WELCOME! This is my website dedicated to the Athletes In Action Ultimate Camp in Fort Collins, Colorado, Sunday May 25 through Sunday June 1, 2003.

"To create an environment in which God would change lives by introducing men and women athletes to competition and personal growth from a Biblical perpsective."

All the staff and interns.

All the campers

These first few pictures are from Monday night. We were supposed to go to the "Fort Collins 500" and ride some go-karts and play some laser tag, but it was closed because of rainy weather. So, instead of letting the outside circumstances bother us, we decided to all go to a movie together.

Me, Ann Marie (my roommate), Mere, and Justine getting ready to go to the theater.

Crazy South Carolina football guys. I can see right up Kris' nose!!

We played some video games and air hockey before the movie started. Meredith preferred to ride the rocketship!

I think the camp filled up the entire movie theater! B E A UTIFUL!! This is our row- Mere, Elissa, Pete, me and Mike.

These next few pictures are from Tuesday night at the Colorado Rockies game. And they actually won!!!

Here is the field. We were up kind of high!

But being high up has its positives-you have a better view for the sunset! I kind of missed it but its still a pretty picture

Pam, me and Pete at the game. No one won the "mound game" as Pete called it, but we still had fun.

Pete, Phil, Mark

Taking a group picture, but Petey thought it would be fun to take a picture at the same time.

These next few pictures are from our special women's lunch Wednesday afternoon. They gave us a roll of toleit paper, tin foil, a few sheets of tissue paper, tape, flowers and some candy and each table had to make a wedding dress. We were pretty creative!

Here's the group.

This is my table's bride. Check out the hershey kiss earrings and the tin foil shoes.

The following pictures are from various parts of the S.P.E.C.I.A.L. That stands for Scriptual Principles + Exhaustion=Confidence in the Almighty Lord.

It started Thursday around noon with volleyball. Each team played every team for a total of 11 games. Then we had lunch and our discussion groups. Then it was time to prepare for the rest of the SPECIAL. We went grocery shopping to buy gatorade, powerbars, and other snack foods. We were going to be up most of the night competeing so we needed to buy some food. After dinner it was time for the SPECIAL to begin. We started off by playing 11 games of Ultimate Frisbee. The wind really kicked in during this time and made if difficult to play. That was just another outside circumstance to add to the list. Then after that it was time for Tug of War.

I will be the first to admit that tug of war was no easy task for my team which consisted of 4 cross country guys, 1 water polo girl, 1 volleyball girl and me. But our motivation was not winning or recognition. It was for God. So we did our best and in His eyes we were winners!

After Tug of War was the push up contest. One team member sprinted 10 yards and did at least 1 but up to 10 pushups. Then that person sprinted back and the next team member went. This was to see how many pushups your team could do in 10 minutes. The amazing part was right before we began a rainbow appeared. It became a focal point for the competition.

Look at God's creation

After tug of war was the relay races in the pool. The first race was a 50 freestyle sprint (there and back). Then it was a 50 with your butt in the middle of an intertube. Then it was a 50 with kickboards. By the end of this race we had so many guys cramping up it was getting a little tiring lifting them out of the pool! We had one last race and that was a "sprint race" (one lap each). Then after swimming it was time for basketball. Each team had to have 2 girls on the court at all time and one of the girls had to touch the ball before a shot could be made. Each team played 11 games varying from 7-10 minutes.

All I got to say is the guys on my team have some ups!! We were glorifying God as we played!

This is me takin' it to the hoop. I was also known for hitting the clutch 3's.

After basketball we had to go back to the dorms and each team had to take a test. The test was on all the principles we had learned earlier in the week. This was pretty hard considering how physically exhausted we were and how much we wanted to sleep. By the time most people finished the test and got ready for bed it was approaching 2 AM. How much you got to sleep depended on how well your team had done in all the other events. The last place team started the obstacle course at 5:05. Teams left every 5 minutes. My team left at 5:40. The obstacle course was pretty tough. Each team member had to be holding or touching someone holding the 2x4 and tire. The total mileage of the obstacle course was a little over 3 miles. It was broken up by 7 tasks along the way. The first was making 15 free throws, the second was making 15 serves on the tennis court. Then it was off to the army crawl. This could have been the hardest event. It was army crawl for about 60-70 yards. Then it was off to do 20 up downs. Then we ran to the track where we all did one lap backwards. Then you carried someone halfway and then they carried you halfway. Then was the van push. It was only about 60 yards or so and momentum was helpful. Then it was a sprint to the finish....

