A Heap of Fun: Skills Camp
Emily Shields
This summer, we’re turning the blog over to Emily “Heaps” Shields, who is serving on our camp crew as our office support staff and all around amazing helper. She’s got a ton of skills, and one of them is telling THE best stories. What better person to tell you the little beautiful details about what camp is like during the summer? We’re calling this summer of Emily “A Heap of Fun”… enjoy!
As I write this all warm and cozy on my favourite green, velvet, floral chair in the Town Hall, some of my fellow Camp Crew are suffering down at the beach. It seems odd to use the word ‘warm’ and ‘cozy’ together in the month of July. But let me tell ya, IT IS COLD THIS WEEK.
It’s currently 13*C here in Torrance. The rain has been unrelenting; the air is damp; and, THERE’S A WIND CHILL. I legitimately saw my breath as I ate lunch this afternoon under the outdoor dining tent! I’m trying my best not to voice any complaints because they would pale in comparison to those who have been at the waterfront, permanently soaked in these conditions for the past three days. It’s officially Skills Camp here at Beacon, and even though the summer is running differently than ever before, some things just never change!!
For those of you who aren’t aware, each year Beacon hosts a week of skills training for lifeguards, canoe instructors and other specialty skills. It’s open to staff from other Christian camps too. The schedule is grueling (we’re talkin’ 8 am to 10 pm the first day; and 8 am to 5 pm every day after that!). The course is exhausting (just thinking about acting out fake scenarios in the water with convincing gusto ALL DAY tires me out!). And the weather is usually THE ABSOLUTE WORST. Participants are definitely pushed to their limits!!
Two members of our Camp Crew--Julia “Shimmer” Patelli, and Matthew “Logic” Lewis--undertook the full course this week; and the following is the tiniest glimpse into some of the conversations I had with them about their experience:
What are you most proud of?
JSP: It’s been some of the toughest days of my life, and I was going through them together with strangers. But, we were able to joke around, laugh, and make it as enjoyable as possible even though it was hard. So, I had fun at the same time!
MLL: My time of 5 minutes, 40 seconds for the fitness test called the Run-Swim-Tow (running 100 meters, swimming 100 meters, and towing someone back to shore for another 100 meters).
What was your favourite fake lifeguarding situation scenario to act out?
JSP: When I was playing ‘Stick’ on the diving tower with a friend, and got a stab wound in my leg before falling off!
MLL: I really enjoyed rescuing Alyssa who had swum under the dock, and had “lost” consciousness!
What was the most difficult part?
JSP: Putting on a wet, wet suit. Also, when I woke up in the morning knowing that it was pouring rain outside, that it was cold, and that I had another two days to go.
MLL: Trying to regain body heat and keep warm!
This past week, I’ve developed a whole new appreciation for those who sacrifice their own fun and relaxing swim time in order to look out for my well-being in and around the water. And I really hope that the next time you find yourself frolicking with glee during Swim Time at Beacon, that you’ll take a moment to say a hearty thank you to the lifeguards on duty. The training they went through is enough for them to want to avoid water for the rest of their lives, yet, with an eternal perspective, they servant-heartedly choose to contribute to this area of need at camp!