Summer Recreation 2025
May 14, 2025
For 30 years, Cascade Christian Schools has been combining summer and fun to create lasting memories for CCS and Puget Sound-area students. Our 2025 Thrive Summer Programs offer a variety of engaging experiences: Sports Camps, Enrichment Minicamps, Theatre Camps, STEM Camps, and Adventure Day Camp. Plus, anyone over the age of 5 can participate in this year’s 5K Fun Run on Saturday, August 16, 8:30 a.m., at Cascade Christian High School’s track and field. The registration fee is only $20 for early bird submissions by July 4!
There’s still time to join in the summer fun! Below is a snapshot of the summer activities in store for this year’s athletes and campers.
Thrive Adventure Day Camp makes memories that last a lifetime for campers in grades 1–6. Our weekly camp themes will guide campers on a journey of exploration and education about the incredible jungles worldwide. Camp dates are June 16–August 15, and camp takes place at the Frederickson and McAlder campuses. Learn more and register for Adventure Day Camp here!
CCS STEM Camp is an excellent opportunity for campers to explore STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math)! Cascade Christian Schools offers Christ-centered STEM camps that are both interactive and innovative. There is a STEM Camp for those entering grades 1–3 and another one for those entering grades 4–6. Camp dates are July 28–August 1 at the Frederickson Campus and August 4–8 at the McAlder Campus.
Thrive Sports Camps are Christ-centered programs focused on developing discerning leaders, boosting self-confidence, and unlocking players’ leadership potential. Our 2025 summer sports offerings include basketball, cheer, flag football, soccer, and volleyball. Dates and times will vary for each camp. You can learn more here!
Thrive Elementary Minicamps and KPrep Minicamps are available for campers in preschool through grade 6. These short and sweet minicamps allow campers to explore their interests more deeply and increase their knowledge through fun-filled summertime activities.
Thrive Theatre Camps will empower campers ages 8–14 to unlock their confidence and master exceptional presentation skills. Campers get to experience the thrill of performing arts on the big stage and see how they can shine!
Thrive Kindergarten Prep Day Camp is designed for campers ages 5 and 6 who will be starting kindergarten in September 2025. Your little camper can get ready for kindergarten while having loads of fun! Camp dates are June 16–August 15, 2025, at the McAlder Campus.
Camp Invention is for students entering grades K–6. This year’s program will inspire curiosity and help kids build essential STEM skills through collaboration with friends and creative problem-solving experiences. Camp Invention dates are July 14–18 at Cascade Christian High School and July 21–25 at the McAlder Campus. Join us for these interactive and unforgettable adventures!
The whole earth is filled with awe at your wonders; where morning dawns, where evening fades, you call forth songs of joy.
—Psalm 65:8 (NIV)
Teaching For A Lifetime
May 07, 2025
It is said that “teachers don’t teach for a year, but for a lifetime.” I can attest to that being true, as I still have very vivid positive memories of my teachers in first, fourth, fifth, and sixth grades, as well as multiple teachers and coaches in junior high and high school who all made a profound impact on my life and helped shape me into who I am today. I’m not sure what happened in second grade and third grade—and I can’t count kindergarten because the public school system I was in for my elementary experience did not include kindergarten—but those represent minor gaps in what was otherwise a very positive school experience for me from start to finish, thanks to my amazing teachers and coaches. I can even remember specific comments they gave me in particular moments, many of which go back sixty or more years ago.
To choose teaching as a profession is a high calling. It is both an extreme honor and privilege as well as a huge responsibility. Even James, in James 3:1 (NIV), tells us that “not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.” So, in this moment, on behalf of myself, our school leaders, our Board of Trustees, and our parents, I want to express a profound word of appreciation to our teachers for their obedience to God’s call on their lives not only to choose the profession of teaching, but even more so to choose teaching here at Cascade Christian. We are extremely fortunate and blessed to have you all here speaking God’s love and truth into the lives of our students on a daily basis. Know that you are greatly valued and appreciated for all you do, and still more for who you are. Thank you for teaching our students for a lifetime!
