Reflections from a RYLA Counselor

When I agreed to be a counselor, I had no idea what to expect.  “It will be like you went to camp” said one, or “just have a good time and watch whatever the kids do” said another.  WRONG on both counts!  RYLA is life changing, attitude altering and activity challenging.  Located in the beautiful area of Portola with lots of green grass, trees & even a lake, Grizzly Ranch is a world apart of the suburbs.

To put it plainly, Counselors do everything the kids do, from learning how to use a compass to find flags located all over the camp, to climbing a 60-foot tower, it swinging on a rope 50 feet up in the air!  The ropes course includes low and high altitude activities.  In addition, the speakers are the top of the line who challenge each person to look beyond the obvious and the assumptions (of who has it the most “together”) and accept the fact that each of us have challenges in our lives that typically are not shared.  Having raised 5 children, I figured I had it pretty much together in dealing with teens – wrong again.  These kids challenged me to go beyond my comfort zone and trust them in a way I do not trust adults.  They didn’t ask me to listen; they asked me to be involved with them.

For all the judgments each of us make regarding the younger generation, I will tell you…you don’t know them, the kind of people they are, the concerns they have and the challenges they face as people (not kids).

Please take the time to have your RYLA student make a presentation at your club when they return, but be sure to ask them, “how did RYLA change your life” and “Why should I go”.  You’ll be astounded at the answers.  Also, have a former counselor speak at your club as well.  You just might learn something new about yourself.