We’re doing something right!
For those unaware…I am currently counseling another week of camp at Wakon' Da-Ho. We have a fantastic group of kids and adults drawn together for a week of fun and learning while we explore our faith and call to work with God to make the world a better place…for ourselves and others.
Today's lesson comes from the book of Exodus and recounts the Israelite's delivery from the bonds of slavery by the mighty acts of God. We knew as we were crafting the lessons of the day that none of us could come close to imagining what it felt like to be enslaved. We are all mindful of the privileged lives we live. In an effort to recreate a feeling of helplessness, our morning watch included a mock-drill for a natural disaster. We gathered the kids near the bell-pole in the driveway to await buses that would come to pick them up and take them to the church in Liberty to await their parents for pick-up. In planning this event we imagined that some of the youth would worry about getting their stuff from their cabins before leaving, or want their cell-phones, or to even want to call their parents…we weren't even close to guessing what they feared most…
It was having to leave camp early!! They didn't worry about their stuff! They didn't worry about their own welfare…they said they figured we would take care of them. They didn't worry about their parents…they figured we would call them. The didn't even ask for their cell phones…they just kept asking over and over, "can we come back?" "Are we coming back?".
When the exercise was complete we brought them together to process the event…asking them to share their feelings about feeling helpless and out of control. They did have those emotions, but not for what we expected. I guess we're doing something right. I suppose that is why I continue to do what I do and I'm certain that is why ours keep coming back year after year.
Blessings,
Tracy
PS–After fishing one day, a camper looked around the camp as we were walking back with our tackle and bait. He surveyed the camp and noticed all the cabins and buildings. He said, "So, you guys built all this for just 2 months a year?" Another camper responded, "yeah, but its an awesome 2 months!"