With deep gratitude,
Dr. Friesen, for all of us
Be Still — He Is Our Source Of Peace
April 30, 2025
When you think of Jesus, what kind of words would you use to describe Him? Confident, compassionate, and peaceful are a few that come to my mind. I recently read the book The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry, by John Mark Comer, and was convicted in acknowledging all the hurry and distractions that can inhibit me from being more like Jesus.
As Christians, we are called to be more like Jesus daily: to love, to serve, to be prayerful, to forgive, to be obedient to God’s commands, and to work for justice and peace.
It’s interesting how the enemy tries to distract us from these by simply making us feel busy and rushed. In our fast-paced culture, it’s common to see people searching for solutions to find balance and peace in the chaos of life. You will find many self-help books, meditation apps, and yoga studios that are promoted left and right, fighting for attention as the solution to your stress. Although some of the resources out there offer great tips and exercises, our true source of peace needs to come from Christ. Christ’s peace transcends worldly peace.
We so often find ourselves in a whirlwind of distractions where peace can become a distant word or feeling we hope to experience after all our tasks are accomplished. Maybe it’s work, homework, sports, or taking care of the house or the kids, but we can easily fall into the busy and forget to welcome the peaceful presence of Jesus into those spaces.
Imagine if we prioritized experiencing the peace of Jesus while we work through our to-do lists. I’m sure we’d feel less hurried. John 14:27 (NIV) says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” The peace we get from Christ is not something we need to earn or go searching for online. It is a gift given to us that is eternal. We are offered a bottomless well of peace that is available to us at all times. In moments of hurry, fear, or distraction, my prayer is that we can be still and invite Jesus to bring us His peace. I’m convinced that welcoming the peace of Jesus into these moments is how we find His strength, His love, and His power to work through us and make us more like Him.
Thank you, God, for being our source of eternal peace—peace that we can only experience through you.
Right Now Media Resource: The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry Mini Video Series
Spiritual Formation Events and Opportunities:
If you’re in a place of searching for Christ’s peace, I invite you to join us Tuesday mornings at 7:30 a.m. or 8:30 a.m. (two time slots) for a Journey to Freedom. This time will include prayer, worship, and walking through the book Set Free to Lead by Scott Rodin.
National Day of Prayer, May 1
Worship Night, May 2 (At Pioneer Campus, High School Building, PAC at 6:00 p.m.)
Joy, Hope, and Gratitude
April 22, 2025
Happy Easter!
I pray that each of you had a wonderful Easter weekend. I know that our early learners had a blast last week at our annual egg hunt, but I was even more proud to hear our students share what they learned about Easter this past month. One of our KPrep students even shared with me, “Easter is about God's love for us, and Jesus died for us to show that love.” Wow! So, as we settle back into our daily routines after a wonderful Easter weekend, I pray that you continue to live in the joy and hope that this holiday brings.
If you have been to our early learning center, whether you’ve been here for a long time or you’ve just started, you know who Ms. Paula, Ms. Wendy, and Ms. Crystal are. Our amazing front desk staff and campus enrollment manager are the keepers of the pulse of the entire center and spark joy from the moment you walk through our doors. It's our front office staff who are always there with a tissue when a child's feelings are hurt, a calm voice when someone is upset, and a sympathetic ear when families or teachers are stressed.
I feel so blessed to work alongside this supremely competent team. Our center has nearly 180 early learning students, and I know firsthand that this team plays an important role in helping our families and our team each and every day.
So here is a big thank-you to Ms. Paula, Ms. Wendy, and Ms. Crystal for their hard work, continuous creativity, and commitment not only to our center but also to the families we serve every day. We are so grateful for you! Thank you all for being our frontline and lifting us up when we are down.
I encourage you all to take a moment to say a quick thank-you this week to these amazing ladies! Happy National Administrative and After-School Professionals Week!
