Elevation (Day 5)

Morning of the last day. It was almost even mourning, but not quite at the beginning of the morning.

I woke up, and whether I gathered and packed my stuff before breakfast I cannot accurately recall, though it may have been that I needed to pack before I could go get breakfast. Either before or after breakfast is when we broke camp, though there was still more before leaving camp.

It was still wet weather, though maybe not as bad as it had been yesterday, sprinkles here and there.

I went about collecting more signatures and messages from my fellow campers into my yearbook throughout the morning.

We appointed a male and female member of our pod to represent us during the Williamsburger race that would be just a little later in the morning, as did the other pods.

Then the time for the Williamsburger arrived...


Usually the race has four parts, running, climbing, ascending and swimming. But due to the weather, the race had to be modified, and the elements of climbing and ascending were substituted for burpie-jacks and the Nalgene challenge.

We formed up a runway arch with our arms for the Williamsburgers to run through as they prepared to start the race, the first element was running. They ran through the arch and then onto the start of the race-line they went. I was cheering from the start and finish line, seeing as they doubled back along the road they were running. The runners came in and their times were marked down. Then it was onto the burpie-jacks... They ran through the arch and then onto the start of the race-line they went.

There was a set amount to be accomplished and the time to do it was tracked. It seems that it was 75reps for the ladies and 100reps for the guys, but I could be off on the count. After completion and a short break for instructions, it was time for the Nalgene challenge...

The goal was simple, set your water bottle as far away from the start as possible, then be on the start side of the line. The catch? You can't touch the ground with anything but the bottles. There were many ways invented to accomplish this task, stretching far, clomping along and balancing precariously, among others. They took the distances and marked them down. Then the swimming...

The Williamsburgers did a certain number of laps and their times were marked down. Then the mentors took to tallying up all the different amounts into a final score...

During this time we took pod photos with dramatic poses and general happiness. Some also made sure to get some final entries into their yearbooks.

Then it was announced that they had the scores ready, they brought out all the Williamsburgers and announced their final scores. All did extremely well and most exceeded averages from past times. Our pod's female Williamsburger took fourth place out of six pods. And our pod's male Williamsburger took third place out of six pods.

The two ultimate Williamsburgers, (male and female) were petitioned to come forward at this time. They each took a knee and the headmaster knighted them each with an Elevation Ballcap! Thus ended the Williamsburger race of this transformative session of Elevation.

Then there was a final ceremony that some family members had come to attend, there were a few words from the headmaster and then we all gathered in a huge campwide group hug!

After this I went to a couple more people to say good bye and ask them to sign my yearbook, journeyed home with most of the carpool group from before, we had some wonderful conversations and ended up going to Café Rio where most people will go to for lunch and further have a wonderful time while together from all over the country. As a large group was getting ready to leave the restaurant, there was a cry gone out, "1!2!3!" At which point the whole group from Elevation clapped two times and issued forth a shout. This is known as the Elevation clap, and had been done throughout the week to get attention and to celebrate, but now it was a fitting farewell to excellent friends, bidding them safe travels. Which were had by all as they returned home. I stuck around a little bit longer to soak in the transformative energy of those amazing people.

I knew that though Elevation week was over now and we'd only be together for a few minutes longer, it was not to be the end of bonds with friends and of transformations into better people. It was just the beginning...

Elevation (Day 4)

I awoke with the early morning rays seeping through the clouds that were starting to hang around, threating rain later. But the morning was fine, cool and brought with it a sense of adventure for the day ahead. And it was true, I had lived through the night! I readily gathered my stuff together after dressing for the day and headed over to the volleyball pit for sunrise yoga.

Yoga brought more balance to the already serene morning and to the campers gathered in a spirit of harmony and respect. After yoga, breakfast began. It was probably a good breakfast, though details have slipped out as to what it was, it would be surprising if it wasn't oatmeal though. Conversations like to abound during breakfast times, what else could a spirit of belonging bring?

At this time, once breakfast had ended we gathered into our pods and meditated about the coming day and bond together more as well as a chance to journal further. At one of these morning pod meditations (possibly this one) we ended up with a pod cheer, based off of a bag of popcorn that Aunt Jemama brought for us, it's title was "Boom Chicka Pop Popcorn" our cheer was "123, Boom Chicka Pop!" (with a high note on the Pop!) We liked this cheer and used it a few times.

We then readied ourselves for solo time that would be happening soon, gathering such items as snacks, journals, lunches, water and whatever else you may have been inclined to bring to meditate and enjoy some solo time in nature. We gathered into pods and our pod mentors directed us to where we would go and have our solo time.

I ended up on a rock. A big rock by the creek, a good big rock by the creek. I varied what I meditated on throughout the few hours we'd been given to meditate. At times I would journal, at others I tried to get comfortable on the rock, and yet at others I just contemplated the beauty and serenity of being in nature, especially right next to a creek as I was.

In this picture you can see how the creek turns into a fork to continue on it's path, I thought about how I seemed to have taken the smaller fork, the road less traveled as Frost said in his poem. While most of my peers in the world would take the larger stream, (the right bend around the rock) I would take the smaller, less noticed stream. (the left bend around the rock) As I reflected on it that day, (and this day) I noticed that my life was not normal. I've known this, however, I knew that I would do great and different things with my life, good positive things that would bless many people.

After a few hours of contemplation, meditation and coming more in harmony and balance with myself, my pod's mentor Aunt Jamama came over and started talking with me about what I'd been thinking about. She reaffirmed the good thoughts I'd been having about my life, told me of the goodness she saw in me and said that she felt the same in many ways.

[We can choose who we'll be, and just a moment of quiet reflection and pondering can help us create an image of ourselves as who we want to be, and then go become that.]

After discussing with my mentor, I had a little more time to reflect and ponder on things. Then we gathered all our pod together and discussed insights we'd had during solo time. There was a spirit of love and belonging in that conversation and we all bonded further together. We took a couple pictures with our pod and then left to go back to the main area of camp.

