This past summer, I had the privilege of working with Lantern and Compass Project. Although only getting the opportunity to do 2 camps, my life was definitely changed for the better. The first, Camp Wannahockalugie, was an absolutely awesome experience. Working with Terry and our team to help teach the kids about Christ while having fun doing it was so cool to be a part of. Getting to do skits and lead lesson-themed recreation activities amounted in so much laughter and excitement the campers were thrilled, as anyone with ears could tell.
And as much fun and impacting as this camp was, the second camp I helped with, the ability tree camp, was life changing. Going into this one, I really had no experience with people with special needs. I would loosely throw around the r-word as if it wasn’t a big deal, and truly didn’t understand what interacting with these people was like. I was timid at first among the campers, sort of treating them as one would treat a kid, oversimplifying everything and talking to them differently. However, as the week went on, I started to personally connect with some of the campers, through music, sports, and Christ especially. As I was building new relationships, I was beginning to realize that there is no us and there is no them. We are all human regardless of our differences. This epiphany changed my life for good. I haven’t said the r-word since and now have a newfound desire to hang out with people with special needs, especially because of them being so commonly made fun of and left out. A camp like that is one I will never forget, and was definitely God’s purpose for me this summer. Working with Lantern and Compass was one of the best parts of my summer, and I’m looking forward to doing so next year!
By Keller Knode – Summer Student Team Member
