Ten Things I Miss About Camp

Two months ago, the laughter, tears, relief and solemn realization that summer had ended would beckon a mass exodus from Crofton, Vancouver Island. Two months ago, many of us who served at summer camp would be departing home, or to holiday, to study, to family, to work, to the unknown, and most certainly to a week or more of welcome sleep.

The sober days after the conclusion of camp would prompt a plethora of reflection-driven status’ on Facebook and the like, perhaps in part to bring closure of a special time, or to commence the ‘new chapter’ which awaited.

One month on, I was contemplating what makes camp so special. Two months on, and in the absence of some of the things on the list below, I realized that camp provides a space in which many core human needs may be met.

So, here are ten things I miss about camp:

      1.       Community

      The availability of friends and the ever-present bustle of camp life means that you are never alone if you don't want to be. It’s more difficult to spend time alone than it is to spend time in the presence and company of others. This is often a stark contrast to life if one is not intentionally seeking community.

      2.       Genuine Relationships

      The core craving of our being is to be in genuine relationship with one another. There is nothing more comforting than to confide in a friend who cares for you regardless of anything you say or do, and only such relationships provide the opportunity to be completely yourself – the freedom to be ‘stupid together’ is a special thing.

      3.       Laboring & Working Together

      Laboring and working together forms unity. Teamwork builds camaraderie. Struggling and triumphing together is one of the few ways in which groups of people bond. On an 'individual' scale, shared experience with another provides joint memories and the opportunity for humorous recollection and encouragement of alternative methods.

      4.       Purpose & Mission

      Vision for 'why' one is doing what they’re doing is integral for motivation and attitude. During summer camp, we are continually reminded of our reason for being there. To have reason and purpose empowers, energizes, and when a mission is greater than yourself, you often find strength when you have none left.

      5.       Sacrifice & Investment

      When we sacrifice we 'buy into' an idea, action, relationship or cause. Sacrifice results in a sense of ownership and reminds us that we have value. Though investment may seem hard, it's worthwhile in the long-run. For Christians, being a servant is not an optional extra. It’s an attitude we adopt when we decide to follow Jesus. Being servant-hearted involves both sacrifice and investment - both of which are essentially the same thing.

      6.       Fun

      Summer camps are designed to foster a fun environment. Subconsciously (or not), most of us like making others laugh and enjoy themselves. With the right attitude, we're rewarded with a sense of fulfillment when we produce enjoyment for others – though this ‘reward’ is a by-product and shouldn't be the goal.

      7.       Growth & Discipleship

      The challenge of camp & the roller-coaster that it often becomes either reveals or (re)defines our character. We grow from learning (sometimes from each other, mistakes, shared experience) and while growing pains can hurt, it rewards us as a whole. The opportunity for ‘iron to sharpen iron’ and for mentor-mentee friendships to be formed promotes ongoing growth and development for both campers and staff.

      8.       Natural Beauty

      Countless studies* reveal that being around nature reduces stress. I’d argue further; reflecting on and being within nature prompts within us questions of spirituality as we gaze at a beautiful universe that's much bigger than ourselves. During camp, a chance to hang out in a forest or to admire the picturesque coast is never far away.

      9.       Trust & Respect

      The knowledge that the best interests of everyone is at heart guards us and encourages us to build each other up and affirm one another. At times, this also means respectfully and gently correcting one another.

      10.   Safety

      Safety is last because it’s something so easily overlooked. We take safety for granted until we're in a place we feel threatened, intimidated or in danger. Safety relaxes us physically, comforts us mentally, and creates a place to be open and brutally honest, emotionally and spiritually. Safety enables us to be who we were created to be, without fear of the judgment or persecution of others.

I’m sure I could continue this list with a comical recollection of hilarious things and people that I also miss from summer camp, but I think the above list is sufficient.

The above provides both a picture of camp, and a framework for which we should be living or involved outside of camp.

What’s missing?

*I’d normally cite such studies, but I've forgotten the name of the architecture books and the other reputable online journals/articles I've read. Search Google Scholar (or a library) if you wish.

Glancing Back, Moving Forward

I've often heard people say, “I have no regrets because otherwise I wouldn't be the person I am today”. While I understand the sentiment, I've always hated that quote.

Looking back on my life, I realize how many things I could have done differently and I recognize that there’s always room for improvement.

I’m in a unique time in my life, where I've completed my university study, I’m unemployed, single, and seem to have more time on my hands than I ever have before. This is the first time in eleven years that I've not juggled study, work, multiple sporting teams and church activities.

Naturally, all this extra time provides a unique opportunity – an environment of thinking and reminiscing. More importantly, it’s provided me with the opportunity to re-evaluate all that I've found to be worthwhile in my past as I make decisions in the present.

·         Perhaps the biggest regret I've found through reminiscing is losing sight of the big picture and not spending enough quality time with people.

·         So often we become caught up with what we (mistakenly) deem as important, where in hindsight, we wonder what the big deal was. Just think: catching all 150 Pokémon, the date to the high school prom/formal, plans for the 18^th birthday, and the whole first year of university… The list goes on.

For me, one year ago today, I would have been working around the clock to complete my final project for my Master of Architecture. I’d be popping Zoloft as I struggled to see the big picture. Design and architecture is never really complete – the mentality is to review, critique, and keep coming back to re-imagine how the product could have been done better. I often make the mistake of implementing this overly critical thinking in my everyday life. Like fibre, self-criticism is helpful in small doses, but can wreak havoc if you go overboard.

Even the distant past echoes reminders of mistakes not to be repeated in the future. Ten years ago today, I would be living in a shed, which was an upgrade from living in the caravan while dad built the new family home. There was no-way I wanted to invite friends over to my place then, so I killed countless hours playing pointless games on the computer, alone – a bad habit that continues to plague me. My present self regrets not getting over the reality of the environment in which I was living, so that friendships could flourish and new adventures could be found.

·         Preaching to myself – even living in a basement the size of a shoe-box shouldn't inhibit one from practicing hospitality. Or at least trying.

So anyhow, where is all this going? Well, looking backward can have some benefits (as described above) but it only brings us to the present. If you project forward to the future and make decisions now that lead to the kind of life you wish to have, then the possibility for regret is minimized while the opportunity to become who you wish to be is maximized.

A popular North American preacher once said, “Define your life forward, then live it backward.”

If you take the steps to reach who you wish to be, and providing you follow through on these good intentions with integrity, perhaps then – even if things don’t go the way you hoped or planned – you can be the person you are today with few regrets*.

*Just don’t forget to constantly challenge yourself on what’s truly most important.

Reset Button

While I don't consider myself a Maurice Moss*, I've always been aware that the 'reset' button is an option - generally the final option - when a device isn't working the way it's supposed to work.

Time and time again we hit a metaphorical reset button in regard to our attitudes, relationships, issues of forgiveness, vocation aspirations, and the list goes on. I've just hit it on this much neglected, poor excuse of a blog (perhaps I'll even share it, this time around!).

As I approach 25, and in the light of available time on my hands, I was reminded of the enjoyment I find in writing. I figured it was time to re-set my focus on things I value and find enjoyable, despite another birthday marking yet another year in which I wonder how 'productive' I've actually been.

I'm aware that like me, many career-less, single people my age fear that they've been 'left behind' or have missed something thus far. In these times, I'd suggest hitting the reset button - you haven't been left behind. Take action and do what you enjoy.




Have you tried turning it off and on again?


*I would have also mentioned 'Roy Trenneman' here, but I feel like I share some (unfortunate) similarities to that character...