“You must be about to head off to camp, Tulio.”
I hear this often when I see my friends these days. And despite over 20 years of being a camp director and leaving my home to take responsibility for other people’s kids, I still find the transition challenging.
I know this “travel puff” is part of life’s bargain with me. I don’t get to have the feeling of living a whole year in one summer without a touch of the butterflies. I also know I raised those butterflies, I consciously chose to invite them in. After two decades of doing this, I could have things down to such a perfect and predictable routine that going to camp would be like going to another day at work. I could be feeling comfortable right now if I wanted to.
Instead I am wound up; and that feeling gives me energy and makes me feel alive. No, it’s not comfortable, but it feels like I am about to do something important. I am getting myself ready to be my best and to take chances and make mistakes. This summer we can all help set a tone for a community where people will listen carefully to each other. Any one of us can speak up when our mental picture of how things should be doesn’t match someone else’s – so we can figure it out. That will be living our values and, by doing so, will be peacemaking. And peacemaking is not about a yoga position and humming a mantra any more than the pre-game stretch is about the big game. Peacemaking allows us to form a group, hold each other well, and then do great things.
To recap for TL campers and staff of 2014:
– Pre-camp jitters are a great sign you are about to take chances and do something worthwhile.
– Taking chances means being vulnerable, direct and kind with those around you.
– That awareness allows us to do unbelievable things as a community.
ANYTHING is possible!
EVERYBODY counts!
Let’s get it DONE!