Just Like Camp

Since I'm now on staff with the youth at my church, I went on the Fall Retreat this past weekend. And having spent summer after summer of my childhood at some camp or another, it felt very very familiar.

But this time, I was the leader.

I drove a van in the caravan, and right off the bat had to mediate a conflict between the group of girls who wanted to ride with me and the boy who wanted to ride with his friends in my van, which belonged to his parents. At first, I played the they-told-me-first card... and then I realized that they were perfectly capable of settling the issue themselves, so I told them to work it out and walked away. Soon enough, I was driving a van-full of 7th grade boys and having a blast. It was a hilarious car ride for Kara (the other leader in the car) and I... the details of which I would not be able to do justice in a blog.

The second day at camp, we went to Elephant Rocks. I was fearful that my foot would get irritated with all the walking since I haven't been working on it as much as I would like, but with a couple ibuprophren, it didn't bother me all afternoon. I climbed and wandered to my heart's content and it was fabulous.

I think the most amusing thing to me about the weekend was that I was the one in charge. I was the one enforcing the curfew, answering questions, keeping tabs on love-sick girls, leading small groups, keeping an eye on adventurous boys, etc.

It was definitely a role shift, but I loved it. I loved being with the youth. I loved being in the woods. I loved getting to know the youth from other churches that came with us. I loved being away from homework. And I loved hanging out with the other staff members.

Here are my pictures to prove it. Now back to reality and grad school.