We just had our 4th - 6th grade retreat at Centro ABEM again; this is the fourth year we've implemented this idea. We really enjoy putting this event together but even more watching the kids live through it. This year our theme was Survivor, an idea inspired by the current Survivor being filmed in Nicaragua. The kids had to work or participate in some sort of competition in order to get their food. They were appalled that we weren't going to serve them food this year but hungry bellies figure out what they need to do to fill them. Our teaching lessons this year involved building a shelter, learning to start and maintain a fire, killing a chicken, and ladder making. Our chapel times at the retreat were led by Pastor Dave who spoke about not just being a survivor but being more than a conqueror. He really challenged the kids to examine their spiritual lives to see whether they are really living for Jesus, know Jesus and have Jesus in their heart. We praise God for another successful retreat and that there were no injuries; especially considering we gave students saws, knives, and matches to use.
Score board. We also made T-shirts and gym bags for prizes with the same logo.
Getting instructions in the Tribal Council area.
Building a shelter from bamboo and plam branches. The kids love to hang out there after they were done. Some put palm leaves on the ground and laid down in them. I was really impressed with the speed they were able to construct their shelters and the quality of them.
What better place to eat lunch than in the newly built shelters.
Here is one of the brave students who took the chicken by the head and wrung its neck. Lots of people told me this was going to be a bad idea and that none of the kids would want to do it. We decided that every tribe had to elect 2-4 people to go and kill and chicken. Every group had more like 10 students that wanted to go and had to decide on just 4.
Dissecting the chicken and identifying its organs. This chicken ended up being a rooster. I had asked the students to look for 5 organs and the ovaries being one of them. This team showed me their organs and then explained that they didn't have ovaries in their, "So then this must be the testicles" said one of the boys as he held something up for me to see.
Plucking the chicken. There were some comments about armpit hair in this process.
Preparing Rice, Chicken and Veggies over the fire and their slaughtered chicken over the grill. They ate off banana leaves and with scoops made from gords.
Early risers stirring up the hot coals to get the fire going again....
so everyone can enjoy a delicious breakfast of bacon, eggs, gallo pinto, and pancakes.
Using the ladder to get up to the rafters and tie a bandana.
Each team had to compete in a competition of ladder making and then using the ladder to tie up their bandana as seen in the previous picture.
Score board. We also made T-shirts and gym bags for prizes with the same logo.
Getting instructions in the Tribal Council area.
Building a shelter from bamboo and plam branches. The kids love to hang out there after they were done. Some put palm leaves on the ground and laid down in them. I was really impressed with the speed they were able to construct their shelters and the quality of them.
What better place to eat lunch than in the newly built shelters.
Here is one of the brave students who took the chicken by the head and wrung its neck. Lots of people told me this was going to be a bad idea and that none of the kids would want to do it. We decided that every tribe had to elect 2-4 people to go and kill and chicken. Every group had more like 10 students that wanted to go and had to decide on just 4.Dissecting the chicken and identifying its organs. This chicken ended up being a rooster. I had asked the students to look for 5 organs and the ovaries being one of them. This team showed me their organs and then explained that they didn't have ovaries in their, "So then this must be the testicles" said one of the boys as he held something up for me to see.
Plucking the chicken. There were some comments about armpit hair in this process.
Preparing Rice, Chicken and Veggies over the fire and their slaughtered chicken over the grill. They ate off banana leaves and with scoops made from gords.
Early risers stirring up the hot coals to get the fire going again....
so everyone can enjoy a delicious breakfast of bacon, eggs, gallo pinto, and pancakes.
Using the ladder to get up to the rafters and tie a bandana.
Each team had to compete in a competition of ladder making and then using the ladder to tie up their bandana as seen in the previous picture. 
1 comment:
Wow! Your students are truly getting an education. Almost makes me want to send our children to NCA! =) ~Stan
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