It was a little after coming back to camp that I finally decided that I would go tackle ascending since I'd not done it yet. Unfortunately the sky had gathered rainclouds and it was starting to sprinkle and drizzle a little bit, removing the chance to use any of the climbing gear due to safety concerns. Since that was the last chance to conquer that challenge of ascending at Elevation, I determined to take the next chance I get in life to conquer that and show myself that I can get higher than a third of the way up the rope.

There was many good conversations that happened during free time. Some games were played and though there was water coming down, it was still a good time. There was one lad who had caught a crawdad and some people watched as they interacted with it on a puddly table.

Since the rain came down really hard at times, we gathered under a roof that was for the pool-food shack-restaurant-patio-thingy. I played a couple games of chess as well as something similar to reversi. There were a couple guys that grabbed a log and did a short Caber-toss challenge between themselves, but alas I did not get a picture since it was raining and water and cameras don't mix. They did it though, and inspired me to try it when I had the chance later that Summer, it is a fun, though dangerous sport! Be careful if you're not familiar with the Scottish tradition of the Caber-toss.

One silver-lining benefit to being limited to the patio if you wanted to stay dry, was that I was able to start having people sign my yearbook! This was the first time I'd had a yearbook, and it was actually just the back of my notebook, but it has been so good to go back and read all the entries of my friends and their words of encouragement.

At the appointed time, or maybe later due to rain preventing campfire cooking, we had dinner of hot dogs at the patio, cooked on grills. Being the last night, some left over foodstuffs were brought to add interesting elements to the hot dogs, though unfortunately the weirdest I remember right now is BBQ sauce on them, and that's good! And actually, it was tacos or quesadillas that were the first food choice, but those ran out so we moved to hot dogs, which also ran out. But most were filled, even though there was talk of making a Mickey D's run to sate over all possible remaining hunger.

Sometime during dinner a campfire had been ignited, despite mother nature's protest with the rain. Once it was blazing pretty well there was a small burning of a pair of pants that had been found along the river at one point. (being at least the second pair found) They slowly disappeared.

The time had now come for "My Pod's Got Talent!" all the pods got together briefly and planned out a short skit/story/song/act/sketch/performance to play out in front of all the camp. As our pod deliberated, I threw out the possibility of telling a story of my Great-grandfather's life. The details I gave excited them and so we planned out how to turn it into a short skit to perform.

Then came Showtime! The order of events went something like this, a head mentor singing a song with a guitar accompaniment, leading into the whole pod singing along with them. Then a reenactment of the headmaster and his instructions regarding walls, and then exploring the thoughts of those involved in the activity. Ranging from, "does my breath smell bad?" to, "man, she is so cute!" and the like... (the re-creation of the headmaster's looks were quite accurate)



Which is which?

Then followed some form of line-chicken dancing-fighting. The journalistic evidence only shows blurry pictures and a couple of chickens lying on the ground, then those same chickens with other fellow chickens reaffirming their eliteness over all the others, ever. A demonstration of the newest iPhone followed. Enacting the positive and negative elements of the many apps that will come with it, and their lagginess or inability to work.

A run-through of a normal day at Elevation appears to have been next, though maybe something else. At this point our pod went and reenacted the story of when my great-grandfather was executed by the Russians, and how he then went back to the German lines back to join his unit in the German army. But that's a story for another day...

The final skits are unidentifiable by photo or memory, but alas 'tis so.

Later events of the night may have included a rating of the best skit, but it at least contained a brief pod devotional-gathering. As well as ballroom dance moves in the volleyball pit and further yearbooking.

Then the mentors finally coerced all of us to go to bed, despite our desires to continue bonding and talking with each other through the night, the morning held promise for further great things...

Elevation (Day 3)

It's been almost a year since I've blogged on here and I still needed to finish my story about my week at Elevation. Enjoy!

 

 

