Authored by Brendan Weafer:
There is always excitement going to camp to see old friends and to make some new ones. Hearing about the camper’s year and catching up is always a mix of joy and sadness. Getting reacclimated to each child’s struggle is always a shock, you forget how vastly different each case is.
The first day the kids are always the most distant, almost forgetting the bonds formed from years before. By the second day, those old friendships are once again familiar and everyone opens up remembering that a camp is a place of acceptance and support. This year working with the kids on goal setting the first day was challenging since they are still slow to open up but ultimately important to help them set intentions for the week. The second day I was able to simply spend time with the kids without an agenda which allows the conversation to flow in more natural ways. By the time I worked with the kids on nutrition and smoothie making their interaction with one another was much positive.
The activity I most look forward to each year is actually the ‘cabin chats’ where the kids get to discuss some of the things they are facing emotionally/personally/socially. I love being able to share some of my experiences with them in hopes that it helps facilitate a shift in their own perspectives.
One of my favorite moments this year was singing with the kids around the campfire. The sky was ablaze with the setting Montana sun, the air was cool and the spirits were high, the hope and optimism in the kids’ voices were truly heartwarming. It was one of the most beautiful moments in my life, one I will never forget.
Being a professional fighter and a life-long martial artist I’ve been able to use athletics to obtain new experiences and teaching the kids about martial arts was no different. One of the most amazing moments was having to sit backward on a folding chair in order to help some of the more limited campers drill/train some of the techniques they’re learning. It was special to watch these kids encur the discomfort and try something new physically.
Every year the most surprising thing is the reminder of how resilient and joyful these kids are despite all they have going on in their lives.