Unpacking Otyokwah, Part 5

Will he learn about servanthood?

Will he learn about servanthood?

• At Camp Otyokwah, we teach campers to put others ahead of themselves.  Servanthood is at the heart of Jesus’ teaching.  Jesus said in Mark 10:45, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve." Whether it is as simple as praying before a meal or wiping a table down after a meal, there are many opportunities where he can serve others.

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Will he feel part of a community?

• ​We all desire to stand out in some way, but we also want to fit in.  When we feel we fit in, we are more relaxed, motivated, and self-assured. I notice this with our campers as a week of camp goes along.  Some arrive unsure about camp and by the end of the week they don’t want to go home.  As a staff we work on communicating acceptance and love which translates to campers feeling a part of a community.  

Will he have good role models?

• ​He will have good role models. As part of our application process we look for staff that are highly recommended. Generally, past behavior is the best predictor of future behavior, so we get three references.  As staff, we also understand that we are being watched 24/7, so our staff are trained to be on best behavior at all times.

Will she interact with older leaders?

• She will interact with older leaders throughout her week at camp.  All staff must meet certain minimum age requirements appropriate to work with children of various ages.  Our staff teams tend to be multi-generational which provides for a great blend of youthful energy and older wisdom.  

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Will he learn the golden rule?

• The golden rule is stated in Matthew 7:12, "So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets." I think the place where I see the golden rule most profoundly expressed is when one camper is hurting and another camper comes alongside them with empathy and mercy. They may not have the all the right words, but they meet them in that moment with their own presence. We treat others the way we want to be treated so that he can learn the golden rule by experiencing it.

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