giving, we are eternally grateful, as is the family.

“Giving frees us from the familiar territory of our own needs by opening our mind to the unexplained worlds occupied by the needs of others. “ –Barbara Bush

Today I've been thinking a lot about our kids. For many of our adult volunteers it's a rough transition coming home. Not waking up to children yelling. Not being greeted with hugs and smiles. Not breaking up fights. Not wrapping up our munchkins in sun-warmed towels when they get out of the chilly lake. Not writing and receiving letters from the mail. Not winding down the kids for bed. We are brought back to the reality of the city and a much faster life, filled with things that seem much less important. We miss our kids and we miss them a lot. As the time continues on we get stories filled with happy memories shared with caretakers. However, we also get some stories from case carriers of a reality that our kids come home to much different than ours. One that is accompanied by loss, and heartache, and many switches from home to home. It reminds me of how much love needs to be shared. It reminds me that even when it seems like there is too much work to be done with this population we have to push on. The feelings we feel are expressed well in this story written by Mr. Milbrandt;

The Starfish Story

While walking on the beach one day, I saw Starfish by the score.

And everywhere I looked it seamed, I saw a thousand more.

Then what to my surprise appeared? A boy of nine or ten.

And as the Starfish washed ashore, he threw them back again.

I smiled at his exuberance and noticed his frustration.

"One fish won't make a difference son; You can't change this situation"

He stooped and picked up one more fish, then looking right at me.

"I can make a difference for this one sir," and he tossed him back to sea.

So I went and gathered all my friends, my brothers and my cousins.

We joined in with that little lad to save Starfish by the dozens.

There are many to rescued. Many "Starfish" on life's shore.

And you can make a difference too...by saving just one more.

the week as a whole

Sunday July 12^th

Our volunteer staff and counselors arrived at camp at 2 pm to unpack and prepare mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually for the journey we are on together.

We gathered as the adult half of the family for dinner at an Italian restaurant in Big Bear Village.

Monday July 13^th

Prep, prep, prep and THEN…

The bus arrived at about 12:45 and kids were given counselor assignments and a sack lunch

With their counselor, the kids explored camp, moved into their rooms, and wrote out their own set of “camp rules”

Simultaneous “Sheep T-shirt” making and a pseudo drum-circle/song and music

Birthday Carnival with balloon toss, hacky sacks, face painting, etc

Waiting for the party to start, the kids were given a birthday hat, birthday blowers, and Chinese yo-yos

Birthday party with music, bubble machine, and disco ball: the Birthday Fairy delivers birthday boxes/bags filled with UNO, beach towels, flash lights, Barbies, footballs, soccer balls, coloring books, crayons, toothbrushes and paste and much, much more. Many of our kids jump from house to house through the months and they don’t get to celebrate their birthdays. We make a big deal of their birthdays because of it.

Wash up and go to dinner followed by DOTS cupcakes and ice cream

Telling of the first Bible lesson on Psalm 23 by Cameron

The first episode of the Drama about sheep, shepherds, and the safety of the sheepfold written by Kenny W.

Scavenger Hunt to get to know the camp site and the people who make the camp the instrument it is: Grandma and Grandpa, Coach Heidi and Bruce, Laundry lady Ashley, Program Directors Jeremy, Chanel and Deanna Music/Song Leaders Jason and Ryan, Arts and Crafts Coordinator Carly, Nurse Christine, and Safety Coordinator Matt

Back to the rooms to get ready for bed. Our kids are greatly encouraged to get in bed because they know Grandma and Grandpa are coming around soon with their daily dosage of intra-camp mail. We have this great option to write to our kids, to each other, and to have our kids write to each other. The value of this and the power behind it go the distance.

Lights out and Counselor relief at 9:30 pm. As the munchkins wind down the counselors go on a break and our staff put the kids to bed.

Monday was a fun packed and amazing start to our camp. So much so that the first day alone, our photographer, Stephan, took 700 photos!!! What a way to start it all?!?!?

Tuesday July 14^th/Wednesday July 15^th/Thursday July 16^th

The mornings run the same for three days with slight variations but similar structure.

7am wake up and optional workout on the Basketball court

Breakfast

Second Part of Psalm 23 lesson with Cameron at Chapel in the Rocks. This location at camp is one of the favorites. The "rocks" are huge boulders that rest on a decline with the perfect view out to Big Bear Lake. This is often the times we meet with natures little animals. (birds, squirrels, lizards)

Outdoor games with Coach Heidi and Coach Bruce. It’s here that our counselors take their hour-long morning break. Many use this time to shower, others to rest, and even some to go on a mountain run. (Tuesday was “shepherd” related games. Wednesday was soccer. Thursday was volleyball- there is actually a sand pit court on our site.)

Snack time with granola bars and juice boxes!

