By Keith Vance

National Training Camp, held this year at Waukaway Springs near Meridian, provided an excellent opportunity for Mississippi Royal Ranger leaders to obtain valuable training. The camp, which provided a unique camping experience for leaders, brought some of the best training available anywhere to within reach of Mississippi leaders, and proved to be a life-changing event for this Commander.

Having worked with the Royal Ranger program for about five years, I had never gotten the opportunity to attend a National Training Camp. As plans were being made to bring an NTC to Mississippi, I was urged to make plans to attend the event. This was one time that I was glad that I listened to leadership and took the time to get some training.

Upon arriving at Waukaway, I joined a large group of men who were waiting for the camp to begin. Some of them were friends and acquaintances. Others were strangers, some having travelled for hours to attend the Camp. As we begin to talk, it was obvious that we were in a place where something was about to happen. Men had overcome many obstacles to get to NTC. It was apparent that the devil had tried every way that he could to keep some of the men from taking off work and going to Camp.

At orientation to the Camp, we met a truly top-notch staff. Some of the leaders were from Mississippi, and I knew them to be some of the best Royal Ranger leaders that we had. Others had come from other states, and together they proved that God had truly brought together just the right combination of talents to carry out a National Training Camp that would bring these men to a new understanding of the Royal Ranger program.

After meeting the staff and being assigned to patrols, the Camp began. Men who had never known each other and who had never worked together before became a part of a working patrol with a great task ahead of them. As we worked together, ate together, attended classes together, and helped one another to complete the many assignments and tasks that were assigned to us, our patrol was able to mature from a group of strangers into a strong unit. We were amazed when we realised the many varied talents that each patrol member was blessed with, and how they all worked together to accomplish the tasks at hand.

During the Camp, we attended classes on lashing, ropecraft, first aid, water safety, toolcraft, nature study, and a compass course, in addition to several other classes. We learned how to properly hold an outpost meeting, and how to do a council fire service. The training, as I said before, was First Class. The NTC Staff did an excellent job demonstrating the qualities of a Royal Ranger leader. They were tough, they meant business, and it was plain for everyone to see that they were full of the Holy Spirit and had a genuine love for the Lord and for boys. The Senior Guide, the Patrol Advisors, the Junior Commander, and all of the instructional staff and support staff did an excellent job.

I could not talk about NTC without saying that I have never experienced anything like it before, and I will never be the same after having been there. I have a new vision- one of training leaders, as well as one for Reaching, Teaching and Keeping Boys for Christ. I understand better now than I ever have how men who have been called by God into this Royal Ranger ministry need equipping to do the very best job that they can do. My priorities have changed somewhat as I look at my own outpost. I know that in the future I will have an opportunity to work with my own leaders and boys in a way that will make this Royal Ranger program more effective in my own church.

I know that National Training Camp in Mississippi this year was the product of a great deal of hard work. Our District Commander realised the need for training, and applied years in advance to get a camp in the state. The National Royal Rangers office assembled a staff, registered the men, and sent us some of their very best to train us. I am grateful and appreciative of all their hard work.

After NTC this year, I had the opportunity to work on the staff of our District Pow-Wow and combined JLTC and AJTC. I saw boys being trained in leadership skills, and had the opportunity to share some of what I had learned with boys who had a genuine desire to learn. What a blessing!

Leadership training in Mississippi Royal Rangers continues throughout the District. Leadership Training Courses are being taught. A Church Ministries Conference is coming up in the near future. It has also been announced that an Advanced National Training Camp will be held late next year at our own Royal Ranger campground. I am looking forward to learning all that I can learn about how to lead boys to Jesus, and minister to them through the Royal Rangers program. I would urge each one of you to take advantage of each and every training event that you can get hold of, because I am convinced that God will use it to bless you in your work in Royal Rangers.