• 
  

  I awoke to the sound of others in my tent, yet again having slept through my alarm on my watch, but not having anything to worry because it might have helped without my knowing at the time. Regardless, I got ready for the day, grabbed my bowl for oatmeal and set out for the center of camp where the food was.
• As I was getting my oatmeal, I decided to put cinnamon on today, along with blueberries. I went to find a seat and/or someone to talk to, I ended up standing around talking to people while eating...
• Or at least trying to eat. As I had found out too late, I put more cinnamon in than would have been decent for even two bowls of oatmeal. But I had to eat it, and so I did. Right up until pod morning huddles were about to start.
• I did end up stalling the start a little bit, although we were able to have our morning huddle without issue. After our huddle we went over to the main camp area to get briefed on what our service project for the day would be.
• As the dice rolled, my pod and another were selected to clear the down-canyon path and make it better. While it wasn't boring, there wasn't much exciting that happened besides finding a pair of jeans that had been there a while, as well as a metal fence post. Besides those surprises we just cleaned out any trash and cleared the paths as well as adding a couple barriers to keep the path where it was supposed to be.
• Prior to the service project the E-Ninjas (those who have attended Elevation 4 or more times) had left on the E-Ninja trip. (Which didn't involve me seeing as it was my first time, but it involve more rappelling, a tight squeeze through some rocks and a venture into what appeared to be lava tubes)
• This left our pod with two fewer people, but that was part of the next challenge, the simulation.
• As we were leaving the service project we lingered around a could minutes waiting for the simulation to start. Or at least that's what I did (but I saw others doing so too) until I was informed that I would need shoes that could get wet, or sandals. But not flip flops, unless they had a back-strap. Which the ones I brought didn't have. And so I had to get my socks off and into my tent before the simulation started, which was very soon. And in my rush I didn't think to grab my ready pack.
• The simulation started with our pod and another pod being led down-canyon to the simulation points. Both of us going to a different one.
• Our lot was to end up with the shelter exercise first.
• Because a flash flood had come by earlier and wiped out all of the structures that had been there, with another storm on it's way and us stuck in the canyon. So we had to build a shelter that would defend us from the rains coming our way.
• And with such information we knew we had little time to act, we started looking for areas that would work with the tarp and rope we'd been supplied with. Someone started looking near the river for an area that would work. It was here that I put my foot down.
• I explained how when I was usually in these situations I just let whoever could direct the group lead it to whatever they chose, including at times when I knew it was certain disaster. But I put my foot down and told my pod how I normally would do that, but not to my fellow pod members.
• They (being the amazing people they are) stopped to listen to me, and I explained how I felt that being as close to the river as we were we would be swept away when the flood came, and so I suggested that we look for higher ground but that I wanted them to choose for themselves without me demanding what happened.
• They decided that what I'd suggested was a good idea, and so we went for higher ground.
• One of our pod members went for higher ground faster than us, and in the process he fell and broke his arm. So now along with building shelter, we had to care for one of our own who had broken his arm.
• Although it wasn't too much trouble and the rest of us made it to the higher ground without difficulty or at least malady.
• Then we started looking for the best place to set our shelter. The nearby covert in the side of the cliff sounded like a good option, so we started hanging the tarp, along with another one that we'd found, to build up our shelter from the rain. After a few minutes we had it just about ready, but at the same time so was the rain. So we had to leave it mostly completed and rush to our newly-made shelter to ride out the heavy rain.
• As soon as the rain came it knocked the two tarps apart from each other and the water rushed in a splattered all over the ground and a little over me and some of my pod members.
• Then another gush of rain came with similar results, but then the rain stopped as quickly as it had come.
• After the rain we discovered that two of our pod members had developed hypothermia, with one of them in shock as well. Thus we were left as we had to proceed to the next area.
• At the next area we had become so overrun with exhaustion that we needed to procure food and a fire to cook it over.
• This is where my missing ready pack comes in. While one of our pod members who had survived without any maladies was ascending a rope to get the food we needed. I was with the group that was building the fire. After the rain we'd been left with only two matches as our conventional means to start a fire. After we'd gotten a good set up for the lighting, we lit the first one. And it promptly blew out in the wind. And so with the next one we shielded from the wind, but it wouldn't light!
• And so we were left with no matches or lighters to start a fire.
• But...
• One of the people that was starting the fire, we were lucky to have our man who'd broken his arm. Why? Because he had crazy big lenses on his glasses! :D
• Although as we found out, they were not quite strong enough with the amount of sunlight we had to start the tinder on fire.
• This is the key moment that having my ready pack might have saved us, because within it it held a whistle with a magnifying glass inside, that coupled with the large glasses might have been enough to start a fire.
• But alas, I had neglected and forgot my ready pack before it was swept away with the rest of the camp.
• And so we were forced to eat our food raw. As well as to go on our merry way to the next area of the Disaster.
• Which was to send a signal in order to be rescued.
• In order to do so, we needed to climb the canyon wall and do something that would catch the attention of overhead jets.
• Seeing as we were in the middle of nowhere.
• Once we'd all climbed up, and as we were, we planned to arrange ourselves into an S an O and another S. With two people per letter. We also decided to build a fire and did so. Then the man who we'd found as we were trying to signal said that we would be able to signal a jet with those simple things, that we'd need to create black smoke or use smoke signals. Even lighting three fires in an area would attract the attention that we wanted. If we'd had flares we could have also used those.
• After we'd set up our signal we needed to bathe ourselves considering the amount of time we'd already spent stranded. And so we went to a high place in the river and built up a dam to stop the water so we could have proper hygiene. While building the dam, our man with a broken arm got hypothermia as well as one other pod member...
• Then it was time for lunch.
• We were to the main area of camp in no time, right on time to get some Costco pizza! I grabbed a half-a box with everything on it. (three slices, the limit) Then we talked and waited around for the Pod Wars to start.
• (I should probably note here that I wrote as if things happened in real life that were just part of the simulation, none of the maladies actually happened and we didn't all climb the wall out of the canyon, only one of our pod members climbed partway up the wall. if it sounded unrealistic once the simulation started, it most likely didn't happen, but I did actually forget my ready pack...)
• And I got to help one of our pod members back to the main area of camp after they had actual problems with their ankle. But they were able to take care of it once back at camp.
• After I was done eating lunch I sat around and talked a little, but I had gotten my feet wet as had been expected but not planned for. Seeing as this bugs me to no end, I eventually decided to go to the bathroom and remove my shoes and dry them out.
• But, in transit I came across a load of men and younger men who were removing a very large box out of the back of a pickup truck. So I joined in and helped them get what turned out to be a freezer into the kitchen that was next to the pool.
• That lasted right up until Pod Wars. And so I quickly went to the bathroom and took care of my feet. And I felt SO MUCH BETTER! Then I ran back to find my pod to join them in Pod Wars.
• When I found them, they were on a log trying to get everyone mirrored from where they'd initially been standing. I joined right in and we were about to the end goal when I slipped and made it so we had to restart. But due to time we just went to the next battle.
• Which was a game of Koosh! Against another pod, pod two to be almost too accurate. We lost the first battle, but then won the next two. It was about this time that the E-Ninjas returned from their excursion. They promptly found the pizza...
• The next pod that we battled was pod one. Who won. Although I believe that we'd won one battle against them, they took two out of three.
• And thus we were eliminated from the Pod Wars. Having done fairly well against the team that made it to the finale.
• After our final battle we took to taking a ring around the ring of the volleyball pit.
