Camp Interruption

Our friend J had a senior high retreat this weekend. J is one of the hardest workers I know. She is 15 years old and a sophomore in high school. Of all of the kids I work with, she is the one that I know gives 110% effort at school. She has chosen getting help with school work over sporting events and activities with her friends more than once.

This weekend was one of those awe inspiring times. I was notified last week that she had a school activity involving a technology group and homework help on Saturday. The group meets once a month and promises to help her with college when she graduates high school. It is a huge commitment that goes for all four years of high schools. In the summer, she will spend time working at internships and other activities that will help her greatly in a few years.

The conflict that arose last week was that she was suppose to be at a winter retreat with the senior high youth group at church. J took care of the problem herself. She explained the situation to the education director at the church. The education director found an adult at the retreat willing to make the 1 1/2 hour drive from the camp to the school group. I agreed to take J from the group back to camp last night.

It was not the way I really wanted to spend a Saturday evening after working all day. I loaded the boys into the car, gave them snacks for the trip and off we went. Jacob and M both have very bad colds and haven't felt well. Jacob was really feeling under the weather last night and today. The only medication young children are suppose to take for colds is tylenol or ibuprofen.

Jacob and M were very well behaved on the trip to camp and back. The total trip to just over 3 hours with a brief stop for dinner. We listened to children's music from around the world in the car and watched for deer and cows (which we saw lots of). It turned out to be a much better trip than I had anticipated.

The highlight of the evening was just knowing that J was able to participate in the retreat despite having a school activity. I was very proud of her when I heard she was willing to miss the retreat to work on homework and other school related activities.