Adventures in Missions highly encourages those going on the race not to have any pre thought out personal expectations for training camp or the race. Now having come out the other side of training camp I would agree with their advice. I did not read any blogs about training camp before leaving and I found the hardest parts of camp to be rather motivating than difficult.
Had I known about what training camp included prior to going, I most likely wouldn’t have approached it with such eagerness. This being due to over analyzation. I do have a little advice to place out there. Instead of telling you what to expect I am going to tell you just a few things to do to make it the best week of your life.
1. Do yourself a favor and remain easy going in the process. Let down your defense mechanisms and listen to Adventures speak into you. Let go of the control and accept all the lessons and encouragement you get.
2. Focus on making it easier for others when you’re at camp. Offer to help your teammates. Help each other set up gear. Continuously offer your help when you can. You may not know them…but trust me,you will love them by the end of the week. It’s good to remember to treat your new family like you would want them to treat you.
3. Get to know people on your squad… but also talk to people on the other squads and gap year squads as well. They often offer a different kind of encouragement than your squad does. Try it and you will see what I mean.
4. Go to every “optional” thing you can. You will learn a great deal during these talks and lessons.
5. Speak: if it is a hard activity express it to a teammate. This isn’t a license to complain. Complaining is annoying at training camp and in all honesty most people don’t. Don’t bring that spirit with you. There are parts of camp that will be overwhelming. So be vulnerable and ask for encouragement. This will allow you to accomplish your tasks with a smile on your face.
6. If it’s hard… Sing. Singing with large groups can make some moments a breeze.
7. Remember training is to help you but it isn’t about you. This isn’t spiritual rehab camp, spiritual rehab needs to happen before training camp. Training camp helps you work through things you perhaps didn’t see. But the things you see in your life now needs to be worked on now.
8. Share your testimony with boldness and ask others to share theirs during dinners and while walking on trails. Learn what God has done in your teammates.
9. Respect anyone you meet and see them as someone to learn from. Be eager to learn.
10. Keep your phone off
11. Don’t bring a mirror. You will find the encouragement and compliments you receive to be enough of a mirror. It’s freeing… Leave it home.
