Military-themed event for youth puts godly purpose into games

With a voice that needs no aid from a microphone, Shelby McBride prompted children in the Temple of Decisions game to rid themselves of monkeys on their backs and chips on their shoulders with a response: "Get off me!" Some of the children wore camouflage headbands, serving a dual purpose of absorbing sweat and getting in character for the military-based camp.

Temple of Decisions was only one part of "Xtreme Xperience," an event focused on teamwork and diversity held Friday and Saturday at the Osage Community Centre in Cape Girardeau.

The military-themed event kicked off Friday night with free, live music by Christian bands, choirs and praise and worship groups. At 7 a.m. Saturday, registration for the Xtreme Xperience boot camp experience began.

The boot camp idea began with Broderick Brevard, youth director at Greater Dimensions Ministries.

"He presented the idea to the core group. We came up with the name, aimed to get young people together and teach them how to work together," said Nakisha Harris, whose husband, Emmanuel, is a youth minister.

Getting stronger

The games were designed to be more challenging as participants went along. A morning game of children catching balls and taking them to the cross suggested a message that Christ will give strength. The balls represented problems.

Later a backpack filled with bricks was carried the length of the gym to its final destination, the cross. Created by Emmanuel Harris, the intended lesson is no matter how heavy the burden, you can lay it down at the cross.

"Xtreme Xperience is about tearing down racial and religious barriers," Emmanuel Harris said. "In the army you have a purpose to fight for your country. Your color doesn't matter and neither does your religion. We can all have fellowship and unity."

In its second year, Xtreme Xperience added a maze and a challenging obstacle course that required participants to fight the resistance of water, balloons and plastic balls to complete the event.

The object in Temple of Decisions is to go around the room to get to Paradise Palace.

"They learn there are consequences of good and bad decisions," McBride said. "They must decide through Jesus."

Obstacles like the lurking bad decision are placed in players' paths. Two-partner groups include the front car, whose eyes remain closed, while the rear half drives. An ominous character clad in black prevents "cars" from achieving their goal by tagging them. He represents bad decisions.

"It is important for the kids to know that despite the fact they may make bad decisions they can still achieve their goals," McBride said.

Participants, from ages 5 to 15, were admitted free. The event depended on volunteers to lead the games. The generosity of the community and churches paid for supplies and promotion of the event.

"We broadcast the event on the local access channel, tagged cars with flyers and sent packets to churches from here to Sikeston," Nakisha Harris said. About 70 children preregistered this year. By Saturday afternoon, there were about 100 participants.

Sarah Stephens, youth volunteer leader at LaCroix United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau, said Xtreme Xperience is a great idea. Stephens heard about it last year and volunteered because she wants to be able to help children.

"It's hard to motivate them. We must work within the culture and use their media influence to get God's message across."

Deidra King, 16, came to Xtreme Xperience in 2002.

"I liked it last year," she said. "I didn't really want to come only because I don't like to work out."

But King said the message brought her back.

"Kids coming here might give their life to Christ. I have."

cpagano@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133