Introducing our Newest Keepers of the Flame
As the clock hit 10:45pm we stood in silence under the stars, listening to the cicadas and frogs as we waited for our 6 Journeymen to arrive. It was Friday night, and 6 young men were about to be introduced by their mentors. They would soon begin a journey to attempt the rank of Keeper of the Flame.
A camper becomes a Journeyman when they have reached Warrior, the highest level, in three different activities, as well as consistently displaying that they live by the Falling Creek Code. Journeymen are then eligible to challenge themselves with a Journey, which happens at an unknown time towards the end of the Main Camp session. Those that successfully complete all parts of the Journey are known as Keepers of the Flame, the highest honor that a camper can attain. In Falling Creek’s history, there have only been 3 Keepers of the Flame. In 2019, we had 9 Journeymen begin their journeys, but none made it to the rank of Keeper. On Friday, the 2021 journey began!
This year’s Journeymen were Will C., Pete C., Raines K., Walter M., John S., and William Z. Each of them had chosen a mentor on staff to guide them in the preparation for their journey. On Friday night, these mentors tapped their Journeymen and guided them silently to the meeting spot, where Ben Williams, our Outdoor Adventure Director, was waiting. Ben then guided them to where Yates and several other staff members were gathered, ready to introduce them and begin their Journey. The induction ceremony was brief but inspirational, reminding each of the young men that they have what it takes, and that we are proud of them no matter the outcome of their Journey.
After they were introduced and the first stage was explained, the Journeymen set out to their designated spots to start a fire and keep it going until the end of the stage. Though the whole Journey is challenging, the firebuilding stage is often one of the hardest parts to pass. That night, only three of the Journeymen made it to the next stage: Walter, Will, and John.
In the morning, the Journeymen began the next stages of their Journey, some parts of which included a test of endurance, a service component where they chopped wood for future Sunday night Campfires, and a strategy and orienteering challenge where they must find checkpoints hidden throughout the 890 acres of camp property before time is up. On top of all this, the boys must remain in complete silence throughout each test, giving them time for reflection and listening.
Our Journeymen chopped and stacked the wood for future Campfires, doubling our firewood stock in just one morning. After the final orienteering stage however, there were just two left: John and Will. After completing the final stage within the time limit, these two young men had passed the test of the journey, and were introduced as our newest Keepers of the Flame! They were called up to stand in front of the camp community on Saturday afternoon, and once Yates described the journey they had been through, the silence was broken and we were able to celebrate their accomplishments together!
At camp, we know the importance of adventure, and the growth that can come from appropriate risk and challenge. This Journey is certainly a challenging adventure, and we are proud of all the young men who attempted it. They have shown their Warrior Spirit through their diligence in achieving the rank of Warrior three separate times, and in accepting the challenge of the Journey, all while modeling the Falling Creek Code and Honor Creed in their daily lives. With today being Sunday, I’m sure all of them will appreciate a more relaxed day to rest and recover from their challenge. Congratulations to John and Will for becoming our newest Keepers of the Flame!