What many would call a "Camp Veteran"

The worst part about going home from a camp is waking up the next day, and realizing that it’s over. Sometimes I feel like I suffer from Post-Camp Depression, haha. I’ve been going to youth camps since I was 12 years old, so the Bible 365 College Camp is my 8^th camp as a camper, or 9^th if we were to include Passion.

I’ve outgrown the embarrassment of being called out during Round the Table, and I’ve learned to become creative in my dances when I get picked out for Total Eclipse. I’ve gone from being the youngest campers –calling almost everyone ate and kuya to being one of the eldest –being called ate by almost everyone. I’ve gone from worrying about sitting alone in the bus to sitting at the back of the bus along with the other rowdy ones, to basically not caring who I end up sitting with, or where I end up sitting. I am, what many would consider a "camp veteran", or an old timer/oldie for the younger ones or new ones, haha.

Although being a "camp veteran" does seem to have its perks, because you become more and more confident of things, there are also certain disadvantages. Like feeling like you’re just doing the same thing over and over again, such as the usual team cheer or awkward ice breakers. I’ve come to realize that although I don’t mind, or even enjoy meeting new people, I dislike icebreakers, because I feel like we’re all placed in a position where we’re all forced to get to know each other. Then the team cheer is just something I’ve been doing way too many times.

So I was hesitant to go to camp this year. For the most part it was because most of my closest friends were either not going, or part of the camp staff. Not to mention some of the campers that I was a counselor in during Faithbook High School Camp were going to be my fellow campers. Gah, I was just thinking how embarrassing that would be. But since I really had nothing else to do this summer, I went, because I knew that in the end, I’ll always get something out of it.

There were two things that I was specifically praying for before I went to camp:                                                                     
1.) That I be sensitive to the new campers, and take the time to get to know them, and                                  
2.) That I would be enthusiastic about all the camp activities, even though I might possibly be doing the same things all over again.

So I’m not going to be all detailed about how camp went, but I’m just going to say how glad I am that I was wrong about this year’s camp. Bible 365 College Camp was different. Sure we still had the same shinnanigans, but they executed them in such a different manner. From the icebreakers, to the team cheers, to the amazing race, everything seemed to have that extra oomph. Then they added this new game called Colleticons, which is patterned after the card game, Monopoly Deal. That was pretty crazy, because that game was played during the whole camp. It encouraged people to interact with each other more, but at the same time it made people suspicious of each other, haha. The activities were really well thought of, and the campers were so game about it. The fact that there weren’t many of us (the quota to reach was 120, there were about 88 of us) made it easier for people to get to know each other as well.

I think since many of the people I’d usually hang out with weren't there, I got to know some of the other old campers more, and got to talk to more new people.

Then of course there was the topic on Suffering, which was really a lot to take. We studied the book of Job, where after reading, you’ll realize how small your problems seem to be as opposed to what he faced. I found myself tearing up in some of the plenary sessions, because they were all so true, and yet so difficult to accept. I’m not going to be all detailed about what I learned, maybe not in this blog, or I don’t even know if I’ll be able to blog about it, but I’ve just realized how I really have no right, or no one has any right to question God. It’s been really difficult, and I’m not going to pretend that I’m all victorious about my situation. In fact, I think this form of suffering is something I’ll have to constantly face, until I see God face to face, and when I see mum again. It’s something that I have to deal with, and bring it up to Him everyday.

So in a nut shell, I’m so glad I still went to camp this year. This is what I would consider the best college camp I’ve gone to, not to mention my team won 1^st place. After 8 or 9 camps, this is my first time to actually be in a team that won all in all, haha. I’m so happyyyy. My team was just awesome, everyone was so game, not to mention, Jasper, Dave, Nat, and Eric were competitive, so I think the others rode along with us, and I believe my other teammates deserved to be mentioned as well, so excuse me while I mention their names: Carlo, Red, Steve, Bethany, and Janelle. Everyone was so participative, and was just willing to help the team in whatever way they can. It was sweet.

GO GREEN HAWKS! I’m so darn proud of us! AAAAAH! -victory cry.

If you’ve noticed the sudden change of topic, or mood, I did that on purpose, haha. Anyway, God and I still have a lot of talking to do. He’s let me rant to Him these past couple of months, so He made me listen to Him this time at camp. So... we’ve got some talking to do.

Cheers to the best college camp I’ve gone to. Tamang-tama... Last ko na yata... as camper :)