Our Son's Finally Going to Leave!

…for youth camp, that is.

He completely refused even to consider attending preteen camp last year. So when our youth pastor started announcing plans for youth camp this year, Jaden piped right up, saying he didn't want to go this year either.

We asked him why he didn't want to go, and he explained that he just "knows" he won't like it. And then in the next breath he asked, "What do they do at youth camp, anyway?"

Ah, the truth emerges! It's the fear of the unknown that's keeping him from wanting to go!

So we explained what camp was like, but that still didn't change his mind.

You see, Jaden doesn't have any friends his age a church any more; his best friend moved away last year, so I can somewhat understand his reluctance about camp. He's not even in the youth group officially yet since he's still in 6th grade, so he doesn't feel connected to the kids in the youth group at all.

But thankfully there's a 16-year-old boy in the youth group, Allan, who's kind of been taking Jaden under his wing, encouraging him to go to camp. We could tell that his encouragment was wearing away some of the reluctance about camp, but definitely not all of it.

That is until yesterday at church when Allan asked Jaden to help set up for the camp fundraiser that was taking place after the morning service — a chili dinner. Jaden actually jumped at the chance to help and joined right in, setting up tables, serving tea and water, and helping out any other way he was asked. He seemed very comfortable throughout the whole meal.

After the dinner was over, we asked Jaden if he'd decided whether he wanted to go to camp or not. He looked at us like we'd asked a stupid question and said, "Well, of course."

So I guess that's it. He's finally going!