Maybe you think your shell looks beautiful. Each camper in your cabin
has a special beauty. Discover it and help others to notice and appreciate
it.
Your shell may look plain and rather commonplace.
Sometimes you may feel that there is nothing special about a camper. Look
again. You will see that each camper is unique, just as each shell is
unique. Help each camper realize his/her importance and worth.
Perhaps you feel your shell is hard.
Remember that the shell was a cover to protect a sea creature. Sometimes
our campers build a hard shell to protect themselves from harm. Open the
hard outer shell to nurture the life within.
Maybe you noticed that your shell has pieces
chipped away or broken off.
Some campers have had difficult experiences that have chipped away their
positive self-image and broken their spirit. Help to rebuild their self-image
and rekindle their enthusiasm.
Maybe you observed that the shell was once very
tiny and seemed to build up one layer at a time.
Your campers are like that. Each one has a small core of knowledge and
experience. Some will have many layers built around this core; others
have only a few. Take your campers as they are and add carefully to their
growth.
The shell you have in your hands is unique.
It was carried to shore by the ocean just for you. Each camper in your
cabin is unique too. What will you do and how will you handle your campers?
Will they leave you in August as better individuals for having you as
their counselor?
Originally published in the 2005 July/August
issue of Camping Magazine. |
