BigStuf is a summer Christian teen camp/conference held annually in Daytona Beach and Panama City Beach, Florida. This year's Daytona event ran from June 18-22.
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In the spirit of full disclosure, I'll admit that I'd never even heard the term "BigStuf" until a couple of days prior to our departure. In fact, as I previously mentioned, when I first signed on, I knew nothing of any top-name national speakers or musicians appearing during the weeklong camp/conference. I had no idea that the daily events would be happening at the legendary Ocean Center arena. I had no idea that we'd be staying at one of the swankiest hotels on Daytona Beach. And I certainly had no idea that there would be a Starbucks so conveniently nestled between our hotel and the venue. All I knew was that after working with ECCC's TNT youth program for a year, this "weird" camp dealio likely would allow me the opportunity to further lean in, love on and connect with the very kids who I've become so "crazy" about.
Our caravan departed from the ECCC parking lot in Merritt Island (loaded trailer in tow) on Monday at approximately 2PM and we traveled ninety miles north to our Daytona destination. Upon our 4PM arrival, I gathered my guys -- Dylan, Miguel, Justin Radlein and Michael "Mad Dog" Wilson and we headed up to our fifth floor room. Quickly, they discovered that the hotel beds also could double as trampolines, while I became reminded in short order that teenage boys have little (if any) control over their bodily functions. And for some reason they take considerable pride in these physical disabilities. Immediately, our room became filled with the indescribable "music" and inescapable "fragrances" that reminded me of a high school locker room. But as a responsible, mature mentor, I ignored these distractions (for a while) and focused on loftier endeavors for instance, teaching my guys the purpose of the little silver handle located near the top of the toilet. They never did grasp the concept of flushing.
After settling into our rooms, we grabbed a little dinner downstairs in the hotel's banquette hall and then made our way across the street to the venue for the official BigStuf kick-off.
Thousands of enthusiastic young people from around the country jammed into the Ocean Center arena for the first of the week's nightly "camp" sing-alongs, which included blasting rock music, performed live by an amazing Praise and Worship band on a huge stage -- a production so monstrous that it would have made David Lee Roth envious.
Host Lanny "Mr. BigStuf" Donoho kicked things off on Monday night by welcoming the cheering throngs to the annual weeklong event. From there, much fun ensued, including game show-like competitions as well as a blistering live set from the 2012 house band led by acknowledged national Praise and Worship guru Phil Wickham. The evening would later wrap up with an inspirational message from pastor Andy Stanley, founder of North Point Ministries.
By 10:30PM the ECCC crew was collectively devouring healthy fare at the nearby Burger King. (FYI, the BK Stacker is a delicious cheesy and beefy bacon-filled gift from God!) By 11:30 my guys and I had made a late night journey along the beach and wound up hittin' the slots at a local arcade. By 1AM we were all safe and sound, back at the hotel, tucked away in our cozy beds, amped for day #2.
The good times had certainly gotten off to a fast and furious start. However, the true BigStuf blessings were yet to come.
To be continued...
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| Miguel and "Mad Dog" (Two of my BigStuf roomies!) |
After settling into our rooms, we grabbed a little dinner downstairs in the hotel's banquette hall and then made our way across the street to the venue for the official BigStuf kick-off.
Thousands of enthusiastic young people from around the country jammed into the Ocean Center arena for the first of the week's nightly "camp" sing-alongs, which included blasting rock music, performed live by an amazing Praise and Worship band on a huge stage -- a production so monstrous that it would have made David Lee Roth envious.
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| Christian is one of my fave ECCC peeps. (I just wish I still had enough hair to cop his swagger!) |
By 10:30PM the ECCC crew was collectively devouring healthy fare at the nearby Burger King. (FYI, the BK Stacker is a delicious cheesy and beefy bacon-filled gift from God!) By 11:30 my guys and I had made a late night journey along the beach and wound up hittin' the slots at a local arcade. By 1AM we were all safe and sound, back at the hotel, tucked away in our cozy beds, amped for day #2.
The good times had certainly gotten off to a fast and furious start. However, the true BigStuf blessings were yet to come.
To be continued...
Author Christopher Long's latest book
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