Church Camp

We just got back from a week-long UU kids camp. I've been wanting to go for years; we hear a lot during the year about "camp magic" -- a place where generally reluctant UU kids actually want to go every year. 

There are no "families" at camp, even though most (but not all!) adult "counselors" are parents. Some were, but their kiddos are now adults. 

Like most camps, there are campers 3rd grade through 8th grade. Then there are Counselors-in-Training (CITs). Because people continue to want to come back, there are also "Young Adult Mentors" (YAMs). 

My 14-year-old leaned into the no families rule -- generally not making eye contact but not actively avoiding me. 

My 10-year-old declared the rule stupid and refused to follow it, but even so, he did not seek me out much, although bedtime was still important. Lots of singing! Which worked out well for his roommate, who was more homesick than most. 

So I was left as just myself - an adult among kids - parental but not a parent. At camp but not a camper. I found myself SO SELF-CONSCIOUS! Walking the delicate tightrope of asking questions but not be prying, being silent but not withdrawn, being present but not centering myself. I was the only adult who had not been to camp before, so I found myself empathizing with the new kids, who were also the quiet kids, on the edge of every game, sitting alone during meals. What is more tortuous than being a new kid? Turns out... being a new adult. The responsibility to do something about both my own discomfort and theirs made the discomfort urgent. So I went about gathering the loners into community. And by day 3, the CITs had been admonished enough that there were many helpers in this quest. 

And by day 5, there were no outliers. There were certainly still moments of discomfort and shyness and awkwardness that all kids - and all people - have. But camp magic worked. Many became one. And had fun. And accepted our infinite, unique quirkiness. 

I think all camps do this, some better than others. Some more intentionally than others. Our UU camp was very intentional, teaching the skill of inclusion and practicing the courage to show up. So vulnerable and so beautiful. 

The call to worship today at church:

Let's not go building new walls around our hearts

We have already enough that keeps us from each other

Enough that keeps us from ourselves.

For this hour we practice showing up with a willingness to see, to be seen

To remember ourselves, whole, and still becoming better

To believe it is ok to not be ok

That we are loved, even when we feel unlovable

That we belong, even when the ground comes out from under us

To be for each other a surprising generosity, a sudden

sweetness, a sign of hope the start of a new day.

Together, we can be this brave.

The welcoming song:

I pray for you; you pray for me. I love you; I need you to survive. 

I won't harm you with words from my mouth. I love you; I need you to survive.