It was October 15th. We began our initial descent into Atlanta, Georgia on my cramped Delta flight. My hair was in perfect little waves with a cute blue sparkly headband(my squad color), and I was wearing my B-squad t-shirt with pride.
My heart was racing. I had come to Atlanta with only a glimmer of knowledge about what this week would hold. I knew my squad from FB messages and cute Insta posts, but I didn’t REALLY know them.
Would they like me? Would they think I’m a total weirdo? Would I fit in? Would I even survive the next week? My stomach hurt. I wanted off this plane.
After our landing, I stepped into the Atlanta Airport. There were hundreds of people running everywhere, and I couldn’t seem to find anything that looked familiar. I need to find baggage claim, I thought. I walked for 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, and still I could not find baggage claim in this seemingly never ending airport.
Luckily, I called one of my squad mates Laura, and she assured me that I was close to my destination and that I was on the right track. I found my luggage, and I found my squad. I was ready for an adventure.
I am telling you this because this post is not a comprehensive detail by detail recap of Training Camp. I know that if you signed up for the Race, you want to know everything you are stepping into, but AIM is intentional about, “not keeping secrets but creating surprises,” and I don’t want to spoil that for you.
My experience at the airport is in direct correlation with everything training camp is, and everything you NEED to know about it. Keep walking, keep persevering, and when things get tough, turn to your squad for love and support. That is all you need to be successful. But I know you are chomping at the bit for some practical tidbits, so here is my list of DOs and DON’Ts.
DO pack and repack your bag a couple times before you leave. You want to be familiar with how to do it and where things go.
DO come with a good attitude and an expectant heart. This week is what you make it, so make it rock.
DO spend time with your squad. This is not a time to stay in your shell. Interact with your squad, love them deeply, become a family. Stay up late talking around the campfire even when you are exhausted. Let yourself love.
DO the uncomfortable thing. In the wise words of Ms. Frizzle, take chances, make mistakes, GET MESSY.
DO bring a body spray or something to smell good for those days when showering was not an option.
DO get an external charger for your phone. Just do it.
DO bring a watch or something with an alarm.
DO prepare yourself physically. Camp is not easy. Get ready for your limits to be tested.
DON’T expect to know the schedule all the time. Go with the flow, let it happen. Embrace the challenges.
DON’T use your phone. Just don’t. STAY PRESENT. Don’t check out.
DON’T hold things in. Be honest about your frustrations, and be open and vulnerable with your squad.
DON’T go to bed early. I know you are tired, but some of my favorite parts of training camp were when my squad and I made a conscious decision to stay up talking to each other. You have 10 days with these people before the Race. Make them count.
DON’T give up. Training Camp is meant to test you and make you grow closer to the Lord. It will push you to your breaking point. Lean into Jesus and let Him give you the strength.
THAT’S ALL FOLKS! When I landed in Atlanta that day, I never would’ve known the radical life change I would experience that would happen during these ten days! If you are stressed out about the World Race or Training Camp, don’t be. God is in control and He will do what He needs to do in you and through you over the next year! YOU GOT THIS!!!!!!
Even though I have this Training Camp thing handled, one thing I do not yet have handled is my fundraising. I need to have $10000 in my account by December 18 in order to launch in January with my squad! I want to share more World Race stories with all of you, so please consider donating! Everything helps! Click the “support me” tab and be a part of what God is doing in the World! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!
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