Wednesday, 15 June 2011

• Day 15: Supercamp

  "Backdoor Guide to Short-Term Adventure.” Looked like a good book, so I checked it out of the library. I marked and re-marked pages, visited websites, signed up, and filled out 10 applications. Wilderness adventure tours, cruses, bike teams, camps...

  Supercamp called me back. But the day they called was a bad day for me. I didn’t want anything to do with kids. Ever. Someone else from Supercamp called and thought I wanted to be a camper. No, I didn’t want that either. Somehow, I was referred to be a facilitator. One day before the deadline, I received an invitation for tryouts. I e-mailed back a polite "thank you, but no thanks."

  As soon as the e-mail was sent, I thought again. And told them to forget the previous e-mail. Tryouts were in Chicago, during the worst blizzard all year. Sliding off the road twice, I pulled the car out of the snow bank with one hand on the gas pedal, and two frozen feet hanging out the door.

  The interview, from 8am-5pm, was intense. My 3 minute bio flopped. It was like a day at camp, and I was in another world. These were professional people: 35 twentysomethings from all over the US came. These were good, successful people...the kind of people I wanted to work with. I came to the interview just to give it a shot. I left, really wanting to be hired. Only ten were chosen.

  Training was in Oceanside, CA—flight paid for. These people know their stuff. They really care about the kids and making a difference. They are what I want to be. It was better than any college teacher class: I learned how important the teacher is, and how I can be the difference.  They have everything organized, because everything speaks. Everything is on purpose, because they have a goal and will reach it. They let the student experience things before labeling, so they are a part of the learning process and they acknowledge every effort because if it is worth learning, it is worth celebrating.

  Supercamp made me step up. Work hard, play hard. The first night of training they had us stand and tell why we came. I said because there are kids that only I will reach—and I want to make it count. I want to be the most effective possible, with whatever tools I have. I was also there for me—because when I am the best for me, I am the best for you.

  I nailed it. There were moments where everything clicked and I walked away from a piece knowing I had done an amazing job—couldn’t have done better. I ran with the big dogs. Supercamp has harnessed efficient ways to use and connect learning strategies in ways that are engaging and memorable. Feedback was constantly given:  we would present short pieces, and then immediately be coached and given chances to step it up to the next level.

  One intense piece is called barrier breaking: the kids write a goal on a thick wood board, and then what is a barrier to obtaining that goal on the other side. They put the board on two cement blocks and break it with their hand—through the barrier to the goal. It is a deeply emotional and empowering time as the whole team gathers around, jumping and shouting “yes, yes, yes!”

  Supercamp opens your eyes to see how things CAN be. You are challenged, given the tools, and then pushed out. You are supported and not forced, but looked in the eyes and told what you both know:  "You will regret it if you don't go for it." Supercamp celebrates your efforts and successes, but more than that, it celebrates the real you, and who you are.

  From this place, I can face my questions openly: "Who am I? Why am I here? Where am I going? Can I do this?" They surround me with the most powerful word in the English language, “Yes.” With the vision of what I want fresh in my face, I make a list of progress yet to be made. I go to bed tired, muscles sore--but tomorrow I will wake up to greatness, standing inside and outside of my door.

   

                                

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