Youth Convention in San Diego. Summer Splash. Winter Camp. Missionette Camp. Missions Trips. Shake Romania '96. When I was in junior high and high school, these were the things I lived for. Every aspect was bliss...yes, even when the church van broke down. Honestly, that's when teenagers get the most creative and create crazy, life long memories.
When I reflect back on these trips, I grin from ear to ear. That time came and went so quickly, yet it was a time of discovery and growth and I grew by leaps and bounds. I entered as a pubescent teen and exited a young adult.
Now I'm the mother of a fifteen year old. But he's not just any fifteen year old. He's a teenager with a side of Down syndrome. When Dylan was about 5, I started scouring the internet for camps for those with special needs. I ached for him to be able to attend camp someday. Growing up and going to camp was one of my favorite past times. I wanted the same for my red head.
Camps exist for those with specials needs, but it's complex. Location. Cost. The need for a 1-1 camp counselor. So many variables that have to be considered. We are fortunate to live near Camp Arroyo, a camp designed for those with special needs. Dylan attended for the 1st time - completely on his own - when he was six and has attended multiple times over the years. In fact, he's had the same camp counselor all but one or two years. That sweet girl is now a life long friend of our boy. We are so thankful for this opportunity. Camp Arroyo has given our son the opportunity to experience independence in a safe environment, without mom and dad hovering.
But, as the years have passed, I have become selfish. I found myself hoping that one day he could attend a traditional camp with typical peers. As Dylan has gotten older, the idea became more frequent, but I tried not to entertain it - I didn't want to get my hopes up.
Then one night, Rob called me. He was at church youth group with Dylan - something we try to make happen most Wednesday nights, if Dylan is cooperative and agreeable. As I listened to what Rob had to say, I found myself a bucket of joyful tears. The youth pastor had approached Rob and asked if we were sending Dylan to summer camp. Rob said it would be complicated - if he went, he'd need a 1-1 camp counselor. The youth pastor asked Rob is there was anyone particular he'd thought might be a good fit. Rob mentioned one of the college guys, Joe. They walked over, Rob mentioned it to Joe & he agreed...on the spot. No hesitation. No endless questions. Joe just said YES.
For them, it was no big deal. In retrospect, I don't think realized the magnitude of the situation - the significance of what they were willing to do. They know Dylan has his quirks, but they have always loved and accepted him for who he is and just "went with it". They looked to us for direction and input and then dove right in - teaching and guiding Dylan in anything and everything, without hesitation.
Just like that, we found ourselves with a teenager who was going to church summer camp with the youth group. Even found ourselves participating in fundraisers to help bring his camp fee down! It was surreal. Our dream was becoming a reality.
We had multiple discussions with Joe about Dylan. From Dylan's eating habits, to his need for hygiene help, which bunk he should sleep on, tips and tricks if he was having a tough time, his inability to identify potentially dangerous situations and his tendency to wander - we had talked about every possible detail we could think of. All that remained was packing him up and sending him off.
June 12th came. The day we would put Dylan on a bus to camp - for an entire week. A camp where he'd be the ONLY individual with special needs. We were a pile of nerves. Were we doing the right thing? Were we being foolish? Dylan's cognitive age range is 5-15 - was this pure stupidity? We would never know if the blood, sweat and tears to get him to this point of inclusion was working unless we actually put him on that bus. A leap of faith was taken and on the bus he went. We were fully prepared to pick Dylan up at any given moment - even later that night if the call came.
But the call to pick up early never came. Instead, every night, Joe would call with a recap of how INCREDIBLE Dylan was doing. Participating in activities. Flirting and reminding the girls that chapel was at 7 PM. Riding the zip line. Talking to the band and dancing during worship. Trying new foods - EVERY DAY! Telling everyone "Get a car!" Why? Who knows, but if became a slogan at camp and our red head was being fully embraced and accepted. The time had come to reap 15 years of blood, sweat and tears.
I had prayed silently for years for THIS particular camp experience. I didn't dwell on it, just prayed that maybe - just maybe - someday he would get to experience one of my favorite past times. That prayer was answered and when God answered it - He went ABOVE and BEYOND my wildest expectations.
Anything is possible. What are you praying for? What leap of faith are you taking?