At the Talent Show

On the last night of camp, the campers were invited to participate in a talent show. On two different occasions, campers got up to perform a song, and as soon as they started singing, everyone in the room got excited and started singing along. Everyone, that is, except the counselors.

It amazed me just how narrow the generations have become. The songs were from either High School Musical or Camp Rock, recent Disney Channel movies that have been immensely popular among younger teens and preteens, but which are virtually unknown by older teens and those in college. (As the parent of a 7 and 11 year old, I knew the songs myself).

Youth ministry sure has become more complicated these days. The college-aged counselors wanted to reproduce at camp their own experiences, but the younger campers are a lot different than they were, and camp needs to reflect that. In some ways, camp is always needing to be re-invented.

I post this today because this is the day the new Jonas Brothers CD hits stores. Later, my oldest son and I will walk to the store to buy it. I don't mind, because the Jonas Brothers are actually enjoyable to listen to, even for adults like me. Plus, one of the songs on their new album has special meaning for our family...

Got the news today
Doctor said I had to stay
A little bit longer and I'll be fine
When I thought it'd all been done
When I thought it'd all been said
A little bit longer and I'll be fine

But you don't know what you got 'til it's gone
And you don't know what it's like to feel so low
And every time you smile, you laugh, you glow
You don't even know, know, know
You don't even know

All this time goes by
Still no reason why
A little bit longer and I'll be fine
Waiting on a cure
But none of them are sure
A little bit longer and I'll be fine

But you don't know what you got 'til it's gone
And you don't know what it's like to feel so low
And every time you smile, you laugh, you glow
You don't even know, know, know
You don't even know, know, know
You don't even know, know, know

But you don't know what you got 'til it's gone
And you don't know what it's like to feel so low, yeah
And every time you smile, you laugh, you glow
You don't even know, know

So I'll wait 'til kingdom come
All the highs and lows are gone
A little bit longer and I'll be fine
I'll be fine