Dear Future World Racer,
So, you’re officially getting ready for Training Camp. You’ve bought your pack (and still can’t figure out what all of those dang straps and zippers are for). You’ve wondered how on earth you’re going to fit all of your clothes into that tiny packing cube. And maybe, after what felt like wrestling a parachute with legs, you’ve even learned how to set up a tent for the first time.
At this point, I bet you’re feeling excited, nervous, giddy, nauseous, and every other emotion under the sun. That’s how many of us on iSquad felt too!
At Adventures in Missions, they value and stress experiencing the World Race and prepping for it with no expectations. And I agree with that 100%. But, there are a few things that I did before Training Camp that made things much easier. There are also things that I would have done differently if I could. I want to offer you the advice I’m glad I listened to and the advice I wish I would have heeded/known.
Without further ado, here are my 10 Tips to Make the Most of Training Camp.
#1) Pack less than you think you need.
There are a couple of reasons I am glad that I did this.
First, whatever you pack, you carry. And if there’s less to carry, well… let’s just say you’ll thank me later.
Second, I learned that I didn’t need near as much as I thought I did. You can wear those shorts multiple times. And no, no one is going to care if you already wore that shirt twice. Believe me.
And finally, if you end up forgetting something, no worries. Someone on your squad is bound to have what you forgot and will be more than willing to share. On the Race, sharing is caring. And Training Camp will prepare you for a lot of sharing.
#2) Bring moleskin, Band-Aids, and/or blister bandages.
When it comes to blisters at Training Camp, the struggle is real. Save yourself the pain. It’ll free you up to enjoy and participate in activities more rather than worrying about how much your feet hurt.
#3) Bring a journal with plenty of empty pages.
You’re going to get to spend time with The Lord every morning, soak in loads of wisdom from speakers, and have a lot of personal time with your squad. You’re going to want plenty of space to record and process it all.
Sub-Tip: Each day, I wrote in my journal about my feelings and what I was thinking. But I also made a list each day of things that happened, big and small. I’m glad I did that because I can remember so much more about Training Camp now. I’d encourage you to do the same. You’ll want to remember this week. It’s a good one.
#4) A Small Bottle of Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soap + Paracord = Magic.
Remember Tip #1? The one about not needing as much as you think you do? Well, here’s how I got through a week of living in the backwoods of Georgia with only one medium-sized packing cube.
Dr. Bronner’s is an incredible multi-purpose soap. I used it as face wash, soap, and laundry detergent. Oh yea, buddy. Laundry detergent. Fill up a bucket with water, tie that paracord around whatever you can find, and you can make that tiny bag of clothes last you much longer than a week.
BONUS: You’ll be one of the few that doesn’t smell so… pungent.
DOUBLE BONUS: You’ll be a massive blessing to your squadmates if you share. 🙂
#5) Earplugs.
You’ll earn your sleep while at Training Camp. You’ll need your sleep while there too. Don’t let it be ruined by loud cicadas, roaring thunder, or your lovely choir of snoring squadmates. I packed several pairs of earplugs and I’m convinced they are the main reason I slept so well.
#6) Participate fully in every experience and activity.
Jump in with both feet. You won’t regret completely investing and you’ll reap so many blessings.
#7) Push yourself beyond your comfort-level.
Push yourself to try new things. New foods, new games, new conversations, new experiences in worship. You might not like them, and that’s okay. But chances are you’ll like that new food, share roaring laughter in that new game, learn something from that new conversation, and go deeper with Jesus in that new worship. You’ll grow. And it will be good.
#8) Receive more grace. Give more grace.
Training Camp was simultaneously the hardest and best week I’ve experienced in quite some time. Walls are going to fall. Barriers are going to crumble. Hearts are going to be healed. And through all of this, grace is going to flow.
Allow yourself to receive more grace. Allow yourself to extend more grace.
#9) Get to know as many of your squadmates as possible.
Here is where I want you to learn from my mistake. During Training Camp, I got to know many of my squadmates… but not nearly as many as I should have.
3 of our squadmates ended up postponing their Race. I wish I would have gotten to know them better.
Later that week, I was wrong and made judgements about others, choosing to not go out of my way to get to know them. Luckily, The Lord was kind and showed me quickly that I was avoiding those squadmates out of my own insecurity. I finally got to spend time with the people I was purposely avoiding and, guess what… I found out that they were wonderful people that I wanted to be friends with.
Please don’t do what I did. Please don’t make judgements. Make an intentional effort to invest in your squad. Don’t put yourself in the position to potentially miss out on a great friendship.
#10) Trust that the staff at Adventures in Missions care immensely for you, are always striving to act in obedience to The Lord, and are doing their best to prepare you for the incredible journey ahead.
Your Squad Parents, Squad Mentors, Squad Trainers, Squad Leaders, Speakers, Worship Leaders, Administrators, Volunteers, Chefs, Mobilizers, and everyone else on staff at AIM have been praying earnestly for you and your squad. They love you. They are here for you. And they are invested in seeing your relationship with The Lord grow exponentially. You are safe to trust them.
Future Racer, I hope that this post has helped you, practically and spiritually. I am so excited for you to experience Training Camp. I have no doubt that, no matter what happens, you are going to grow in wonderful ways. Remember, free yourself of expectations and get ready… The journey is beginning.
P.S. If you’re an alumni or current Racer, what tips would you give future Racers for Training Camp?
