Choosing the Challenge

The first full day of activities sent campers all over Falling Creek. Some headed to the climbing wall while others picked up fly rods or paddles. Across camp, boys tied knots, practiced archery, tested themselves in the lake, and began working toward goals that looked a little different for each of them.

That made it the perfect day to introduce this week’s camp theme: Endeavor.

At Falling Creek, endeavor means choosing to keep trying when something is hard. Over the next four weeks, every camper will have opportunities to practice it in his own way.

Counselor Michael Mullen says that’s what makes this week’s theme so personal.

What is a hard activity for one person won’t be difficult for another,” he said. “Rock climbing is very difficult for me. But the patience required for pottery might be very hard for someone else.

Camp encourages boys to step outside their comfort zones, whatever those might be.

“Everybody needs different things,” Michael said. “We ask you to try.”

For Roman B. from Austin, Texas, endeavor looks like rock climbing.

The rock is always changing angles and asks so much of you,” he said. “But I like that. I just like the sport. It’s not about making progressions.

Roman enjoys the challenge as much as the climb itself.

For Sanders G. from New Orleans, Louisiana, endeavor means working toward Warrior in Fly Fishing. He already knows reaching that goal won’t happen in a single day.

I’m going to need perseverance because I’ll have to cast into the wind and use different techniques. If I only catch nine fish in one day and fall one fish short, I’ll just have to come back again the next day and try again until I reach the goal.

For Sanders, progress isn’t measured by one afternoon. It’s measured by the willingness to come back tomorrow.

For first-year camper Webster B. from Washington, D.C., endeavor looks a little different.

“I’m excited to try the swim test and see how I do. Cabin One is fun and I like my cabinmates.”

His goal wasn’t earning a progression. It was simply trying something new.

As Cabin One headed to its next activity, a few campers realized they had left their rain jackets behind. Their counselor sent them back to grab them before the cabin continued on.

It was a small reminder that camp is full of firsts. Every activity, every hike, and every lesson is an opportunity to learn something new.

Sometimes endeavor looks like climbing a mountain.

Sometimes it simply means taking the first step.

Quote of the Day

“If I only catch nine fish in one day and fall one fish short, I’ll just have to come back again the next day and try again until I reach the goal.”

— Sanders G., New Orleans, Louisiana

Around Camp

• Outdoor Activity Preps: Campers began their preps for outdoor adventures yesterday. There were storms in the areas which delayed some activities, but every group made the most of it by working on other skills needed to make progress. For example, at rock climbing, boys worked on their knot skills. Whiles at paddling, boys familiarized themselves on the parts of the boat and worked on dry land rescue techniques.

• Trying Something New: Whether it was a swim test, a climbing route, or the first cast of the summer, campers spent the day discovering what endeavor looks like in their own activities.

• Looking Ahead: Today: Campers will continue cabin overnights with the second half of camp heading out tonight and the other half of camp will enjoy Competition Night in their lines as Evening Program this evening.