Think of a camp where if your kid does attend, you will be very grateful.
Surprisingly, I'm writing about the same camp.
What is this you ask? Why am I writing about it? What can we all learn from this camp? Stay tuned….
What????
It is a camp sponsored by the local Hospice, where Beth works, and it is held at Camp Thunderbird in Lake Wylie, South Carolina. Here is a brief description from their website:
"The 9th Annual Chameleon's Journey grief camp will take place on October 18 and 19, 2008 at Camp Thunderbird in Lake Wylie, South Carolina. Presented by KidsPath ®, this overnight camp includes a well-planned program of educational, artistic, creative and physical activities that give campers, ages 7-16, the opportunity to express their thoughts and feelings of grief and share their stories in a caring, confidential and safe environment. Campers come away from the camp with an increased knowledge of the grieving process. They also develop new relationships to help them know they are not alone."
Why????
Well, I had heard about the camp, from a friend at the YMCA. For years I have thought it would be something Beth and I could do together. We both love the idea of camp, a place play, to get away, walking outside in a natural setting. Beth is as great relating to kids as she is to adults, and I love the teambuilding, and reflective times.
The fun started on Wednesday, when I started running a fever. I taught my afternoon swim 
lessons, which did not help, and came home feeling lousy! Great, what does this mean for the weekend? Well, after checking with the camp nurses, and waiting until Friday to make the decision, we decided to try it. By Friday, I still felt bad but the fever was gone. I was one of 4 counselors in our group of 13/14 years-olds and the only guy. They had at least 1 male counselor in each group to provide support for the guys.
Despite feeling very lousy and tired, I think I was able to provide that support. I facilitated the icebreaker and team building games, and worked with the other counselors in debriefing.
The picture is of one of the guys in my group with his mom. They launched a balloon together with a note he had written on it. They stood there for a long time until the balloon was out of sight. If I had a part in helping this kid on his journey, it was worth it!
Beth, of course did great, connected with the kids and staff, "Won" the dance competition (more on that perhaps later);-) There is rumor of a video...... $$$$
I, am back to bed with my fever and flu. But, that's OK, I can still get to my school...
Lessons
It hurts to remember but you don't want to forget
Healing is a journey
Trust is an important part of the healing, just as is the community in which that trust is built.
Live intentionally. Is what I'm doing now the best thing to be doing? For now and the longer walk? By doing something difficult, continuing when I am weak, going where the path is unsure, helps in the process of figuring out what is important, what things add to my life, what things take away.
Since distractions and choices are many and seem non-stop, this has to be a constant activity.
Oh, one last item, you don't need to grieve all the time, you need to have some FUN!
Chameleon's Journey, what an idea!
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