Journeymen & Keepers of the Flame
If you’ve been keeping up with our recent social media updates, then you’ve been hearing all about the Journeymen and Keepers of the Flame. Journeymen are our campers who 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 on a Journey, which happens at an unknown time towards the end of the 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. This year we have two Journeymen, who have been preparing with their mentors for the day that the Journey comes. That day began on Tuesday night, after Call to Quarters.
Tuesday evening after everyone was getting ready for bed, Quentin B. and Walker L. were tapped by their mentors to begin their journeys, and bring along their backpacks ready for an adventure. There was no noise besides the quiet crunching of leaves underfoot and the occasional bullfrog croaking as they walked to meet the rest of the group. Quentin and Walker were met by the Men of STEEL, their mentors, and Will C., who earned Keeper of the Flame last summer, who were all there to offer words of encouragement and support. Quentin’s and Walker’s minds were surely racing with feelings of excitement, anticipation, eagerness, and possibly even anxiousness or doubt about the Journey that lay ahead. None of the boys (or even their mentors) knew that that night would begin their Journey. Yates and Ben were waiting to meet them and introduce their first challenge.
The two Journeymen began with the firebuilding portion, one of the most difficult parts of the Journey. Yates reminded 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. Ben then gave them three matches and their instructions to start a fire and keep it going until the end of the stage. The challenge began.
Quentin didn’t make it through the fire stage, but we are incredibly proud of him for even making it to the level of Journeyman, something that not many campers achieve. We hope he’ll return next summer to attempt his Journey again if he wishes. Mitch, the counselor he chose as his mentor, had great things to say about Quentin and how he has continually represented the FCC Code in his actions. “He was very positive and driven going into his Journey,” Mitch said. “Even though he already achieved his Warrior level in woodshop, he was still going back and bringing a positive energy to the shop, and helping younger kids. He’s just been a joy to be around.”
After spending all night with the fire, Walker began the next stages of his Journey. Some parts included a test of endurance, a service component where he chopped wood for future Sunday night Campfires, and a strategy and orienteering challenge where he had to find checkpoints hidden throughout the 900+ acres of camp property before time was up. On top of all this, Journeymen must remain in complete silence throughout each test, giving them time for reflection and listening.
The orienteering challenge was the final test, and often even the hours allotted aren’t enough time for Journeymen to find all the hidden checkpoints. However, Walker was able to persevere through the time crunch and the strenuous physical effort, and found all the points before the time ran out! He returned to the bell to meet Yates and Will, and was greeted by a congratulatory hug from both! Friends flocked over to celebrate Walker’s accomplishment, and he flopped down into the nearest chair to enjoy some well-deserved rest.
“I thought the hardest part was going to be the firebuilding portion, but actually it was the orienteering challenge. I had practiced finding things based on landmarks, but I should have practiced reading topography more,” Walker said. Congratulations to Walker for becoming our 6th Keeper of the Flame!
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 both young men who attempted it. Quentin and Walker have both shown their Warrior Spirit through their diligence in achieving the highest rank in three separate activities, and in accepting the challenge of the Journey, all while modeling the Falling Creek Code and Honor Creed in their daily lives. We’re proud of them both!