If you personally know me, you probably already know that I spent 5 years working at camps. I started working at an Outdoor School (AKA Science Camp) back in September of 2003 as a camp counselor. As a camp counselor, I spent 24 hours per day / 5 days a week just pouring into the lives of the children that were entrusted to me. I later became a Naturalist at the Outdoor School, teaching 5th and 6th graders about Environmental Education along with other parts of Science.
I have also worked for the Christian camp that is on the same property. I worked my first summer in Guest Services. When I heard the title, “Guest Services”, I thought it was a fancy way of saying receptionist but soon found it was a fancy way to say janitor. Though it wasn’t a job I ever thought I would do, it was a fun experience. My second and third summer at the Christian camp was spent as a camp counselor as well. But what was different about being a counselor at the Christian camp is that I was able to not only pour love on them but I was able to share Christ with them.
I also had the opportunity to spend a couple summers working at a Boy Scout camp. I started my first summer working in the kitchen, preparing meals. I don’t remember what happened but I ended up moving to Aquatics. In Aquatics, I helped teach rowing and canoeing for the boys to receive their merit badges. My second summer, I was the assistant manager of the Trading Post.
All my years in working at camps have been GREAT and I have been BLESSED beyond belief. I have always had a desire to work with children and camp gave me the opportunity to do just that. But after leaving camp to go on the World Race, I just knew that I wouldn’t go back.
At Project Search Light (a project that AIM tried out for post racers) I found my Kingdom dream and knew for certain I would not go back to camp. In fact, I go back to school this fall.
But this last week we had the opportunity to help with the recreational activities at a camp. But this was different. These are kids who live in the prisons with their parents.
Here, in Bolivia, if a man (or woman) goes to prison, their spouses and children are allowed to come live with them. Some of these kids have been in the prison their entire lives; not knowing what it means to be free. It was a challenging week but all-in-all it was good.
