When I boarded my flight to Omaha, I chatted with my seatmate about my what brought me to Nebraska. She asked if I had been to Nebraska. I said no. She asked if I knew anyone in Nebraska. I said no. She asked if I had any connection to Nebraska. I said, not yet.
Image Description: Allison is seated on the plane wearing a mask and turtle shell glasses. She is giving a thumbs up and has a lot of frizz.
I arrived on Tori Evans’s doorstep and said more to her cat than I said to her. Tori and her sister Taylor were the fearless leaders of Kamp Kaleo’s junior and senior high school camp in Burwell, Nebraska. I carpooled with them to camp and listened to them chitchat about their past camp experiences. It’s strange how connected camp can feel, even when you’re states away from your home camp. I heard about stories and songs and how they’re different than where I grow up.
On my first day, I was a bundle of nerves. I didn’t know anyone. I didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t have river shoes. It was a stressful day. I spent most of the day quietly observing everyone to make sure I wasn’t doing anything wrong. As Vespers came to a close, I took a deep breath and was ready to get back to my cabin. Maybe talk to my Peace Intern friends. Maybe cry a little bit. But first, we had to sing our goodnight song. MY goodnight song.
I first started singing the goodnight song at Camp Barbee, the Northern Indiana camp. I attended Camp Barbee for one summer and the song eventually made its way to Bedford Camp and Conference Center, where I grew up attending. I sang it to my nephews when they were little and I sing it to myself when I can’t sleep. The lyrics go, “Lay down my dear brothers, lay down and take your rest. I’m gonna lay your head upon the savior’s breast. I love you. But Jesus loves you best. I bid you goodnight. Goodnight. Goodnight.” I was able to take a deep breath out for the first time since I arrived. Having that connection made Kaleo feel like a home. I was able to relax and enjoy the ride.
Then camp tanking.
Image Description: The photo shows a group of people in various colored life vests floating in a blue plastic trough along a river. Another similar trough can be seen in the distance.
Before arriving in Nebraska, I had never heard of tanking. Tanking is like tubing or canoeing, in the way that you’re going down a river. But, you’re in a tank, or like a horse trough, with a bench built in. You hang out, the kids jump in the river, you relax. I vote we bring this to other states. Nebraska needs to learn to share! It gave me an opportunity to get to know some campers and see some of the Nebraska landscape. It was relaxing and overwhelming and such a great camp experience. I am so grateful for this experience.
Image Description: Allison is sticking out her tongue wearing an orange life vest. She is standing in a blue plastic trough on a river.
After tanking, I felt a lot less stressed. It was something I was anxious about beforehand, then when I did it, it felt like no big deal. I can ride down a river in a horse trough! I can fly to Nebraska and everything will be okay! I can create relationships with people I may never meet again! I am unstoppable!
It is easier to feel fearless when you have conquered some fears. It is easier to make new connections when you have established some. It is easier to feel at home when you know you have a safe place to land. Thank you, Kamp Kaleo for being a safe place to land.
Image Description: Allison stands laughing, with whipped cream on a plate and on a trash bag that she wears as a top. Another counselor, Lizz can be seen wearing a great deal of whipped cream on her face. There are people around smiling.
As the week came to a close, I felt like this community had changed me. I had listened to the campers and counselors tell me about their lives, their hopes, their dreams, and their futures. I was able to do my workshop with each of them, talking about how to have productive conversations when we disagree. I felt like a member of the Kamp Kaleo Community by the end of the week, and I wasn’t sure if I was ready to move on.
It is still a little bit overwhelming to think about the fact that I have a home right in the middle of Nebraska. Thank you so much to Kamp Kaleo for welcoming me into your little island. I will treasure my time there forever.
Image Description: Allison is laying on the floor with a crowd surrounding her. Two campers, in doctor’s scrubs, pretend to be doing a procedure on her as the crowd eagerly watches.
Image description: Allison stands in the left of the frame with a bow and arrow. A man stands in the right of frame watching her stance giving her advice.
Image description: Allison smiles under the Kaleo Bell, holding the string to ring the bell in one hand and a coffee cup in the other. She smiles widely.
Will you pray with me?
Thank you God for creating home in unlikely places.
Thank you for new friends and old songs, for new journeys and old traditions.
Thank you for giving us all stories to tell and carry with us
and thank you for giving us gifts we get to share with the world.
Thank you for Kaleo, both the place and the people.
In her holy name we pray.
Amen.