• In other words, we took a hula hoop around the volleyball pit with us all inside it. Taking another one with us and moving them along by stepping into one and then into the other after moving it.
• After we made it halfway we had to bring a ball as well that had to stay below waist level, the ball being 12-15" in diameter.
• But, regardless of difficulty, we triumphed and went even farther than we had to!
• After this we went to watch another pod trying to solve a puzzle with themselves. And as we were watching, talking and waiting around, some of us made up a new sport...
• Hula Hopping
• Basically, one person hula hoops, and then another person hula hops into the hula hoops. While they're in motion. I was on the sidelines capturing picture evidence. But they were able to get up the three at a time successfully completed.
• Then, around precisely 4:30 me and others had been getting ready to and over to the pool to swim.
• I got there around precisely 4:30, showered in water that then made the pool warm. And hopped in.
• I watched as chicken fights erupted, and mountains were made.
• Although, despite the seemingly warm atmosphere, the Earthly atmosphere was clouded over and made swimming in a cool pool less cool. Despite that though, we just kept swimming.
• A couple select people that thought that they could lie around the pool without getting in were then sought out by those in the pool and brought to the pool via grabbing them and tossing them in.
• Then a game of 500 came into being with a tumultuous center of the pool ensuing. While I stayed on the sidelines, I was able to grab three balls as they landed near me.
• After long enough I exited the pool. Showered while making noise to distract myself from the temperature of that water and then went to sun myself and my flip flops dry. I also watched the last few who were still playing 500. I had also sat next to a good friend, so I conversed with them til they left to change and get ready for dinner. A little before the dinner bell would have sounded I proceeded to my tent to change back into dry and better looking clothing.
• After changing I went over to dinner, got some, ate it. Most likely conversed with someone amazing. And then after putting my dishes away I went over the the swing and talked with people there. I also watched crazy stunts. But no injuries besides extreme dizziness. And the one who was dizzy insisted upon eating a little bit of their dinner after each swing. I don't think that came to haunt them though, which was good.
• Then after a while we got called over the watch the finale of Pod Wars.
• Pod one bravely faced Pod five. And came out winning one battle, but in the end, pod five won the Pod Wars and was named victors with the Silver Llama award.
• Then they engaged the mentors and trail guides in a glorious battle, which they came close to winning at times, but sheer numbers ousted them and the mentors won.
• 
• After this there was created a camp-wide Koosh game, where all who wanted to could come and battle! It was each pod for themselves. And in this battle, the rule was made that once out, you were out and off the court.
• Thus ensuing more safety.
• I played stealth and stayed in the shade of a tree overhanging a large portion of a corner. I stayed there for most of the game until we were down to less than twenty contestants.
• Then I had to start moving. As I was about to be targeted.
• I dodged a shot and darted to the other side of court. Under another tree. I stayed there a couple more minutes until I was again approached, but this time it was a lone person, the last of their pod, who came for me.
• We stood each other off, they aimed, I tensed, they shot, I jumped! And it missed me!! I grabbed the ball off the ground and rushed them, shot after three steps, and missed. But I came close, and got the ball away from me for another minute or so.
• This time there were a few that came for me, encouraged by my previous success at dodging I stayed put and tried to guess where I'd need to dodge to.
• They cornered me, edged me in, aimed, shot and I dodged, but got hit anyway.
• I was however, in the last ten or fewer of contestants.
• Being out as I was, I left the court and went over the others who were still watching. A couple of them from my pod. One of them was ecstatic that I'd stayed in as long as I had. The other-who had tried to get me in on action while I still had other pod members in and I had stayed in my corner wanting them to get me the ball as others were in front of me-didn't seem as excited, but was still happy it appeared.
• Thinking back on it, I was playing how I knew, survive by being unimportant, but it was also at times boring because of how I played. Due to my friend from my pod's possible annoyance at my play-style, and my realization that I hadn't been part of a team and might have had more fun. I'm going to try and get more out and play differently than I normally do, in my next game of Koosh and in other games that I play. (although I know I'll still play unimportant at times, I'll try and be a team player nonetheless)
• After this last game of Koosh ended, we got ready to go on a night hike.
• It was plenty long after the time that we'd been supposed to have it, but the Pod Wars game of Koosh hadn't been scheduled. Anyway, we gathered up after grabbing lights and an extra layer if needed.
• And we were told that we'd be going along the trail that our pod had helped clean up just earlier that day. I then understood why. That made me happy to know.
• Anyway, we were asked to NOT use lights for as much as possible, as well as remaining silent. We would go in pods and journey to the gathering place at the end.
• Once our pod started I was second or third to last, and I pride myself over not using my own light, even if I used the light from others when they used it at times. For the most part though, it was in mostly darkness, the trail wasn't easy, but it was a good hike. I pointed out areas of possible issue as I passed them and all in all it was good. (thinking back, I might have used my light at one steep point....)
• After we'd gotten to where we were going, we sat down and had a group discussion on what that had been like, it was insightful to hear people saw how scared they'd been when I'd been very confident about my abilities. It made me think about how I'd already been on most (but not all) of the trail that we'd just walked, but others hadn't. After just a couple minutes we had to go back for curfew. Now lights were allowed I believe. Although I don't remember if I used mine or not, I think I did.
• I did scrape my ankle on a rock through my sock at one point on the way back.
• Once we got back to camp we were either to head to bed or to get ready for survival night and meet at the campfire.
• I'd been planning doing survival night when I first saw it on the schedule. But with how tired I was, with my now scraped ankle, my apprehension to sleeping outside a shelter, my lack of someone that I'd for sure be buddying with and probably a couple other factors convinced me to skip it and just head to bed.
• And so as I dropped off a couple things at the tent before heading to the restroom I said good night and good luck to one of my pod friends that was getting ready to go on survival night. Then I headed to the restroom to get ready for bed.
• And as I was coming back from the restroom I started really feeling the struggle that was inside me about doing survival night.
• I started realizing that I really did want to go, but that the pressures to not go had mounted up and didn't want me to go.
• It was right about then that I had/put the song by Kenny Loggins into my head, "This is It" specifically the part where it says, 'You think that maybe it's over, not if you don't want it to be. FOR ONCE IN YOUR LIFE, HERE'S YOUR MIRACLE, STAND UP AND FIGHT!'
• As that part of the song was finishing I passed by the campfire and saw one of my friends that I'd really had before coming to Elevation. I saw her over there and though, "If *person's name* is doing it, I'm doing it!" I then asked as I passed by after having decided to go if I could still make it and was told yes.
• And so I went back to the tent a little faster, met my pod friend who was still getting ready, told him how Kenny Loggins had done something to me and now I was going. I grabbed my sleepingbag, stuffed it in it's bag, rolled up my pad and then headed off for survival night.
• I got to the campfire and listened as they talked about making sure you didn't have any Widowmakers near your sleeping spot. This reminded me of Black Widows and other such creepy crawlies... Anyway, they were talking about things such as dead tree branches over you or other similar things to avoid.
• After a little longer they had us go off down the same way as the night hike. Past other tents and the mentor leading us showed us his sleeping spot and instructed us to wake him if we went by him for any reason.
• I went down the path until it became unrealistic to find a spot, and so I came back on the top of the ridge that was there and found a spot that looked just about perfect. I wouldn't roll anywhere, it was mostly flat and had a grass cushion. Then I looked up and saw the Widowmakers... I kept walking.
• Then I found another spot that didn't have any Widowmakers above me, the only worry being a crack that I might fall into if I slipped down my pad too far. But I was tired and decided that it would have to do because it was also the end of the path. So I bedded down and only had to turn my light off every five minutes to get rid of the moths. There weren't too many bugs on the rock I was sleeping on, but more than I'd have liked.
• Either way, my discomfort had lost as I walked past the campfire and made my decision. So once I was ready for bed I turned off my light and went to sleep.

