The Mathematics of Camp

No matter where, when or what type of camp it is, the equation is always the same.  At the end of PCC, I always wanted it to be two weeks longer.  The thought of leaving this accepting, exciting and safe environment, as well as all of my new friends, made me so sad.  I couldn't help but be reminded of PCC during the closing ceremony of Simon Scout on Tuesday.  "Ate Rachael," said one girl, "next time camp should be one week long!" "No! One month long," said her new friend in response. "No! Forever," said another boy.  You always challenge yourself and grow during a camp, but this camp was something even more to these kids.  Many had never been away from their families for more than one night, or even been away from their barangay for that matter.  Of course, they rarely get a chance to make friends with other kids from outside of their barangays.  I could write a whole chapter of a book on how proud I am to be a part of the Simon staff team who worked to facilitate such an empowering youth experience.  To sum it up...

4 months of planning
3 days
60 youth
10 parent leaders
8 Simon staff
6 color patrols
6 patrol flags
6 patrol chants
1 Pep Rally/Light Parade
1 camp song and dance
3 campfire cooking competitions
40,000 fake pesos used at the Simon Scout market
4 Boy Scout outdoors skills demonstrations
2 hours of Amazing Race stations
6 Earth Day, Every Day trash art posters
20 energizers
Thousands of gallons of sweat
Tons of new friends
A few hours of sleep

Equals

1 successful Simon Scout Youth Camp!