California wildfires cause difficulties for 8th-grade camp
Every year during fall, JH teachers Terry Richards, Hallie Rojeski and another teacher take the 8th-grade class to Calvin Crest Outdoor School for a week. However due to the Railroad Fire, camp was postponed twice and rescheduled for a weekend, as it was the only space available. This year, juniors Reese Brown and Alexander Rurik were the only returning cabin leaders.
Alexander Rurik
Ministry done through camp is unique. It allows you to escape the regular routines and distractions of life and get away in beautiful locations. Outdoor education at Calvin Crest presents a fascinating combination of learning about nature through ecology, geology and survival while intertwining Biblical studies.
Last year I held the amazing opportunity to serve as a counselor for five eighth grade guys for the week. My experiences with my guys, the other cabin leaders and the 8th grade class as a whole left me wishing the week would not end and that the next year would come quick. I tremendously enjoyed getting to know the young men in my cabin and allowing them to know me.
Just after the school year began, the weekly morning training meetings with JH teachers Terry Richards and Hallie Rojeski kicked off. This group of cabin leaders was so excitingly good; I was itching to get up the hill and experience the week with them.
However as the marks on the calendar showed camp was getting near, news of a fire approaching the camp broke. Right away, we worked furiously to find out if we were to still attend our week. We were not.
While the fire did torch some trails and a couple buildings, it miraculously missed the main parts of the camp. Calvin Crest was rescheduled and we were to go soon.
Due to safety checks and regulations, it was postponed once again.
This time, camp was set for a weekend, Oct. 13-15. Hearing this, I felt upset even though I know I should not have. The 8th graders would not get the full Calvin Crest experience. Personally, the bond with my students would not be as close. All of it seemed doomed to be disappointing. Of course, this failed to undermine my excitement.
The morning of, parents dropped off their students with their chaperones as the air buzzed with anticipation. I enjoyed a quick ride up with JH teacher Amy Friesen and fellow cabin leader Reese Brown, ‘19. We arrived, went through orientation and quickly became situated. Students lined up in suspense as cabin groups were announced. Only knowing two of six students assigned to me, I felt thrilled to get to know them.
The weekend turned out absolutely great and was filled completely full of activities. The Calvin Crest staff, as always, were awesome. The students, for the most part, were respectful and attentive during classes and meetings. Although it was only a day and a half, I felt like we spent a couple of amazing days there.
I am bummed the students did not receive the full “Calvin Crest experience” nor was I able to spend as much time with my six guys and the other cabin leaders as I hoped. But I do feel blessed it happened at all and am thankful the flames stayed away from Calvin Crest. Mason, Seth, Josh, Andrew, Arman and Greg, thank you guys for an awesome weekend.
I would like to give a special thank you to Terry Richards and Hallie Rojeski for the time and effort they spend to do what they do. You both do so much for so many people and have poured into me and many, many others. Thank you for your wisdom and teaching.
Reese Brown
Calvin Crest this year was unlike anything that has happened. On Aug. 29, 2017, there was an intimidating fire only three and a half miles away from the camp. The fire ended up coming within a couple of feet from the buildings and some propane tanks.
Due to the fire, many of the trails could not be completed because of the fireland that was on the trails. For instance, the Miwok trail got changed due to the fire burning down the replica village the staff had made.
Another change for this year was it was only a weekend-long camp, compared to the usual five-day long camp. The main purpose of the camp stayed the same: to teach the kids about nature while having fun and learning about God.
This year was also different because we had all of our meals with LPC, a group of women that were up there with us. It was cool to see the kids help the women with their dishes and be respectful and friendly.
Being a cabin leader for the second time was a great opportunity, so knowing that, giving it all for Terry Richards or Hallie Rojeski was the least I could do.
When I came to Fresno Christian my eighth-grade year Calvin Crest was my first way to meet my classmates. My cabin leader that year was Jordan Castro and he really made an impact in my life so I knew that I wanted to do the same.
I am thankful for this experience and am excited for the potential week of camp next year. We will be maintaining the same group of nine counselors with maybe adding one more girl depending on the growth of the underclass.
For more about Calvin Crest, read the article written by Brown and Rurik last year Counselors reflect on Calvin Crest experience. For more articles, read Junior competes with Fresno Junior Monsters hockey team.
These authors can be reached via twitter @alexrurik23, @Reese_Brownie and via email: Alexander Rurik and Reese Brown.