Programers organize people. They dictate the schedule for the day and run most of the large group activities including ambushes. Most of their activities are in the background setting up for events, although they take a lot of photos/video and spend a lot of time with microphones.
I worked as a programer on the east side for week 8 of the summer. It was a lot less physical labor than I had been used to from Engineer Counseling, but it required more thinking and planning. I also spent a lot of time on the zipline. It turned out to be nice that they brought me in for the week because the lead programer on the east side was gone for most of the week. I liked being back on the forefront of the activities, getting to talk to campers and ensuring that their week was going smoothly.
Team Leading:
Again, an explanation is necessary. If you’re not familiar with camp, they split the campers up into tribes of 7-10 kids. For high school week there is a totally different program than usual and they take the 13 tribes and make 3 teams. Each team has a leader that is kind of their cheer leader, mascot, and president. The whole week takes on a very competitive vibe, and the high school campers really get into the theme, which was the Amazing Race this year.
I team led for the Codesterican (sounds like Costa Rican) Cunning Crocodiles. We ended up getting 3rd for the week but our team tried really hard and had fun at every activity. At the end of the week there is a Firebowl session where the competition is over and the campers gather together to share what God has done in their life that week. It’s really something to see the struggles and triumphs that a week of camp causes in their hearts. Firebowl is always a reminder of why we do camp as campers share the impact that the week has on them spiritually.
His-Ability Week Counseling:
Hisability week is during week 10 of summer camp. People with various types of disabilities come to camp for the week. It’s an opportunity for them to participate in the camp experience and some of them have been doing it for longer than I’ve been alive. Most camp activities are still available in a toned down presentation. Handcrafts is moved outside under a tent, and it’s general favorite of most campers.
The flip side is that it’s a major week of growing for the counselors. After 9 weeks of camp most of the counselors will admit their weariness, but the focus is to finish strong. The slower pace of His Week is appreciated, and the whole camp settles down for a nap after lunch. There are also 2-3 counselors per room, so everyone has at least one wingman to work with.
I learned a lot from this week. The Gospel was presented every night by a faithful group of puppeteers and it was refreshing to see how the campers responded in different ways. Many of them understood the messages and wanted to pass it along in any way they could. They really liked one of the songs that says, "Walking down the street tell everyone you meet that God is Love."
Conclusion:
So that was my summer at Camp Barakel in a nutshell. It’s impossible for me to relay everything that happened over the summer, but it’s clear between campers and staff many lives were changed. I touched almost every position that I could between YAP, STEP Counselor, Middle School Counselor, Junior Counselor, Programer, and Team Leader. I prayed before the summer that God would surprise me with what He could do in 3 months and He really came through. I learned a lot about where kids were at spiritually, but the surprise was at how far He could stretch me. I have a pretty big comfort zone, but God really pulled me outside of it.
To God be the glory for all that was accomplished at Camp Barakel this summer!
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