(My plan was to insert a picture here of tall socks, but the internet is not the highest quality. I figure it's just prep for next year.)
This is a tough blog to write. There have been times where I've looked forward to this day for a myriad or reasons, but now that it's almost here, it seems like it came too quickly. I'm not ready for it.
For the past six years, I've spent a large amount of my time dedicated to Camp Adventure, which is a college program that trains and sends college students to run camp programs for US military children all over the US, Europe, and Asia. I've tried figuring it all up and my head, and over those six years, I've spent 66.5 weeks overseas actually working directly with these programs. Over a year of my life. The rest of that time has gone to training students and behind the scenes work.
The camp I was working with in Stuttgart, Germany just ended yesterday. I had to goodbye to 26 awesome counselors, interns, and directors that I'd spend the last 10 weeks working with and getting to know. That was tough. Especially when the last shuttle bus came by to pick up the last of them for the airport, leaving me at the hotel by myself. It hit me at that moment, that it was all over. Now I do have two more weeks in Germany, but I'm only covering until the fall Project Coordinator arrives. It was a tough moment though. Really the whole week leading up to it was. Quite a rollercoaster of emotions because of wrapping up 11 different camp programs and making sure I had everything done that I needed to. By Saturday morning, I was exhausted emotionally, physically, and mentally. Really, I would have been happy going home right then I think. The staff was great, though I've always been blessed enough to work with some pretty stellar staffs. It was weird waking up this morning and not seeing anyone that my life had revolved around for the last 10 weeks. They're either all home now or doing some extra traveling in Europe. It was all incredibly bittersweet.
I think back to my freshman year to Toledo when a flyer showed up in my dorm mailbox advertising the program. I was immediately intrigued by it, got some information, applied, and was accepted. I didn't realize at the time how much that one flyer would change/shape my life. It opened up eyes to a lot of things. It opened doors that never would have been open to me otherwise. I made many many of friends from around the US and the world that have had huge impacts on me. I can't imagine my life without them. People with whom I've shared some of the greatest memories and inside jokes. People who if they are reading this I know will crack a smile at some of these things if they were involved with a particular group or camp. PGL. Beep Beep Deustchland. Euro Euro Euro. Yah lo blu tibia. Ismolyva. Jaguars. Hunting kangaroos in Hawaii. New Year's Eve at the beach. A gah gah gah gah red. MMMWWWRRRR. Wolfamon. Raaaydaar. Ra-Ra Ramen. Nerf Nerf. No Briggettah. Stitcherland. And way too many more to mention.
While all of the friends have and memories have been great, it's really the kids and youth that we work that make it so darn hard to be done with. I've worked with hundreds, if not even a little more, of children and youth over the past six years. I loved it. Everyday I knew would be an adventure, for better or worse. It's one of the greatest feelings in the world to hear someone say, "you're just like my dad." Or, "I want you to stay forever." Or there are those final days of camp when everyone (campers and counselors alike) is just one big crying/sobbing/emtional mess because you know this is the last time that this particular groups of counselors and campers is ever going to be together again. That's not to say that it's always smiling puppies and rainbows at camp. I've also had campers fall apart right in front of me because they don't know if/when they're going to see mom or dad again because they are serving in Iraq or Afghanistan. I've been spit on, kicked, punched, and scratched among other things because some youth didn't know how else to express what they are actually feeling or going through. Some parents have been great and taken me under the wing making some of the best food I've ever had. While others would stand there yelling at me over something that may or may not have occurred that they didn't care for.
So while I will be going back to Iowa for a few months to continue working in the main Camp A office. I truly feel as though that in less than two weeks is when I'll be hanging up my Camp Adventure tall socks for the final time. While it's sad, because this program has meant so much and done so much for me over the years, I can't help but get excited as well. Because the end of this summer just means that the next big thing is around the corner. In about two months, I'll be in Georgia meeting and training with the folks who are going to be my family away from my family during 2012. The people who will see me at my best and probably my worst. And so while I feel plenty of sadness and a little emptyness as this summer ends, I know it's only a temporary feeling. God's preparing me for a brand new season within my life. One that I know will continue to shape me and grow me into who I was designed to. For that reason, I can't help but do anything other than celebrate.
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