Elevation (Day 2)

Come morning, a little past the break of dawn, our lad has awoken and gathers himself together to start the day. Once set and ready he comes to the table with the morning's grub ready to fix up and eat. As he eats his breakfast he sits and talks with people, getting to know them better while looking ahead to the challenging day ahead.

A little before the set time, another from his Fellowship has reminded him of the huddle to be had by the members of their Fellowship. They proceed to their previously selected meeting area and discuss the coming day and what they will all need to have with them. This includes sufficient water and food until midday meal.

Then, the time for challenges fast approaches. Everyone scurries about ensuring that they are ready for the coming tests of will and endurance. They are briefed on where they will go and what they will be doing, then, it is time for our Fellowship to head over to the ascending rope...

As their Fellowship approached the ascending ropes, they were greeted warmly by the people that were standing by to assist them. They helped them get suited up in harnesses and helmets, they had members of the group that were returning from previous years of Elevation direct the rest of the group on how to properly ascend.

As our lad's friends were ascending he cheered them on whilst preparing himself to ascend.
When it came time for him to ascend, he was shown the ropes and instructed on how to use the ascenders to ascend and then to belay off to the ground.
Then he started up the rope...

As he went higher and higher he was cheered on by those in his pod, he struggled to figure out how to use his legs and arms in unison while struggling with the rope in the middle impeding his motion. One from his pod told him to use his legs and only push with his arms. At this point he had become tired and thought he knew what he needed to do differently to reach the top.

So he halted and returned to the ground to return again during free time. Then others went and they moved onto the next challenge.

The next challenge was the slightly infamous, or at least slightly misunderstood challenge of Walls.

Walls: this is where everyone in the pod goes around and shares one of their insecurities. Then you get to stare into the person's eyes who is sitting across from you.

This is a very emotional experience, and those that participate will leave having been changed; both from sharing and from listening to others share.

There are but two rules for the second portion of the activity, 1) you must remain silent, and 2) you may not think that the person across from you has a crush on you. Our lad had no problem with either of these rules and was able to grow from the experience of sharing and listening.

After Walls and many hugs, our Fellowship journeyed across a bridge to the next challenge of...
CROSSFIT!

The challenge consisted of running up a 30-40 degree hill and then a timed and increasing set of burpy-jacks, squats, sit-ups and then 20' of lunges.

Some of our Fellowship was done after or during the running, others were spent during the sets and only a handful made it to the next set. Our lad was finished after the first 3 minute set. But some of his friends had the gumption to continue on if only for a little into the second set.

After crossfit, they were glad to head to lunch and take a break. For lunch they had sandwiches with a delicious formation of nectar complimented by a buttery spread of peanuts. During the hour for lunch our lad refreshed himself by eating, talking and refilling his water. Then it was onto the next challenge...

The next challenge that our Fellowship had to face, was first to empty four soda cans. During this challenge they were briefed on the challenge that would immediately be following the soda.

That challenge was to create a ferry for electrons between two of the soda cans that were hooked up to a positive and a negative side of a circuit. The ferry had to be in the form of a teeter totter. They were quickly able to create one and thus ended that challenge. Then they were told about the next challenge that was harder than the ferry even...

The next challenge was to create a merry-go-round with the four soda cans and the rotating part above them being able to complete multiple rotations in a row.

The Fellowship worked on this challenge with due haste and brain power, but their time ran out just as they were figuring out the last bit that they needed to fix. Other than they hadn't finished and wanted that satisfaction, they left feeling fulfilled, if only a little reluctant to continue on in their challenges.

Although they were quickly able to forget their disappointment when they came upon their next challenge that was quite literally over their heads...
Rock climbing

There were some in the group that had previously rock climbed, but for our lad it was his very first time besides some man made structures and scrambling up big rocks. They all suited up in harnesses and helmets, as well as rock climbing shoes.

It took a while for our lad to find a size that he thought would fit him since the sizes didn't correlate with his other shoes he was wearing. But he was able to find some and went up to the wall.

First he belayed a fellow Fellowship member, and after they had made it up and down again it was time for our lad to climb...

It went quickly, he scaled the first 20 feet with ease. Then he had to move to the side and go up another 10 or so feet, then back to the middle again where he had to put his trust in the shoes and his belayer because of the lack of hand/foot holds. But he was able to climb the rest of the way to the nut on the top and almost gave it a kiss, but feared for his safety and so stopped within the last few inches. They he rappelled back down to the ground, but not before learning first hand why the saying exists that says, "Don't look down." He made it safely down though.

After he was down it was time to move onto the last challenge of the day, the Fellowship made their way to the center of camp and prepared for the next challenge of rappelling.
Our lad had to quickly run and do something, but once he was back he got his harness, helmet and a glove and started hiking up to the top of the canyon with one of his group guiding him along the path. When he reached the spot to rappel he was greeted by the man up top who was prepping everyone for the descent to the canyon floor again.


