We hope the parents information below will assist you in preparing for and understanding the different components of Teen Missions training. Let us know how we can improve the information on this page!
(How to decipher and translate your team member’s letter home!)
Writing Letters Home
Over the years, we have developed abbreviations and names that mean something at Boot Camp, but when shared in a letter home can be like reading in a foreign language. Below is our best effort to help you translate our Boot Camp dialect. Enjoy!
OC—Obstacle Course
SB —Special Blessing Training
KP—Kitchen Patrol
DQ—Disqualify
MC— Master of Ceremonies for evening Rally
MTA—Missionary to America
FTM—Former Team Member
SPP—Secret Prayer Partner
Devos—Personal Devotions
GG—God’s Gentleman (teen boys’ class)
GG—Grubby to Grace (teen girls’ class)
RR—Rough to Righteouness (preteen boys’ class)
RR—Rags to Riches (preteen girls’ class)
Quiz—Weekly Bible memory competition between team members and other teams
The Wall is the final stop in the Obstacle Course
Obstacle Course Descriptions
Each aspect of Boot Camp training is designed to develop character traits necessary to handle the rigors and challenges of missionary life. Each obstacle course develops and tests a team’s ability to follow instructions, work within boundaries, and cooperate as a cohesive unit lifting up any member who might struggle or become discouraged.
MOSES
The ‘granddaddy’ of them all… This course requires teamwork, endurance and courage. Team members learn to rely on the Lord for strength and to lift up their fellow team member to achieve a common goal. They also learn that one member who oversteps a boundary can adversely affect the entire team. Featured obstacles include the Children of Israel’s Luggage (stacking the 66 books of the Bible written on wooden boxes), Mount Sinai (scaling a tire mountain), Slough of Despond (rope swing over a moat), the Maze, Jacob’s Ladder (scaling a 30’ cargo net), and the Wall .
Water Obstacle Course
* NOTE : Preteens use the Moses Obstacle Course with some changes in rules and procedure. Peanuts (& Mustard Seeds) have a completely separate ‘mini-Moses’ Obstacle Course.
JONAH (aka Water OC)
Seafarers Rejoice! You have not been forgotten! The classic obstacles (luggage, slough, tunnel, ladder and wall) return in watery form. A refreshing seascape cools each team as they navigate this course. You’ll do swimmingly!