A list of things that will most likely not happen at a World Race Training Camp (from my experience).
1. Don’t expect to smell good 24/7. If you have a training camp in the summer, like myself, you will be sweaty, you will be dirty, you might even take advantage of a rain shower because with over 200 girls and only 8 shower stalls the line is long and you sweat just waiting for your turn.
2. Don’t expect a warm shower with water pressure. SURPRISE! Your shower consists of filling a bucket with hose water and using a measuring cup to dump small portions over yourself. BONUS! Its actually not as bad as it sounds because cold water on a hot Georgia day is a blessing in all forms.
3. Don’t expect to have AC/be cool. The Training Center and Lodge are your only sources of cool air, don’t take them for granted. The rest of the days it will either be humid and sunny, or humid and rainy, even in your tent you will be hot.
4. Don’t expect clean clothes every day. If you were the person at camp to pack exactly 10 shirts and 10 pairs of pants, all power to you for carrying all of those clothes in your pack. If you are not that person, you have to be willing to wear clothes 2 or 3 times in those 10 days, even if they are slightly sweaty, even if that stubborn Georgia mud got on them.
5. Don’t expect to be able to do laundry. I tried it. I failed. Rain is unpredictable and likes to come when clothes are on the line drying for the 3rd day. (humidity and shade were also factors in my clothes taking 3 days to dry completely, yet still ended up smelling bad)
6. Don’t expect a passive heart/mind. Whether you feel the Holy Spirit moving within you or see Him working in others, He is always surrounding us. If we don’t feel the Holy Spirit or are even resisting Him, He never leaves us, He is always within us.
7. Don’t expect a traditional worship service. The World Race is not traditional and its not a place of judgement. When we worship we are praising God, each in our own way, in our own timing, and with our own voice. No two people worship the same way and no two people have the same relationship with the Lord. NEVER feel ashamed or fear judgement of your form of worship.
8. Don’t expect your mom/dads home-cooked american style food for every meal. Considering the fact that you (racers) will travel all over the world in order to spread the Kingdom of God, you should not expect american food everywhere you go. At training camp I ate more rice in 10 days than I have in most of my life! Rice, beans, noodles, greens, pita bread, crickets, eggs, and chicken gizzard. You name it, I ate it.
(If you’ve made it this far you’re halfway there! Keep reading!!)
9. Don’t expect to not learn anything. In the 10 days at Training Camp I learned sooooo much about other world religions, my relationship with the Lord, community, ministry, and evangelism. You will come away knowing/understanding more than before, DO NOT NEGLECT THIS KNOWLEDGE!
10. Don’t expect to be left alone. That may sound bad, but what I’m trying to say is that the World Race community BELIEVES IN COMMUNITY! Loving and supporting one another, learning from one another, being vulnerable and praying for one another. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek advice because your teammates, leaders, and mentors are there to support you.
11. Don’t expect great sleep. You will have many sleeping arrangements throughout camp, some you may enjoy, some you may hate or get no sleep in. Yes, you will feel the effects, (try not to fall asleep during sessions) but you are learning about living in community and the value of good sleep for everyone. One or two cranky racers can make the whole squad cranky.
12. Don’t expect to love every minute of it. There will come a time where you miss your bed, your bathroom, your AC, your parents, your siblings, your dogs, and your “normal” routine at home, but don’t worry too much, this happens to most, if not all, racers. Just remind yourself that through this camp, you are changing your routine to whatever God calls it to be.
13. Don’t expect to stay in your comfort zone. You will be stretched and challenged every day at camp. That may come in the form of being super vulnerable with your team, sleeping in a tent for 10 days, worshiping in a way that is new to you, or participating in goofy games with your squad/team. Don’t be afraid of whats outside of the box, because next year you’ll be living outside of it.
14. Don’t expect bug/dirt free living. Bugs live outside, if I’m outside for 20 out of 24 hours a day, I am living in their habitat, not mine. Don’t kill them, they probably won’t hurt you, but do be cautious of them and ALWAYS wear/bring bug spray!! I don’t think my feet were fully clean outside of the showers at all during training camp, partially my own fault for wearing Chacos the whole time, but on your feet, under your nails, in your tent, and on your clothes/bags, you will find dirt. By the end of the 10 days, I was embracing it, God made dirt and dirt wont hurt, but baby wipes always help 😉
15. Don’t expect anything! If you go in with no expectations about who you will meet, what activities you will partake in, and what you will learn, then you can’t be let down and you can be pleasantly surprised with everything God sends your way!
All in all, training camp was a learning and challenging experience, but I wouldn’t change a thing about it! God helped me learn and grow so much in just 10 days, that I can’t wait to see what He will do with me in 9 months. Training camp has helped me to accept how i am different from others, but know that God created me in His image and with a purpose for me in mind. You are worthy, you are loved, and God has a plan for you. (John 13:7)
If you have more questions about training camp for me, or just want to talk, feel free to email, text, call or reach out through social media!
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