2019 marks 10 years since one of the most empowering, eye-opening and landmark events in my life. Summer Camp!
Summer Camp provides you with the opportunity to expand your worldview by stepping out of your comfort and culture zone. This is achieved by meeting, living with and learning from counsellors and campers from various countries.
Many people have a second-hand understanding of countries and their cultures. We know what we know from what watch on television, read on the internet and hear from our friends and family. This generally leads to misunderstandings and assumptions. Back in 2009 many people, I am sure for their own very good reasons, had their views and opinions on whether I should embark on Summer Camp or not. I distinctly remember one of the questions being, "What can you learn there that you can't learn here?." My reply was a humble, "If it is in His will for me to go then I will."
And I did. I am thankful to God that I did. It was an experience that would change my life forever. I relished everything from meeting new people, hearing their stories, creating new friendships, building relationships and impacting lives.
I had the pleasure of serving as a summer camp counsellor at 2 camps:
1. Stronghold Camp & Retreat Center in Oregon, Ilinois
2. Holmes Camp & Retreat Center in Holmes, New York
The camp directors and staff were friendly, accommodating, helpful, fun and inspirational. Our days were long but exciting and enjoyable. Each activity building confidence, developing skills, connecting people and strengthening our walk with God. I learnt a lot of things, many of which I applied when I got back to South Africa and many of which I am currently applying and developing in the Non-Profit Organisation I founded called Ebukhosini Forty Three Forty. One of them is Leadership. Empowerment. Adventure. Development (L.E.A.D) whereby we work with youth in communities and schools in order to develop and equip them to become leaders and contributing citizens of the world.
One of our objectives through L.E.A.D is to create an international exchange whereby we are able to train and deploy Summer Camp counsellors from South Africa to the USA and to also host volunteers and counsellors from the United States here in South Africa at our L.E.A.D Camps.
On my time off I got to visit the beautiful cities of Chicago and New York. I had the special opportunity of visiting the homes and families of my the American counsellors. Their homes were warm and the food was amazing.
"It's always impossible until it's done." -Nelson Mandela
At one point it did seem impossible as I was unemployed at the time and the financial challenge was a major roadblock. But I had the desire to make this happen. When you have the desire for something and you take initiative to realise it, God will provide the resources. All I needed to do was prepare myself with the Word and empower myself with the necessary skills. God through His grace and divine intervention provided the resources I required.
There are many young people out there from small towns with limited resources. However, do not let that stop you from having an unlimited vision. Have a vision, set goals and set deadlines for those goals. Everyday take one step towards that goal.
I strongly recommended young people to plan and experience Summer Camp at least once in their lives.
If you would like to learn more you may contact www.ebukhosiniforty3forty.co.za
