A couple of weeks back my friend had emailed me saying that a nurse, doctor or whatever was desperately needed for a group called Young Life while they were at camp.
Here is a side note. A little bit about Young Life--I think it is so great!:
Young Life believes in the power of presence. Kids' lives are dramatically impacted when caring adults come alongside them, sharing God's love with them. Because their Young Life leader believes in them, they begin to see that their lives have great worth, meaning and purpose.
Anyways, so the nurse that usually goes along fell through so they really needed someone. These girls could not go to camp if there wasn't health care provided. So...apparently I was feeling spontaneous (so not like me) and I said I would do it. I had no plans, hubby had to work so why not?? So Monday morning Owen and I packed up and headed to Castaway Club for a 3 night, 4 day little vacation.
The campers who went away on this little adventure were teen moms, teen moms to be, and their children. I think it ended up being 15 moms and 18 children. All of the moms are ages 18 to 21 and the kids ranged from 2 months to 3 years of age. And I just have to say, what a great experience for these girls. Young Life is doing amazing things for them. As I mentioned briefly in my previous post.....these girls have not had it easy. Their lives have been tough. I have only known about Young Life a few weeks and am still learning about it. But, somehow, these girls found Young Life and it's great they did. Young Life provides them with support they may not have, with mentors they can talk to. This camp let them have some fun, for who knows how much fun they have in their daily life. This camp let them be with others who they can relate to, let them share with each other, and let them find someone to lean on. This camp let them spend time with their children, have some fun with them...and oh how precious they were.
I was just so impressed with the leaders and what they are doing for these girls. The girls really trust them and it makes my heart happy to see that they have support from someone.
So let me tell you about Castaway Club. Oh my.... You'd think when you think of camp you think of dirty, dungy little cabins. But, oh no. This place is not like that at all. The name of this place says it all. Castaway. A place to cast away your troubles and your worries. To forget it all. This place was gorgeous. God has created something beautiful at Castaway.
So here come the pictures....a little tour of Castaway Club and some pictures of what we did. The days were stuffed full with activities for the kids and the mommies! Lots of fun....I was utterly exhausted by day 4 but it was well worth it!
the lake at Castaway--Pelican Lake
The land surrounding camp was beautiful....lots of pretty gardens
Garden near our "home"
The Clipper--our home away from home. It is the guest lodge. It was pretty darn nice! : )
Back deck of the Clipper with stunning views of the lake
The Windjammer--where many activities were held and where we ate all of our meals. (the food was actually good!)
The office--where the infirmary is. I used a little of my nursing skills but not much! Gave out some children's Benadryl, treated a bee sting, and gave out a little Motrin here and there. I am so thankful that everything was minor--nothing I couldn't handle! : )
The sunsets at night were amazing...
The first morning they threw a birthday party for all of the kiddos. There was cupcake decorating, a pinata, games, and they even got a present. SO cute!
Mikael having so much fun!
Cutie pie Aaden
Christopher with a frosting face! : )
Hunter lovin' his cupcake-- he is too cute for words
Oh how I love the look on little Payton's face looking at her Mama....
Owen is ready to par-tay
Little Laicey eating candy from the pinata
After the party, they did some mommy and me time--lots of art projects. Owen had so much fun!
Dawson working on gluing..
Paint project
Derek--so proud of his artwork
Owen's carrying all of his loot. They were so kind to include Owen in everything--he even got a present--he was so excited! : )
After lunch each day there was always a lot of free time (and nap time for Owen and I!) We got to enjoy the outdoors quite a bit. So did the girls--there was a zip line, rock climbing, giant swing, and parasailing!
Owen and Belle playing--he made lots of new friends
The first evening we had a dressy dinner....Owen waiting patiently for food
The next morning was more mommy and me time--It was just like circle time at ECFE and Owen loved it! Owen with his new friend Paige (on left) and Dezi (on right).
We had lots more free time for the rest of the day..so Owen played with his friend Paige for a while. (more on that to come!....) Here he is being silly back at our "house" before we went to our Hawaiian themed dinner. He's wearing his tie dye shirt we made the day before...
Aye, aye captain!
Dinner time!
All in all, it was a great experience. We had so much fun. But, it is good to be home. I really was exhausted. I think Owen was too. We stayed quite busy and we aren't used to go, go, going all day! But, I learned so much. A few things I learned (or was reminded of) at Castaway:
~I have an amazing family and friends--people I trust, people I can turn to.....I am SO LUCKY.
~My life really has been a semi-charmed life thus far---of course, I have my fair share of ups and downs. My life isn't perfect-- but it's nothing compared to what these girls have gone through. If I have ups and downs, there are people around me that love me and are there for me.
~I am doing a pretty good job as a mommy. Some days I have my doubts--but I see how these girls sometimes struggle (as we all do) a bit more with parenting. They may not have had role models, a great parental figure to look up to so they are starting at square one. I see that they are trying the best they can but sometimes they need some guidance, a little help. I feel a bit more confident in myself as a mother but know too, that I will never be perfect.
~I have awesome parents--enough said.
~I have THE most amazing little boy--and thank God for him every day.
~God is good.
~There is beauty all around us.
~I am SO BLESSED.
3 comments:
Laura O and I have been to Castaway a bunch of times. When we were in high school our churches went there for a three day weekend retreat! I think I went for 4 years. We always went in the winter time though but it was still beautiful then!
Naomi, what an awesome experience that God put in front of you because you are the perfect fit! What an honor! Your post made me cry. xoxo Gina
What a great post, Naomi! Neat opportunity for you and Owen, and it sounds like it was gratitude-generating, which is always a good thing! I've been to Castaway a bunch of times, too! I was in YL in high school, and we were campers and volunteers up there several times. What a great place!
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