I just got off the phone with a first-time Camp Takajo dad. His son is a delightful boy, who is excited to take advantage of all the activities we have here at camp. But in an effort to make connections with his peers, he has made a few poor choices. The first time there was a minor incident, the boys in the bunk called this camper on it and referred to Camp Takajo’s arch, sharing that we are a camp that instills positive values, which include honesty, integrity, and in this case, friendliness. The new camper apologized and said that in his desire to be accepted by his bunkmates, he was perhaps trying too hard and bringing negative attention upon himself. I refer to this behavior as age appropriate, inappropriate behavior.
A few days later, this first-time camper was egged on by some of his peers to pull a little prank on one of his bunkmates. Having very little history with this camper, his prank was received as something more malicious than funny. When the prank backfired, this first-time camper came running to my office in fear that his co-camper was going to “get” him. Sure enough, within a few minutes, the disgruntled camper walked in. As the disgruntled camper confronted the would-be prankster, he surprised this first-year camper (and me) by extending the hand of friendship.
The veteran camper told the first-time camper, “I forgive you for acting out because I was once a first-time camper, and I know how challenging it can be to settle into a new routine and to make friends.”
The first-time camper broke down in tears and thanked this boy for his act of kindness. In camp, sometimes you have to hate the sin, but love the sinner. At the end of another magnificent and sunny day, the camp came together to watch our fireworks display over Long Lake. I couldn’t help but notice these two boys sitting next to each other on the beach and marveled at what might become a genuine friendship.
