Time with FIRM

From Brianna:

Work camp is a great experience because the youth and leaders all have to put up with each other for a whole week. The time is set up so that we have both time to chill and have fun as well as time to be creative and do service. The communities we work with, FIRM for example, are church communities who share our general morals and always welcome us. It seems that each year it takes me a while to feel comfortable with the people we are serving as well.

By now, I have gotten familiar with the elders we have tutored and the kids we have played with at Family Fun Camp. Yesterday I was in charge of beanbag toss at the camp. In general kids were shy, excited, or bossy, but all of them had smiles and energy to practice their aim on the frog painted beanbag toss. I had an older kid come up who was really friendly and well mannered who ended up organizing the younger kids himself and helping them to play. Another kid skipped from 400 to 600 in keeping track of his score because he was so excited. It’s amazing to get to know new groups of people this closely. It feels like there is no judgment dividing us now. We are a community.

As a smaller group of Winthropites at the Church, everything has given our best efforts, from cooking breakfast to playing cards, tricycle races, and bets. I feel like we are appreciative of everything that anyone has to offer, be it ideas or talent or non-talent or simply one’s presence and laughter. We have strong opinions, for instance we debated the existence of the “Guy’s” bet today, and we like being sarcastic, yet we all mean the best. We are stuck with each other and so we put up with the imperfections, be it not remembering the craft box, or losing things, or not sleeping enough. In moments talking, playing cards, cooking, listening to music or just hanging out, I feel like I have once again come to feel at home with the Winthrop group. The experience of participating at Work Camp allows us to let go of our worries and judgments, it strengthens our bonds and reminds us to be ourselves, enjoying each other and spreading love to the communities we visit (FIRM).