When Boys Become Men

My goal going into the summer was to post a blog every single week about my life at camp. I quickly realized that a new post every single week was simply going to be impossible. Since my camp runs in two-week sessions, I figured a post every other week would be more feasible.

I succeeded on time with session 1, but failed with session 2. So here it is, posted about a week later than anticipated: my second session recap from camp.

When Cabins Change

It’s strange to have 10 boys laughing/fighting/living in your cabin for two straight weeks only to see their bunks suddenly supplanted by new bodies and bedspreads. This cabin was much more boisterous than the first group. Boisterous in “good” ways, certainly; boisterous in less desirable ways as well.

Regardless of the new cabin dynamics, I loved getting to know 8 completely new kids from across the southeast. One boy stayed over from the first session, so it was cool to have a flare of the familiar thrown in with a batch of the new.

When Boys Become Dirty

This session featured a few memorable activities, the most memorable and injury-inducing being “MudFest.” During training week, all the staffers took part in this epic battle amid the largest mud crater you’ve ever seen. I exited the mud pit covered in brown goo and had cuts in places I still don’t understand.

Now it was time for the kids to get in the pit.

You really should’ve seen them. Most were excited out of their mind; others held the sincerest death-stare of fear you’ve ever seen. When it was all said and done, about 80 boys turned the lake brown as they jumped into it headstrong and surfaced clean.

Truly the greatest metaphor for Christ washing away sins that I’ve ever witnessed.

When Boys Become Men

In my last recap, I briefly mentioned how I was moved by something called “Council Ring.” I’ve now experienced multiple Council Rings, and I’ll elaborate why this Sunday night ceremony has gotten me each time.

Every Council Ring, counselors have the opportunity to “promote” their campers. The camp operates a promotion system, and as the boys grow in their leadership and walk with Christ, they’re awarded with new “ranks” and beads. Maybe it sounds kinda hokey as I type out the description, but I promise the ceremony is anything but that.

Everyone enters Council Ring shirtless, their chests and bodies painted with their tribe’s colors. A roaring fire is lit as 200+ campers and counselors sit around it. Campers aren’t allowed to speak or they’re pulled from the ceremony.

The setting just has a certain hallowed aura to it.

After some lighter-hearted activities open the ceremony, the more serious stuff occurs — and that’s where I struggle to hold it all together. The lowest rank to the highest are called out, and those getting promoted to said rank are signaled forward by their counselors. Then the assistant director charges them with the responsibilities of their new rank, awarding them with new beads and a new “sign” to carry on the walk back to camp.

I wish I could show you a video clip of just one of these charges. Gives me chills every time.

My co-counselor and I always deliberate beforehand who should get promoted. Oftentimes they’re easy decisions, one way or the other; sometimes they’re not. And usually there’s a strong reaction when we return to camp — one way or the other.

Boys beam with pride when they’re promoted.

Boys cry with devastation when they’re not.

When we return to the cabin, me and my co-counselor always sit the boys down one at a time and seriously discuss why they were/weren’t promoted. What they’re doing right, what they’re doing “wrong,” and most importantly how they can grow.

Ah, growth. This whole promotion system with ranks and beads and signs ultimately gears toward their growth as a man — a man of God.

Men who don’t start fights but calm them.

Men who don’t expect service but serve.

Men who don’t take pride in themselves but pride in their God.

My words feel feeble, but I promise you it’s just beautiful beyond words. There’s something inherently powerful in witnessing young boys transform into young men. If there’s one specific thing I’ll miss most when camp ends next month, it’s Council Ring. By far.

Quickie Memories

To wind this post down, here are some other solid second session memories:

• A Gideon-themed sock war in which the Israelites, in fact, lost to the Midionites. And yes, I was a dastardly Midionite.
• Acting like a hobo during a massive role-playing game set in a faux New York City complete with Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, and Madison Square Garden. I walked around begging for spare change while holding a cardboard sign that read CIVIL WAR VETERAN. YOUR KINDNESS APRESHIATED. Some of the kids actually got it.
• Swinging to sleep in a hammock over this stunning campout location:

• Tubing down a creek 90 minutes from camp. It was refreshing to get away from the usual for a day and enjoy this special trip with my tribe. Also, eating well over 10 pieces of pizza for dinner that night.
• A pretty sweet fireworks display for the Fourth of July! You go, Black Mountain. Take a look:

Holy mess, this summer is already over halfway over. Striving to make the most out of it before it slips from my grasp.

Before I close, here’s a picture of the back of the sign as you leave camp. Fitting for my life in so many ways. I can’t wait to write about that someday.

Amen and amen. Trout out.

– Traveling Golden Trout