After people were ready the man took a picture of them to capture their feelings about rappelling, our lad took this and made it public knowledge after his experience at camp. But before that he had to make it to the bottom in one piece...


He started down, and besides not having a prior knowledge of what to do all the way down, he was able to follow directions and made it safely down. Although he did have to center himself by kicking when he was veering off to the side. And his arm was stiff afterwards as well because of holding his belay rope, but it was a great experience and fun to do.

From the best sources we have of this event, it would seem that the next thing our lad did after the final challenge of rappelling, was talking to people during what they called, "free time." He talked with some people that were in his pod along with others from outside it, but it was a good conversation.

Then once that conversation had ended or was nearing an end our lad was invited over to another table to play Go Fish.

And the record shows that this was no ordinary game of Go Fish, indeed it can be said that it inspired fear in the hearts of those who were not prepared to deal with the awesomeness that was emanating from the game of Go Fish.

For you see, there were many at the table, including our lad, who were skilled in the ability to change their accents to those of Russian, Italian, German, Irish and many others that have been forgotten with time. But it is remembered that it was not the game that was amazing, but rather the way the game was played. Because had you been there for just the game you would have become frustrated with the slowness of play, but if you were there to have a great time, you became enthralled with the conversation that was going on in different accents every other minute. There were those that looked on in wonder, and what can only be guessed to be a desire to have been a part of that game, some dared to come closer, but there were but few. The people in that game of Go Fish, left with glad hearts and good friendships with those who they had but a moment ago been competing with.

After only a short while, returning to the center of camp would have found you in the midst of song and those having conversation, our lad was in conversation at this point. Then a few minutes after this, it was time for dinner.

Although upon further examination of the record, we also find a reference to a game of Uno that our lad joined in playing. He was also multitasking because he was journaling at the same time. Which threw those he was playing with for a loop after he won and hadn't appeared to be paying attention. They had voiced their concerns with his ability to play and journal at the same time, he rebutted with saying, "it's more effective this way" and it turned out to be true. Because not only did he journal that which he had wished, but he also came out victor of the first game of Uno. After that though, he won none. But still had a good time and came close. Then dinner had started.

Dinner came in waves for our lad, because of the small size of the wee warm weeniers they were eating. He had three rounds of them, and in between rounds he conversed with those around him, as well as beholding a sight that few can tell tale of...

The sight being, those who had been playing music on the guitar and singing along; had turned into horses! There were no fewer than four horse heads that had replaces the heads of those who had just moments before been regular young man heads. The horses continued in song though, and while some may have said it to be a dream, others would have asked them to clarify between it being a dream, and being a nightmare.

Others shouted "Hey!" to gain the attention of those around, to draw their attention to what would appear to be stable singing on the part of the horses. Still others asked what would become of their voices should they continue for too long. Although it is sad yet glad to report the horses were able to return to human form after a little while.

But, instead of being glad at the horses, some were given up in their attempts to rein in the horse jokes.

After the horse jokes had run their course, and our lad had finished his third round of food eating, he left the eating area to talk to people, and instead started playing tag with two other people, and none of them ran about much. So they slightly conversed whilst playing a small game of tag.

At one point, one player ended up on the ground and so you merely had to stay out of arm's reach, but he stood back up eventually. Which was also right around the time that there were more horses in the camp than before.

This time, there were no less than six horses, who all had on a bathing suit and carried a towel. They emerged from behind a tent and proceeded to sing the song, "I'm a little Teapot" Queen style. Then they ran off to swim in the creek and remove the remnants of crossfit from earlier in the day. Almost needless to say, most everyone was speechless.

It was following this event that our lad made his way over to the swing that went over the creek. He conversed with people who were also around the swing, and was able to swing a couple times, it was really nice. Then he returned to the main area of camp to prepare for the naming of the mentors and trail guides.

To fill in a detail about the swinging though, we must return and point out that commonly people who swung would have to be caught in order to stop their swinging. And while this usually wasn't a problem, near the time that our lad was about to return to the center of camp, he was the last one besides one of his friends who was swinging still. When they had finished our lad tried to help them off the swing by catching the swing and stopping it, they only held it long enough for their friend to get out before he started forward swinging, hanging by just his hands on the chains of the swing...

He was able to hold on though, and made it safely to the bank before he dropped to the ground and returned the swing to the tree where it's stored. Then he went onto the naming of the mentors.

During the naming of the mentors, the mentors were required to share their first kiss story, or their first love or what friendship meant to them. All were chosen by at least one, and all were good stories and thoughts; there were just some more memorable than others...

The names that were given to the Fellowship's mentors were "Ninja" and "Aunt Jemama." Who both accepted their names and were great mentors.

After the campfire naming ceremony, the Fellowship met together to debrief a little on the day's events and challenges as well as giving details on what would happen on the morrow. Then our Fellowship had a group hug and headed off to bed.

Elevation (Day 1)

I was able to attend an amazing camp this past week, called Elevation, and I wish that everyone in the whole world could go because it's so amazing! But I can at least share my experience from it. I'll be telling my story from an author's point of view.


It all began, 3 years ago. When our lad's sister first started attending this new place to learn, called Williamsburg Academy.

And at the end of that school year, she went to this camp called Elevation. She had a fantastic time there, few to none of her family understood the significance of that camp.

Until two years later, her brother started attending that same school.

He learned their ways, through some trial and error, but mostly, and most significantly, through being himself.

There he learned to tear down his walls and really learn and really be himself.

He found many great friends, although some of them came from places besides that school. He felt that he had hit the motherload of greatness in people and learning. It was hard and at times rough and tumbly, but he proceeded and came out stronger.

As that school year was progressing, he continued strengthening his relationships with his friends, he was even able to meet some in person. Which was always special, stemming from the online nature of the school.

As the year was wrapping to a close, he realized that Elevation was quickly drawing nigh. He wanted to make the most of it, but he also feared that he wouldn't and that he would leave feeling unfulfilled.