Easier said than done!

After the obstacle course we had some time to rest and eat breakfast. I think I almost fell asleep at the table. Then it was off to the fields for some kickball games. We only played half as many games because there was only enough space for 3 fields so we combined teams. After kickball it was time for relays. The first relay was just sprint there and back (it was probably 40-50 yards out and 40-50 back). Then it was bear crawl. This was tough. Then it was a chain relay-one person ran there and back and then picked up another person who ran with them. This went until everyone had been picked up. Having 4 cross country guys was pretty nice for this event. For the last relay they cut the distance in half and made it crab walk there and sprint back. After the relays it was time for the final event : Golgatha. Its a mile run-the first half mile is downhill and the second is straight up. Seems easy, right? WRONG! The only thing that gets you through that run is talking with God the entire time and asking him for strength because you have NONE left. Relying on Him is the only way to finish.

More of God's wonderful creations

Here is what it looks like when you run down the hill

Jillian, my teammate is handing me the board for my turn down the hill.

It seemed easy the first few steps. Then it got harder and I started to rely more of God's strength. "I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." Phil. 4:13

Finishing the race was the best feeling ever.

Me throwing up because I was so exhausted from the SPECIAL.

Each time I watched someone else come up the hill I got chills. It was so amazing.

Golgotha

Danny, one of my volleyball teammates finishing.

Matt, one of my other volleyball teammates.

Two Hokies finishing, Meredith and Mike.

Taking some time at the end of Golgotha to take some pictures with some of my awesome friends.

Virginia, Lizzy, Alli, Mary, and me.

Blair and me and the end of Golgotha.

Representin' with the Virginia Tech crew: Blair, me, Mike, Meredith, and Elissa.

Reflecting on all that had happened during the week and thanking God for the gifts he has given me.

After the end of Golgotha, we all went back to shower and get some sleep. Then after dinner it was time for the Bonfire. We made some smores and sang some worship songs. The bonfire was cut short because of rain so we went back to the dorms and just hung out. There were a few games of signs and some more singing. Saturday was a laid back day. Some people did some outreach at a local prison. There was a morning group and an afternoon group. We played basketball and volleyball with the inmates and then shared the gospel with them. I have to admit it was a little hard to play basketball the day after the SPECIAL, but it was still fun. For those people who weren't in the afternoon group, we went to Chuck E. Cheese. We applied our principles and looked at our focal points to remember what our motivation was while playing the games and won lots of tickets. We put all our tickets together and got a prize for Jeff Prior, the camp director. Then we came back for our last session. Worship time was crazy! Everyone was on firing while they were singing. It was awesome. Then Doug spoke some about going home and "lighting the fire" when we get back. Then it was time for the talent show. That was pretty funny. Then we took a bathroom break because next was time for anyone to step up to the microphone and share about how camp has impacted their lives.

Alli and me taking a picture at break before getting all teary-eyed listening to people speak.

Mark from Michigan State

The soccer girls: Alli (Wake Forest), me, Mary (UNC-Chapel Hill)

After everyone got finished speaking and the crowd got finished crying, we all took pictures and talked. Unfortunately I had already used up all my film. So if anyone has any pictures and wants to send them to me to add feel free to send them to me: fro2100@aol.com.

It was an hour ride to the airport but it was fun. Our van, Zack, Pete, John, Callie, Alli, Mike and me left around 7 AM. We got to the airport and had some time so we got breakfast, sang some songs, and talked. It was sad to be leaving, but also exciting to think of what kind of impact we will each have on our own campuses. I encourage everyone to Light the Fire!! I miss you and love you guys!! I feel so blessed to have everyone in my life. Keep in touch.

IN HIM