By: Jemuel Chavez, Summer Intern at Flemingdon Park
Training. Intern training has been relatively easy; we had many workshops that will help us over the course of the summer. Sessions like behavior workshops, personality workshops, and my personal favorite, the games workshop. So there isn’t much room for stressing and thinking about what we have to do during camp. Training is the relaxed, calm part my internship, where the only thing I need to worry about is what lunch I will be packing for the day. This is my calm before the storm, which is camp.
As I write this blog, I am getting ready for a storm of 20-30 kids arriving for Sonshine Day Camp. This is when I begin to panic, and I struggle and worry about what I have prepared. I worry about whether or not certain kids will behave, and whether or not the campers will enjoy the activities I have planned for them. By the first day of camp (today!), I’m all caught up with preparations and making sure everything goes according to plan.
With this in mind, I remember the story of Martha and Mary. Martha was focused on all the preparations and making sure everything was according to plan. However, she forgot the most important thing. She was so busy and distracted that she did not make time to spend with Jesus. This story is a reminder to me to always make time for God, as well as time for the campers, amidst all of the planning and preparation. This is what we are here for; we are here not only to run a camp, but also to build relationships with the campers and to show them God’s love. I also need to take time for a breather, because this is gonna be a long summer. I need to take time to listen and to hear what God has to say.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
-Matthew 6:33
Jemuel is returning to Flemingdon Park for another year of craziness and fun. He is looking forward to continuing to build relationships with the campers.