This August I ran my first session of Camp Spirit and I have to say the name fit the week! To set the stage the average age was 10. We had youth as old as 13 and as young as 4. The youth were St. Paul’s members as well as several of their school friends and several friends from my neighborhood who are not members of the church; and one participant whose mom found us on the internet! We were together from 9-3, Monday – Friday for the week. Most of the youth came the full week with a few coming once or twice as they could. The group was bubbling with spirit in every way imaginable!
I saw spirit in action in the wonderful way the St. Paul’s community supported this effort. Everyone I called was glad to help out. And so with the contributions of Anne Walter, Anne Whattoff, Karla Holland-Moritz, Richard Lief, and Mary Keller, we had a parishioner contributing something to Camp Spirit each day of the week. That was really cool.
I felt spirit in action from St. Paul’s staff. They were all fantastic partners to work with throughout the week. We had water when we needed it for thirsty kids. We had ice cream sandwiches on a hot day. We had tour guides and a BBQ lunch waiting for us one day. And on our last day we had a beautiful tea party all set up for us. The staff’s care for and enjoyment of the youth was heartfelt.
As you can imagine, the classroom was filled with spirit of the physical type most of the day – but there was also a lot of spiritual spirit woven throughout our days. The bigger girls were all very interested in watching out for the younger campers. Most of the youth did a super job sharing, taking turns, and listening to one another. And we laughed a lot. A sure sign of spirit in action.
My parent volunteers for the week were gifts – each bringing their best for the kids and I made use of their extra hands all week long. They helped me do what it took to keep 15 – 20 youth headed in one direction as we ran about Balboa Park and Hillcrest on our various adventures, all done with love and respect. Even better they each became new found friends!
I found spirit alive in our community at large as they welcomed us to their restaurant for an Indian lunch, their daycare to attend our play production, their museums and gardens for tours, and their trolley as we waved at all of the passers by in Balboa Park “Sound of Music” style.
I found spirit at work through the content as we learned about the peace of a Japanese Garden, the connections between world religions and powerful lessons found in a simple Estonian folktale. We all expanded our understanding of other cultures and other religions.
Finally I saw the power of spirit that comes in a connected community at our final Tour and Tea event as children lead adults on a tour of the cathedral and then enjoyed the beauty of a perfect afternoon with visitors, parents, volunteers, siblings, and staff sipping tea with sugar cubes our of pretty little tea cups.
For me it was one of those great moments that come periodically, reminding you of the best that life can be:
- real connections with others
- comfortable and relaxed
- sights, smells, and tastes appealing to the senses
- simple and meaningful
- surrounded by love
I was pooped by the end of the week but also so satisfied by all of the meaningful connection that had been made in the course of five days. Let me know if this is something you’d like to be a part of in the future….I’m already day dreaming about where Camp Spirit might take us next year.
May your days be filled with spirit –
Christine D’Amico
St. Paul’s Associate for Children Youth and Family.
What an exciting week you all had. I love that the children explored their own church and the community around it. Well done.