The Morning Show began with the theme this year of giving back thanks to Ellie. (Each day our children wrote letters to different groups in need. Tuesday was elderly folks living in a senior home. Wednesday was soldiers in the military who were specially selected for us as those who don’t receive much mail. Thursday was orphans in Mexico.) A big thanks deserved to Jason for heading up the show this year!

Next up we had a rotation each day. Tuesday we had a special guest come from the Moonridge Animal Park (who knew?) She taught us all sorts of things and shared with us some beautiful and adorable animals including a hawk, an owl, a hedgehog, a grey fox, an albino king snake, and a tortoise.

Wednesday we had a very special fire safety demo with our very own firefighters Matt and Brandon and a special visit from the Big Bear Fire Department.

Thursday our kids got more free time to do small group activities like fish with Bruce, arts and crafts with Carly, mail writing, lizard hunting, playing homemade instruments in the lakeside rhythm room, making friendship bracelets and just about anything they so desire.

Morning over so wash up and get some lunch!

As the morning ends and the afternoon begins the program takes a more loose approach and gives freedom to our kids and their counselors to compromise and choose their activities. Each afternoon holds the same options from Tuesday to Thursday.

After lunch every group of two kids and their counselor go back to their room for mandatory 30/30 time. This is an hour of quiet time and for what we call “rest, sweet rest.” A special 11-year-old hike during this time on Thursday allowed for conversations to be had about all things tough. The girls and boys were on two separate hikes, which allowed them to open up even more. Discussions were about everything from sexually transmitted diseases, to drugs, to bullying, and peer pressure, and even social studies, all things said they were struggling with. (Huge thanks to Jax and Steve for being real and alive and honest with our kids!)

Then for three hours in the afternoon kids can head to the lake to bask in the sun, swim their energy off, boat in the lake, catch fish in the lake with Coach Bruce (often for the first time), practice for the talent show, write mail to each other, play on the playground, or do arts and crafts. (This year arts and crafts had everything from painting and drawing, to making sheep with cotton balls and clothespins, to leather working, to beading and bracelet making, to clay working, to leave imprints, to SO much more.)

Late afternoon is washing up and having dinner as a family.

Quickly afterward kids run to their rooms to change into warm clothes, grab a flashlight, and spray on some bug spray before heading to the nights activities.

Each night starts with singing songs and episodes of our intracamp drama show.

At about 7:30 every night begins a different activity.

Tuesday was a Star Party where the kids wear t-shirts we’ve splattered with glow ink and then the went on a Night Hike with their counselors and had to collect a list of objects, some from nature and some that shouldn’t have been in nature.

Wednesday was Camper Tributes where counselors share what they have loved and shared with their two children. This opportunity allows our children to SHINE! Then we split into groups of boys and girls and half went inside to do Arts and Crafts and half had The Lorax by Dr. Seuss read to them outside by Grandma and Grandpa, and then switched.

Thursday was the much awaited, much talked about, much looked-forward-to; Talent Show! The dancing, singing, magic talents of our children abound. Watching them sing along to Stephan, our photographer, playing “We are the World” by Michael Jackson on the guitar, was priceless and brought tears to our eyes. One of our kids even said, “Ah man, if we sing that part one more time, I’m gonna cry!” Being that Thursday was our last night; our graduating eleven year olds went down to the lake in the dark to have a little release ceremony. They were each given glow sticks, which were put on a boat (thanks to Tom) and sent it off into the lake. A little organized mischief to follow…water balloon attack on Matt and Jerm (such good sports) by the boys and car painting (washable) by the girls.

Friday July 17^th (The day we’ve all been dreading.)

After doing some packing on Thursday night, most of it happened this morning.

We had breakfast together for the last time and then put all the packed bags in the parking lot.

One last amazing lesson on Psalm 23 by Cameron followed by our Graduation Ceremony for our 11-year-olds.

Meanwhile, the bus arrived and was loaded. Backpacks with school supplies were put on each seat for the kids, Director Deanna’s seat was packed with snacks for the road and a box filled with a photo albums made for each individual kid was put on her seat to be handed out. Each kids gets an album specially made for them with pictures of them from the week. Because of the population we serve and love, the photos are very protected and children cannot take home pictures other than their own and those taken with their siblings.

At about 10:30 am through all the tears of separation, both children’s tears and adult’s tears, the bus was boarded and departed to go back to the city.

The closure of this week leaves us exhausted and exhilarated at the same time. We are filled with even more love than we had to give when we arrived. We’ve learned new lessons about who we are as people and things we need for growth both individually and collectively. We have started planning for next year already, fundraising for next year already, and will NEVER stop loving these beloved children AND the people we serve them with. That includes everyone at home who love, support, pray, and give to make this week happen and all of those who make the journey with us up the mountain.

All for the children, all for the moments!