We weren’t sure what to expect when Camp Heroes week began. In collaboration with Cornerstone of Hope, our task was to create a mini stage production for a group of city kids, ages 8-15. The theme was grief around the world and, admittedly, the process was challenging from the very start – everything from writing a sensitive, hopeful script for hurting young people to planning artistic elements without knowing our cast, their capabilities or even their number. Will they even want to participate in performing arts activities – or will they think it’s lame and opt for playing basketball? The Cornerstone staff had never attempted a performing arts grief camp before either so there were many unknown factors for all involved.
Our collaborative arts team included Mackenzie Clevenger Valley and Mikaela Clark of Without Words Movement , our drummer friends from Burkina Faso, Arsene Le Batisseur and Emmanuel Konate, Josh Holsopple and Ken and Patt Wadenpfuhl from Ancient Path.
The arts team met for a couple of weeks – brainstorming, developing ideas, banging on drums and anything else we could find, experimenting with rhythms and sounds. After much noise and not a little laughter, a script finally presented itself in the nick of time and we began to turn our attention to other matters – such as a set the kids could help create. We hauled heavy wooden pallets and large plastic oil drums to FMC, spread them in rows across the parking lot on a scorching Saturday and painted them white. A blank canvas of sorts.
On the first Monday morning of camp, thirteen young people sat on the floor facing us. Some were shy and withdrawn, others distracted and nervous. Like us, they didn’t know what to expect. We explained and demonstrated what we wanted to do together- create a set, act, sing, dance, drum, rehearse, rehearse, and rehearse some more – and then present a production for family and friends on Friday afternoon. When we asked “ Is there anyone here who is up for this?” , every hand shot up, from youngest to oldest. The kids ran forward, grabbing percussion instruments, drums, stomp sticks, masks – anything at hand. That was the beginning of an incredible week with an inspirational group of young people.
Tuesday morning found 19 wood pallets and assorted oil drums once again scattered across the parking lot. It was a windy day – so we knew more than just wood would end up splattered. Our team poured primary colored paint into plastic cups, mixed some interesting secondary colors, lined up scores of paint bushes and waited for the kids to arrive.
To say they enjoyed this activity is an understatement. They didn’t as much splatter paint as they flung it. One young boy put his whole body into it while yelling I’m expressing my feelings! and I love this camp!!!!! Others chose to paint words or names and left hand and foot prints on theirs. When they were finished, they admired each others’ handiwork and compared the copious amounts of paint on their bodies and clothes. Our team wasn’t exactly sure how these unique pieces would eventually become a stage set, but this was art on the fly – which is always fun.
Once they cleaned up and ate the delicious lunch provided by Cornerstone volunteers, we began the process of determining their capabilities. With four days until showtime, we needed to be able to quickly move to a plan B, C or D in order to ensure their success. We didn’t know what Plan B would look like, but figured it would present itself when the time came.
We worried in vain. These kids could drum, they could dance, they could sing and act! They learned how to make stage entrances and exits, how not to fidget, how to stay quiet in the wings, how to hit their spikes on cue.They began owning the process, approaching us with their creative ideas and asking that all important question: what if….?
Each day we spent hours together, amazed at how quickly they learned, but equally amazed at the transformation in their faces and personalities. Their enthusiasm and excitement grew daily along with their confidence. They asked for more practice time or individual help during their breaks and lunch hour and didn’t want to leave at the end of the day. The Cornerstone staff also held daily arts therapy sessions with them. They made African paper beads and decorated the room with aboriginal dot paintings, Japanese prayer flags and memory boards of their loved ones. This isn’t the first time we’ve watched the arts unlock doors and empower young people. It’s what we do, but we still stand in awe with grateful hearts every time we see it happen.
Little by little, it all came together. Joe Jones arrived with his tools and skills and helped our team assemble a set worthy of the kids’ efforts. Mark Valley joined us to help us figure out sound. We rented extra lights to supplement those graciously loaned by Rockside Church. Even though they would be performing in a small gym, we wanted to transform the space as much as possible to give the kids an experience they would never forget. As it turned out, Camp Heroes was an unforgettable experience for everyone – friends, family, Cornerstone and FMC staff and our arts team.
When the show began, these young people didn’t miss a beat. They remembered all they had learned in such a short amount of time. As they donned masks, showing us what it feels like to hide their emotions, to feel like they’re spinning out of control – they moved our hearts. They brought the room to life with their drumming, brought us to tears with their song and to our feet with their dance.
As the young cast took their final bows to a well-earned standing ovation, wide smiles reflected their sense of accomplishment. But they weren’t done yet! Chairs were quickly shoved aside and they invited everyone to join the dance as the Pharrell Williams song, Happy, blared from the speakers. Still unwilling to see the day end, they ran back to their drums and created a new piece with new rhythms on the spot as their families watched with pride. No one wanted to leave – and neither did we!
Many thanks to Cornerstone of Hope for the privilege of partnering together. We loved it – let’s do it again sometime!:) Many thanks to all the FMC volunteers and arts team collaborators. Yes, we worked hard but everyone agrees that it was worth every minute. And most of all, thanks to every one of the campers. We’re so grateful to have met you, learned from each other and created together. We’re so proud of you! Remember what you’ve accomplished and let’s all remember these simple words taken from the Camp Heroes script:
It’s good to know that we’re not alone – that others feel what we feel and struggle in the same ways we do. But the really good news is that God sees and understands and loves us through all our sadness and hurt and anger and grief. He will never leave us. No matter how dark the days may seem, no matter how hopeless or lonely we may feel, He is the Light that shines through that darkness. And He is Love.