When Ariel stepped into cabin
1 for the first time, she felt a strange mix of excitement and trepidation
churning around in her belly. She was the first camper to arrive, so she
scanned the eight empty beds trying to imagine what it would be like to share
this cabin with so many new faces. She was shy and a little nervous about
meeting so many people at one time.
When she stepped outside to get her
luggage, and her grandmother took the opportunity to talk with Jessica, her
cabin director. She explained that Ariel’s mother, who was also named Jessica,
was in prison, and that Ariel was having trouble dealing with the separation.
Jessica felt an immediate connection with Ariel and took every opportunity that
week to demonstrate the love of God toward her and the other girls in the
cabin. Ariel was quiet and shy most of the week, but, nevertheless, she seemed
to enjoy camp.
Wednesday night it was time
for cabin 1 to do the giant swing in the gym. Now Ariel felt more nervous than
ever, but, at the prodding and encouragement of her cabin-mates, she stepped
forward to take her turn. Her new friends pulled the rope that lifted her up
toward the high ceiling. Ariel’s stomach felt like it would turn inside out
from fear. She swallowed hard, and then yanked the quick release to come
swinging down in a rush! A loud roar erupted behind her. Ariel turned to see that
it was her cabin group cheering for her wildly. A huge smile spread across her
face. That was it. The emotional walls were down, and Ariel had connected with
this group in a way that can only be experienced at camp.
