When I was a teenager in high school my dad would send my little brother and me to work the summer as ranch cowboys on one of the ranches he managed outside of Tucumcari, New Mexico. Early June was in the middle of branding season and it was our job to wrestle the calves and hold them down while the more senior cowboys would brand them, castrate the bull calves, ear tag them, de-horn them, give them shots, etc. In a typical afternoon we would wrestle 40 to 50 calves in 100 degree heat. I remember feeling completely exhausted but also feeling a strong sense of accomplishment.
I felt the same thing on my drive home from Camp Courage. It is a good feeling. There is a quote out there (I don’t know the source) that describes it, “felt like I had been rode hard and put up wet.” See my previous post for a description/purpose of the camp.
Confidentiality precludes me from giving specific details, but I spent last week sleeping in a cabin with 3 other counselors and 15 boys aged 8 to 10. The subject of “herding cats” came up often. The experience was exhausting but extremely rewarding. I spent a lot of time helping them find a bathroom, filling up water bottles, applying sunscreen and insect repellent, taking them to the dining hall, etc. They were good kids and I loved seeing faces of children having a good time. I went there to try to be a blessing to the children who had suffered loss. However, as you all can guess, I was blessed as well. Probably more. I felt like I was doing something important, and I plan to volunteer again as long as my family agrees and I am in good physical condition.
This camp has several teenage counselors but needs counselors who are older. That is, it needs more men to help lead the young boys. We have many generous people working for this company, so I decided that I would make a plea. Come see me or email me if you are interested in becoming a counselor for Camp Courage. This experience is going to stay with me for a very long time.
-Matt