“When is camp? How many days? What’s it going to be like?” Daniel has been asking about camp since March. He’s too young to fully participate, but because his older brother was attending, and I was a worker, he got a chance to come. And what an experience we had.
Watching my curious five-year-old navigate a new and exciting environment brought such joy. He loved everything, even standing in line and waiting for food. He loved fishing, even though he caught the tree every time. He loved gaga ball, even though he didn’t know the rules. He loved the waterslide, crafts, and cooking track. But his favorite was the music during chapel.
As I watched him standing on a pew, waving his arms and dancing like all the big kids, I flashed back to 20 years ago. One of my college friends convinced me to be a junior counselor with her at this kid’s camp at Pickett Lake. I didn’t have much experience with kids, but I decided to come and help her with a cabin of second and third grade girls, anyway. I remember standing in the chapel that first night, listening to the kids singing at the top of their lungs, filled with excitement and joy. I couldn’t muster the words to sing that first song, instead a tear rolled down my cheek. This. This was a taste of heaven on earth. Uninhibited, joy-filled praise from the mouths of children.
That week, two decades ago, was lifechanging for me. Not only did I make new friends, but God opened my eyes to a whole new direction for my life. That’s the week one of the counselors offered me a job working at a Christian school; the job that helped me realize education was the place for me.
My mind wandered back to the present. Daniel was singing his heart out, mimicking the motions of the big kids, learning the moves. I looked around the room and saw several young adults, many whom I taught in elementary school, leading the kids, just like I learned to do 20 years earlier.
Then it hit me, these used-to-be children are mimicking my motions and learning my moves. They are looking to me and other adults who have been longtime camp leaders for direction and guidance. I’m no longer a searching teenager; I’m a leading adult who has a bunch of life under her belt and wisdom to offer. Talk about a scary revelation.
While there are still plenty of moves I need to learn, there are many that I’ve already mastered that I can teach to others coming behind me, just like the teens were teaching my young son. We are always on this continuum of learning and teaching; a step ahead of some, a step behind others.
But we have a choice as to whether or not we decide to share our moves. So, I ask, what moves do you have that you can share? Who in your circle needs to learn your moves? Don’t miss an opportunity to share your moves with those around you.
For more from Christy, visit her blog at christybassadams.com or send comments to christyadams008@gmail.com.