From 25 to 29 June 2002, 10 km from Pshada village in the land of a forbidding cliffs and deep valleys of the North Caucasus took place the first ever Royal Rangers Summer camp of the Krasnodar outpost. We got to the campsite on the trucks. It caused a storm of cheers.

This camp was called "Sharp Branches". Every day God was helping us to lop off our "branches", that hinder us to grow in Christ and to be one united team.

In the camp was 54 children. Seven children received the Lord in their hearts as Saviour in this camp. It means that this camp was not useless at all. We have the glorious Saviour!

We gained new experience in making children camps. In making this camp actively participated teenagers from the oldest age group - "Rangers". They got to the camp along with commanders 3 days before the camp started. They were preparing campsite for children. We've done a lot of work, and spent wonderful time in fellowship. God gave us mutual understanding and unity.

During the camp rangers worked as leaders. Each of them was a head of the group of 8 children. Each group consisted of 1 starter, 2-3 pioneers and 4-5 trailblazers. It was wonderful! Trailblazers worked in the group as cooks, firemen, water suppliers, dishwashers and leader assistants. Pioneers and starters worked as cook, firemen, water and dishwasher assistants. Every morning they changed their duties. As a result every child felt himself responsible for his work. This united children even more, they became a good team and acquired new skills.

Rangers learned what it means to serve and to be a leader. They woke up with us every morning for the prayer. During the day we meet 3 more times: we would solve problems and share what difficulties we had doing our work of leaders. They felt very responsible about this job. During the camp they noticeably matured and started to think a different way. We received a great blessing from our work together. It drew us together with rangers very much. We became good united team.

Commanders helped rangers in making this camp. They did different seminars, lead evening meeting, and dealt with organizational matters.

In the last night in the camp we had a Transition ceremony, when last year "starters" oficially became "pioneers", "pioneers" became "trailblazers", and "trailblazers" became "trail rangers". During this ceremony we had a lot of compliments, songs around the fire, and testimonies on how life of children have changed in this camp.

On the next they all camp participants except commanders and rangers went home. After the camp commanders and trail rangers went to the 4-day hike. We looked at the waterfalls, at the deserted prison in the mountains, and climbed steep rocks. In short, we had a good rest and gave the Lord praises for the wonderful camp, for each other, and for Royal Rangers. God was with us! Glory to God!

Sr. Commander Sergey Bobkov