As the week of Elevation drew ever nearer, he was more and more anxious, more and more excited, more and more having a desire to save his emotions for the week of Elevation and to share them with his current friends, and those that he knew he would become friends with.

Then, the week before Elevation he finished up his last assignments, submitted them. And had to wait a whole half week until Elevation would start!

To remain sane, he whittled away his time, waiting, but trying not to think about the coming adventure.

In some ways he built up a strong desire to make the most of it, and in others he built up a strong fear that he would fall short in making the most of it.

Then, two days before he would embark on the journey to Elevation, he began to pack, he gathered everything together and made it ready. The next day passed swiftly and before he knew it, he was off to the mythical land of Crawdad Canyon.

He had the opportunity to ride with some fellow Burgers, the party of Burgers quickly bonded and joined in mutual excitement for the coming week.

Then, before they knew it, they had arrived at the canyon.

As they stepped into the light of the South Country, they started soaking up the reality of what they were about to participate in.

For the young man that we are following in this story, it almost seemed too much and too little at the same time. Here, here at long last were so many people that he knew over the vast distance of the internet.

As he would go up and see someone he knew, they would both embrace in a glorious and heartfelt hug. Then they would both look at each other in awe, wonder to themselves and sometimes aloud about the physical characteristics that they had imagined differently from the little that they'd seen of the other from a webcam.

Most were surprised by the height of the other, sometimes it was thought that the other would be taller, and sometimes shorter. Mostly for the lad we're following, it was thought that he was not as tall as he was. But for at least one, it was thought that he would have been taller still.

As the young man proceeded down the hill into the canyon, the people and the greetings continued. He made it eventually to a man that he respected much, and was informed as to which tent he would spend the week in. After setting his place in the tent and meeting some new people, he continued out to greet those that were still arriving, and to greet those that had already arrived.

After a little he realized that some of his friends were over at a table, retrieving fascinating food that would be consumed at the discretion of each person over the course of the week.
He proceeded to this table and received his allotted amount of food.

Then he continued talking to people, although at times he was forced to silence and separation from others by his fear of talking with people, he tried to talk himself out of this fear since he knew it was unfounded, but it went on for some time at times.

After some time though, his fear was put aside as all the people that were gathered together, were gathered into an even smaller area onto a patch of sand, that at this time was in a sorry state. But despite the state of the sand they gathered on, they organized themselves into standing where their state would be had the sand been a map of the United States of America.

There were those that had journeyed from the faraway lands of Virginia, Maryland, Georgia and Canada. And then there were those that had come from the mountains, in the Northern parts of the state, there were those from the even more Southernly lands of New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada. There was even one who had journeyed from the distant and wet land of Costa Rica. There were also many from the Western land of California.

After they had organized themselves into a masterful pattern on the sand detailing out where they lived; they were then called upon by name to join with others who were also being called upon to join the ranks of the six great pods of Elevation!

The lad who we have thusfar followed, joined the ranks of the illustrious Fellowship that had been unwittingly called Pod Three. They adjourned the others and quickly united into the Fellowship that was known for it's gumption and prepared nature.

Though it had been said that in ages past it took hours if not days for the members of a pod to join together in unity, this Fellowship had done so in less than an hour. And it only became stronger throughout the week.

After this Fellowship had adjourned their members for the camp's free time, our lad found himself yet again beset by a desire to talk to others and to explore, but couldn't yet find the gumption to do so.

But, due to a magnificent lady that strolled by and that posed a simple question, we found our lad joining her and her companion on a journey to the Northern reaches of the canyon. After swiftly procuring permission to do so, they set off and in only a short while they reached the bounds that they had been set to stay within.

Though slightly tempted to journey beyond, they quickly turned themselves about and went on their way back to camp, though they did cross the creek along the way.
At this point we find the memory of the troubadour to be lacking slightly, but as best we can tell, the lad went on and was able to converse with others of his friends until such time as all were called together for that night's feast. Which was a magnificent meal of pasta in a tomato sauce.

Here we can find the memory of the troubadour strengthened by the worn record detailing out the times that events were had on this journey.

And from this record, the troubadour has remembered the demanding yet rewarding game of Koosh that the lad had played between the time of him eating dinner and the time that he had met with his pod that became a Fellowship.

The game of Koosh is simple to understand, but even a master at the game can be outwitted and outplayed by an amateur.

The rules are as follows: You must take the ball after the game has begun with it being thrown at the ground, then you must achieve a good shot at another with the ball to remove them from the game. You may not take more than three steps as you possess the ball, but, as the people whom you remove from play merely sit down where they are, you may throw the ball to them and they must throw it back to you, although it can be intercepted during either throw. The purpose of those who are out to sit on the field, besides moving the ball around, is because they may resume play once the person who has gotten them out has gotten out themself. The goal is to be the last person standing, thus having gotten all other players out, dealing you the title of Koosh Champion until it is challenged and usurped.

Though our lad did not become the Koosh Champion until there were but four players total, he was able to play well and had almost half out at one time or another.

To return to where we left off, we will find ourselves in the midst of yoga being done by those in the camp. Our lad had at times long past done yoga, but the memory had faded and so it was practically new to him, although he was able to relax his body and mind, as well as opening his mind to prepare himself for the week.

Then immediately following yoga, the camp was taken to meditation. Given slight direction, and encouraged to find what this camp would be for them, all found something different from another, but our lad found that he wanted to break free from limitations that he had long placed upon himself that he knew would restrict his ability to fully participate, be it only because it would be uncomfortable. This was his goal, along with a desire to be more of a leader that he knew he could be.

After the time for meditation had passed, it was time to pull out the journals that had been brought. There they recorded the answers to  some questions that they were asked. Namely these: What am I afraid of at Elevation? Why am I here? and  What can I contribute to this pod and others?
They were also asked to write how they had felt this first day, when they had felt vulnerable and what did they want?

One goal that might be surprising to note that our lad wrote down, is that he wanted to become vulnerable.

