As summer camp came to a close, the adventure challenge team (my team) finished strong and hopefully left the programs that we were running in better shape that when we found them. I also, at this time finished the work for my second graduate class, Adventure Challenge Education. It was a real challenge to take this class in addition to doing summer ministry, but it directly related to what i was doing, so it was very beneficial. The staff celebrated the end of summer by taking a day trip to Lake Superior where we swam, kayaked, and cliff jumped. The water at Lake Superior is pollution free. You can actually drink it if you want to.
Then we experienced some staff transitions and dove into running Wheaton Passage. Wheaton Passage is a 2 credit class and camp program run by HoneyRock to assist student develop with the the freshman transition. For those of you thinking Grove City College terms, this is freshman orientation on steroids. Yet, this program is designed less to orient freshman towards the ways and policies of Wheaton, but is more to prepare freshman to have a life-changing college experience. As a Passage Leader, I functioned somewhere between a camp counselor and a college RA. It was a real joy to provide students with opportunities to develop their relationship with God, understand Biblical Worldview, develop and live in community with peers, grow in service, learn the art of reflection, and to have a lot of fun.
After Passage, I went camping on the shore of lake superior in the UP (upper peninsula of Michigan), dropped by Canada in Sault Ste Marie, and drove home. Yes, I did stop for lunch at a Pastie shop.
At home I immediately began working hourly for Grove City College to facilitate student technician training. I had been hoping to do this upon leaving HoneyRock to get some extra cash. However, prior to my arrival I was asked if i would be willing to join the staff team at a full time capacity. I have excepted this job, and will officially be a full time salaried Media Services Technician at GCC starting tomorrow, September 1st. This job will entail overseeing student technicians, providing technical support to campus needs, assisting with technical theater and classroom support as needed, etc. Ironically, I have probably done more group development so far in this role than actually media. My experience at HoneyRock has not gone to waste.
As you can see, I am in the midst of many large transitions, but am rapidly moving into what people call, 'the real world'. This is both exciting and challenging. I have experienced a good bit of culture shock. This is somewhat related to moving from living in a cabin on a lake to town, but more has to do with differences in philosophical values between GCC and Wheaton. Possibly, I will expound upon those in a later post.
In the next year, I hope to continue doing some graduate work at Wheaton relating to leadership in today's culture. I also hope to visit my girlfriend Kate, who is living in Prague teaching school. As I get connected in to GC, I also hope to continue working in youth ministry through connections that i have at my church. More to follow on that as well.
Well... Lots of big transitions. One last phone from HoneyRock- just because I can. :)
