The End of an Era

I meant to write this post several weeks ago but life got crazy for awhile and other things demanded our attention. Now that things are settling back down, I wanted to write about an experience Chris and I had the week before we moved. 

Heartland Presbyterian Center has held a special place in our hearts since we met working there in 2004. While we both loved working there in the summers during college, there eventually became a time when adult life intervened and we could no longer be out at camp all summer long. When that happened, we both said that we would make every effort to volunteer at least one week per summer. For the last 9 summers (wow, we're old!!), that one week has been directing Friendship Camp, a camp for adults with developmental disabilities. The first 5 summers, Chris directed the camp along with 2 of our other friends and I helped counsel one of the girl cabins (and 1 crazy year, one of the guy cabins!). In the weeks leading up to camp, I would also do the cabin assignments, make the schedule, and other logistical/organizational things. It was a good system and through some trial and error, we developed a pretty good camp! When Chris went to seminary 3 years ago, he was unable to leave NJ for the week of Friendship Camp, so I gave up my counseling role and took on the Director role. There were a few missteps that first year but all new jobs come with a learning curve. Luckily we had a great system in place and all I had to do was tweak the cabin assignments and schedule each summer. It was a challenging role but a good one. 

This summer, since Chris had graduated by the time camp rolled around, he was able to direct the camp again (which he was SUPER happy about!) and since our friends were unable to help,  I stepped into the Assistant Director role. As it turned out, that meant doing all the cabin assignments, making the schedule, modifying the Bible Study curriculum, and driving the mini-van around to assist campers who had a hard time walking up the steep hills. It was a lot of fun and very long days! It was also bittersweet because Chris and I know that our time with Friendship Camp is probably coming to a close. We will still be in Ireland next year and unable to direct and who knows what our church or family life will bring us after that!  However it was a great summer to end our almost decade of service. The Summer Staff were awesome and always ready to help, a lot of times jumping in before I could even ask! The campers were great and 3 of them were my former students. It was a lot of fun catching up with those guys!

Friendship Camp means a lot to both Chris and myself. It has shaped our lives in many ways (It is one of the big reasons I decided to become a Special Education Teacher!) and we are passionate about it. In fact we are so passionate about it that two of our friends from New Jersey flew out to volunteer for the week. It was great to have another male counselor and a fabulous full time nurse!! (as well as spend a little time with good friends!)

So this may be the end of an era, but we hold a lifetime of memories! 

The four PTS folks at the end of a great week at Friendship Camp!