In the Secondary School last week, we had our Year 8’s and Year 11’s head off on their year-level camps. Such fun, rich, stretching, and adventurous memories camps create. Do you remember any of your school camps?
I remember one experience on Year 8 Camp VERY vividly. It was a great few days away filled with high ropes and various outdoor activities. But this isn’t the memory that jumps out at me the most. What does, were the events that took place right at the end of the last day. Just as we were about to board the buses to leave the campsite, the teachers wanted to go through the lost property.
So as a whole ‘freshly into high school life’ Year 8 cohort (this was the first year of high school back then) sat there, the teachers lifted up every item of belongings left behind. Jumper, t-shirt, drink bottle, and then it happened. Pink undies!! Pink undies!! I knew immediately they were mine. Pink undies that were mine! There was no way in the world this thirteen-year-old was putting their hand up to admit that! As I sat there red-faced with my head down, I tried to wrack my brain to figure out how this happened.
Can I tell you what? I have never walked out of a hotel room, friend’s house or other location without checking I left something behind again. This memory is seared into my brain because I never want to be in the ‘pink undies’ situation again!
Whilst I hope and pray that your child’s camp experiences are positive and fun-filled, I know this is not always the case. All experiences (positive and negative) can be an opportunity to help build resilience. Being pushed out of our comfort zones, having to do activities in the rain, not always being with our best friends, having to get up really early.. .all of these stretching moments provide both wonderful memories and growth opportunities.
James 1:2-4 says “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
We’re praying your students continue to grow, persevere and mature in all schooling experiences, even the pink undies ones!
