"You're Working for a Month, and Not Getting Paid?" Part II
In just two weeks, I’ll find myself boarding a plane to Seattle, where I will get on a bus with 50 other college strangers my age, from universities of all sizes and grandeurs, then cross the border into Canada, spending my first night in the Pacific North West, on the floor somewhere in Egmont. After an early morning rise, I will hop on a ferry with those same 50 strangers, finding my way eventually to the Princess Louisa Inlet, and finally on the docks of “The Malibu Club” a Younglife Camp. This uncharted oasis camp facility will be home for me for the next month as I serve students from all over the United States and other parts of the globe while on Summer Staff.
Around this same time last year I found myself in a similar position; fleeing from reality to do something fulfilling and meaningful as I spent a month in Williams, Arizona at Lost Canyon, another Younglife property. This summer, I had the opportunity to find myself at the pinnacle camp location, in a place entirely absent of cell service, internet, and any direct communication with the outside world; a place only accessible by boat or sea place. To many, this desolation and retreat from technology is the root of stress and anxiety, but I thoroughly look forward to an opportunity to truly disconnect with the world and truly connect with myself, and the other phenomenal people that I have the chance to work with. There’s something so intrinsically special about living in close intentional community with a group of similar minded people who hold the same truths close to heart.
Each person is given a certain task and responsibility based on their diverse skill sets from their lives back home. Some people will work on the waterfront, other people find themselves utilizing food preparation skills working as chefs, some people work to maintain the property’s elegance as grounds crew, and others work directly with event coordination and preparation as program techs. My background and experience placed me in the role where I will be working on the High ropes, encouraging students to face fears and become conquerors for what may be a very new and uncomfortable experience. The most rewarding aspect of this position is that I get the opportunity to individually interact with merely every camper and the leader who brought them to camp week after week. Being face to face with students in a situation that may stretch their physical comfort, and having the chance to encourage them is fulfilling; especially when I get to celebrate their individual victories both on and off the course. It is so redeeming for the soul.
This experience will also be challenging in some ways for me. This will only be the second time that I have ever left the United States. Although I’ve developed a newfound love for travel, there are certain uncertainties that naturally come with the territory that I will have to face. Meeting people for the first time in the airport, (besides stalking all of their Instagram Accounts) and just going along with them is something that brings me some discomfort. There’s an unnecessary, yet reverent fear about how others will treat you, and how the overall dynamic of the group will work.
In addition to all of our individual expectations and duties, numerous times during each week, all of the summer staff members will come together to put on and host massive camp wide events. These are some of the moments I look forward to the most, because it is so gratifying seeing so many meticulous pieces fall into place in the right moment, creating an experience and creating an encounter that students won’t forget.
It’s somewhat fiscally irresponsible to leave my actual job, to work long hard intensive hours for free when I have an avalanche of student debt rising above me and countless other bills; and I’ve received some backlash for my choice to spend a month of my summer, at camp. I’m totally aware of the sacrifice that it takes, but I’m at a weird place in my life right now and it for some odd reason just makes sense. Financial security, isn’t my biggest priority, personal accomplishments aren’t my primary focus, I’m not tied down in a serious relationship, and I’m not really worried about my future. I’m at a place where I want to recentralize what values I hold close, and grow personally in incalculable ways; all while being part of something momentous for high school students.
One thing personally that I hope to take from this month is to become more understanding and openly loving towards people. The complexities of the human mind, heart, body and spirit are unfathomable; yet if we choose to deliberately seek a better understanding of each other, our differences seem to delineate as we become to see our fellow man with greater compassion and care. The beauty of this month is that all 50 strangers (new best friends) come from very diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, and in the absence of social media and temperamental relationships, the communication that can be had are open, honest, vulnerable, and intentional. This is something that we rarely get to encounter in a world of overexposure and constant bombardment of ideas and information.
Before going on site, I was required to complete an online training, and one of the curricular values that came up was this notion of ‘Challenging Preconceptions.” This in turn means to lay all knowledge and predispositions aside, to become fully immersed and present in the moment. An entirely fresh start to an entirely new place, with entirely new people, in an entirely new encounter. In the world outside of camp, we forget this because we desperately fear a lack of awareness. We obsess over details, and deadlines, and predetermined expectations that we get off track and forget our end goal, and lose sight of why we even started. While at camp, I hope to rekindle my love for the Younglife organization, and be reminded of the joy that life it meant to be filled with—even when so often we’re told otherwise.
As I begin laying my ridiculous flowered button-ups, favorite soft t-shirts, and pirate costume aside, the moment is finally becoming real. The countdown began in February, and it’s surreal knowing that the time has finally come.
My Bank Account may be Empty, but my Heart is Full.
Oh Canada!
-Nick
