Day Four

 

 

Nothing jolts someone awake like a 7:30am swim in a cold mountain lake.  It's been a RFKC Boise tradition for many years to take such a swim at least once during the camp.  We call this early morning ritual the Polar Bear Swim. 
Camper, counselor and staff members brave the cold morning air and even colder water temperature to swim the length of the camp swimming area to win the title of Polar Bear.  For those who do not wish to win this distinction, they can wade into the lake, up to their knees and gain the coveted title of Penguin.  This activity isn't compulsory and many of us are happy standing on the dock and cheering the swimmers and waders on while they accomplish their feats. 

 

After a hot shower and breakfast, we head off to Breakfast Club. In addition to our standard programs, our teachers, Sue and Carolyn teach us good life principles through, games, skits and puppet shows. In today's puppet show we learned that each of us is dealing with difficult issues, whether it be loneliness or fears, and that we can overcome these issues by helping one another.

The drama team has been presenting a play this week that is staged within a sheepfold.  The sheep have been dealing with the issue of the grass being greener on the other side.  There, to encourage one of the sheep out of the sheepfold is a wolf, who is promoting the idea that in fact the grass is greener on the other side.  Of course his ultimate goal is to spirit the young sheep away to his den for a mutton meal.  Today we left our story with the Good Shepherd, who looks over the fold,  rushing off to save the poor sheep. Hopefully he's not too late.  The final installment is tomorrow and we will know if the young sheep is safe or a stew.

 

                                      

   The RFKC Boise Players

Today's events were capped off with awards and a graduation ceremony.  Each camper receives an award that has been specially crafted for them.  You may not recognize awards such as "Best Bug Catcher" or "Best Air Guitar" but at RKFC Boise, they are highly valued. 

Once all of the awards were distributed, we began our graduation ceremony, which is for those campers who have reached the upper age limit for attending our camp.  Each graduate receives graduation gifts and their counselor says a special prayer for them.  The day ended on a thoughtful note. 

It can be somewhat difficult for the graduating campers to accept that they will no longer be eligible for camp.  The staff and counselors have become equally attached to the campers and the day can be difficult for them as well.   I think the silver lining is that this reluctance to part ways is a further sign that the camp has made a huge impact on  the camper, counselors and staff members alike and that the year long effort to produce this camp is worthwhile.