Having been a WRTCS (World Race Training Camp Survivor) for over a year now, I thought it high time that I offer advice to all future Racers. So here in 11 steps (if you haven’t noticed already they really like that number) is a survival guide of sorts. Take it or leave it, but let’s be real. If you’re about to go to Training Camp you’re totally freaking out right now.
Arriving in T Squad style back in May 2013.
1. Let go of your expectations and rights.
This is actually one of the first things you will learn at TC. Unless you typically live in the woods, theme your meals by countries, and spend every waking moment with the same 50+ people, TC is going to look different than your everyday life. And despite all the blogs you’ve read (including this one) and people you’ve talked to, you will NOT be prepared. Go ahead at this moment and let go of your rights to preparation and your expectations of a schedule or full explanation. Instead trust God and find your peace in Him; He will be your steady place.
2.Hold onto a few expectations.
Do expect God to change you. Do expect to be challenged. Do expect to be encouraged. Do expect to fall in love with your new family. Just let go of your “right” to have these things happen the way you think they should happen.
3. Be hygienic.
If you’ve read a blog saying “at camp you might get to shower once the whole week”, I would like to say: FALSE! Listen up people! There are showers. Do use them. There are, however, times you may have to be strategic about when to shower. Nighttime may seem like the logical answer, but you never know when you’ll be stranded on a snowy mountain in Nepal or stuck at a border crossing in Africa. Perhaps you should consider skipping a meal time to take advantage of available bathrooms and shorter lines.
4. Don’t be a germaphobe.
There will be days where you are sweaty and caked with in dirt, and that’s ok- everyone else is too. Also, you may find yourself sharing a bowl of curry and plate of rice with 7 other people and no utensils. Squirt on some hand sanitizer and then just let it go.
5. Make a best friend.
It’s really nice to have someone to help you set your tent up at night or to loan you a pair of clean underwear when the Asian airline lost your baggage (trust me, you’ll understand later). You can also lean on this person for support when you have your Day 3 freak out and think this is all some kind of cult and you can never do it.
This girl shared a tent, sleeping bag, (clean!) underwear, and a toothbrush with me!
6. Don’t be exclusive.
But you should also try to get to know as many people on your squad as possible. Sure, you’ll be really tired at night, but stay up and have a few of those late night talks. Sing worship songs with the kids who brought their guitars. Play ultimate frisbee with the ones who seem to have endless energy. Pray with the ones who are struggling. Even if they aren’t on your team, every person on your squad is part of your new family.
7. Be honest.
When the squad leaders, coaches, and mentors are putting you through the team exercises, they are not doing it just to mess with your head. They genuinely want to put you on the best team possible, so when they ask for feedback tell them the truth. It’s 100% ok to say, “I do not get along with that person at all and do not ever want to be on their team.” And likewise you can say, “I love her. She is the number 1 person I want to be with.” They take everything into consideration and then take it all to the Lord. Does this mean you will get your perfect team? Most definitely not. But you will get a team that will help you grow- be open to that!
First awkward family photo of Team Sojourner!
8. Give second chances. (and thirds and fourths).
While you should be honest with your coaches about people you don’t get along with, don’t let your impressions from TC define how you view people for the rest of the Race. I left TC hating a girl on my squad. Seriously. I asked people at home to pray for me because of the deep amount of disregard I felt towards her, but now we’re best friends! I can’t imagine where I’d be without her and how differently my Race would have turned out if I hadn’t given her a second chance.
9. Be open to new things.
At TC you may experience aspects of spirituality that you have not yet encountered. I encourage you to read 1 Corinthians 12, and then put terms like “charismatic” and “conservative” out of your head. One of the biggest things you will learn on the Race is that God is way bigger than you ever imagined, and He works in so many different ways. Keep your heart open and allow the Holy Spirit to guide you.
Praying as a squad.
10. Take everything with a grain of salt.
Cliche saying, but applicable. While I definitely think you should keep your heart open to the ways God is moving at TC, don’t feel like you have to completely throw away everything you’ve ever learned or thought. But also don’t go around calling other people crazy because of how they are praying or worshipping. There were things, like prophesying for instance, that took me a few months to get comfortable with. If you’re unsure of something talk to someone about it, but most importantly talk to God. Allow Him to do the work in your heart that He has planned.
11. Enjoy it!
As you can see, TC has a lot of contrasts and contradictions; soak it all in. This is the real start of your World Race adventure and the first solid memories you’ll have with your squad. So make a fool of yourself in a dance-off! Laugh instead of complaining. Get matching tattoos (jk, you should at least wait until Month 1 for that). Take a deep breath, and know that you WILL survive and you WILL have fun.
Right before the 2 Logan’s owned the T Squad dance-off!
My crazy, beautiful T Squad family!
