It’s been a lot of fun sharing Camp Vohokase with everyone! If you haven’t already, please check out Part I and Part II of this series to better understand  what it is we do at the Light Foundation.

Knockerball

Knockerball was a riot! We laughed so hard watching our kids, campers, and counselors squeeze themselves into these things and smash into each other. There was just something absurdly funny about seeing all their little feet shuffling around under these giant inflatable spheres. It’s just so silly looking… and the kids LOVED it!

Sometimes they would play soccer while wearing them, but for the most part they just ran full speed at each other to see who could knock who the farthest. Of course everyone wanted to face Matt in a one on one matchup, and of course he sent them all flying…. one by one. A couple even flew end over end across the turf field (cough, Nick Schuckman, cough, cough).

Matt referees a “soccer” game.

A few of the guys seek refuge from the heat under the drone.

Pizza Making Competition

The annual pizza making competition is one of our favorite activities in camp. The West and East Yurt do their best to impress the judges with their cooking skills to see who will earn the final Flame Award before graduation.

This wood burning pizza oven was donated to the Light Foundation by Chicago Pizza Oven. Brian usually starts the fire several hours before the competition begins.

The kitchen gets busy as the guys make their game plans.

Sausage and Veggie.

Barbecue Chicken.

Will wants to be a chef in his own restaurant someday… and he will. Check out this deep dish Chicago style pizza! Looked just like Lou Malnatis!

Louis O. was an awesome leader in this competition.

…but Will takes home the “V” for the West Yurt!

Graduation

The graduation ceremony is always held on the last night of camp. It’s a time to honor the seniors, and recognize how much they have grown over the past four years.

This year was really special because the families of our graduates drove all the way from Worcester, Massachusetts to attend the evening’s festivities.

Blessing the food and thanking God for this experience!

Campers enjoying our outdoor “dinning” area.

Final night of dishes!

Matt and Nick begin the ceremony by reflecting on some of the accomplishments of the seniors while in the program over the last four years.

Chase, DeMarques, Dan, and Edgar watch from above while each graduate is honored.

A few words about our graduates…

Dontrell- Sweet. Smart. Difference maker.

Louis M.- Big heart. Changed man. Going places.

Loius O.- Happy. Leader. Go getter.

Seriously, look at these faces! It’s hard for me to imagine camp without them next year.

Standing in front of the yurts is a wooden pole signed by each and every graduate of Camp Vohokase. Every year as part of the graduation ceremony, each senior signs their name which is later burned into the wood by Matt’s father.

LOVE this picture!

This group of young men have certainly left their mark on my family. We have whole heartedly enjoyed watching them grow into strong confident leaders. They are the reason the Light Foundation exists, and I am so excited to see what the future holds for them.

Dallas from Greenville lights the final flame.

A few more to enjoy…

A big thank you to my brother Bret for helping capture these moments in camp.