After the journaling was finished, the lad joined others around the campfire as stories were shared. There were only a couple due to the time appointed for everyone to be in their place of slumber for the evening, be it their tent or the patch of sand in the middle of camp. The stories that were shared though, were good and the lad was glad he got to listen to them. When it came time to retire, he proceeded to his tent and promptly fell asleep once ready.

Benjamin Fincher

Hello, how are you? You're doing well? That's good, but why would you settle for that when you can be extremely well? Or even super fantastic?!? That's what I am right now, I'm super fantastic! But...

Bow ties are cool!

I'm getting better!  I also happen to be Benjamin Fincher, which is amazing, and I wouldn't give it up for anything!

Now, on to what you want to know about me for your information, getting to know me better, finding out more about a single Burger, your stalking purposes. (you know who you are...) I live in the city of Orem, which is in the county of Utah, state of Utah, the United States of America, North America, the Northern Hemisphere, which is on the planet Earth, the Solar System, the Milky Way Galaxy, the local group, the Virgo Super-cluster, the observable universe, the universe, and possibly a multiverse? (I like to be prepared in case we have any extra terrestrials visit here)

A picture of younger me and one of my younger sisters

A brief history of Benjamin Fincher follows hereafter: (possibly comparable with Steven Hawking's A Brief History of Space and Time) I was born and raised in the above stated place, it is a good place to be and I would much rather be here than be anywhere else. Because can you imagine if you lived in a different galaxy? You would have the same issue of wanting to live in another galaxy such as ours, but not know anything different than we do here. (assuming that the technology and related things are the same as here) I have 4 siblings, an older sister who went to Williamsburg two years ago, as well as two younger sisters and a younger brother. My parents are amazing and because of my older sister reading too soon for "conventional" means, they decided to homeschool her and from then on the rest of my family has been homeschooled and I absolutely love it! I have had many interesting, quirky and random adventures. (of which you should ask me to detail some out for you) But to give a couple examples briefly, I have saved an oven door from burning down, I have gargled hot chocolate, I have fainted and I have been to a couple different rock concerts. I also have taken interest in many different areas, of which I detail some out below, but a couple others to touch on would be hard to do, so I won't. I do however love being outside and preforming some form of activity while outside, be it hiking, working in the yard or just walking, it's all wonderful to do. I do tend to not talk as much as people would think to expect from me, especially if you are currently reading this post, because I do tend to write and write and write when given the option. However, I do become very talkative when I am tired or get to know and trust you. One final detail about me before moving onto other details about me; is that I tend to write things at night, such as this blog entry. As well as sometimes writing parts and then inserting other parts in between what I have already written. It is an interesting and I choose to say, good writing style. (any who disagree may feel free to rewrite this post in another style with the same information and details. :) )

This is me at a young age,
demonstrating my persistent sense of style

Other details about me... I can be serious at times, after this point I shall endeavor to write in such a manner: I've been a Burger for over 200 days. Which is not near long enough, seeing as I'm writing on this blog you probably figured this out, but this is my first and last year here at the amazing gem of a place called Williamsburg Academy. And what you can expect from me after graduation, is to see me at a certain session of Elevation, and then from there I plan on working a part time job while still studying things that interest me. This all leading up to my adult life, which will commence on my eighteenth birthday I'm told. But the first major event that I have planned on doing for as long as I can remember, is to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (if you ever want to talk religion, message me up) I believe that along with sharing the message I will be bringing to people that I will gain many basic adult life skills.

Right here I will profess my adoration to Julie Herdt that she would come all the way down from where she lives to my town, just to sing to me. That really was a great performance. Thank you. :)

Me on top of Angels' Landing at Zion's National Park

Hobbies that I have... Hmm, I will just say a couple of things that I enjoy doing since I haven't had much time for hobbies recently. Hiking, running, talking with people, being with people, learning to play the guitar, reading, writing, ballroom dance, ripping records, singing, accents, creating art, finding ways to make something without buying it instead, sharing witty things/thoughts, carrying things in my pockets, eating any food with chopsticks, being prepared, proofreading things for fun, dressing up, having fun and learning new and exciting things. (as well as some not so fun things ;) ) I'm also interested in politics as well as getting statesmen into office, being prepared, frugality, old fashioned skills (i.e. coopering, broom-making, pottery, cobbling, candle-making, apothecary, weapons and baking) as well as becoming the 100 year old running the mountain.

Lessons that I've learned? (in case you didn't read everything above ;) ) Get ahead when you don't have to still submit things. Learn from and take notes from your peers. Get to know your peers, they are literally some of the best people you will ever meet. (although that can be the case with anyone, WA concentrates that awesome population) Become your best self and set good habits as soon as humanly possible. YOU. CAN. LEARN. ANYTHING! If you put yourself to it, there really isn't anything that you can't learn. Plan ahead, otherwise you will have things sneak up on you or not have enough time when things come up unexpectedly.

My favorite WA class has got to be Personal Leadership with Mr. Denning, if you didn't know him and met him on the street you'd think he's high on something with how happy he is! But, the thing is, he is. He is high on Awesome Sauce!

One pose you might take while high on Awesome Sauce.
Or while enjoying the great outdoors, one of the two.

Which is a conglomeration of many different things, but most if not all of them focus on being the best you can, helping others become the best they can and having a great attitude through it all. You should ask someone (Mr. Denning, me, someone else who knows) how you can get some Awesome Sauce if you don't already have it.

Bucket list: I don't have a well written bucket list, (I'm working on changing that) but a couple things on it are these; to marry a beautiful woman in one of my church's temples. Be the 100 year old running on the mountain. (not in a speedo!) Get a Delorean. Be remembered for who I was and not just what I did. Visit a couple different countries, UK and one on every continent at least. Build my own house at least once.

Here is one of my most recent trophies

Here I would like to throw a shout-out to some of the many people that have helped my on this trip of a lifetime. First I do have to acknowledge our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, who have blessed me in ways that I can't even begin to imagine, I can notice ways that I've been blessed, but it's not nearly all that I'm being blessed with. Next I would like to thank my parents. They somehow convinced me to give Williamsburg a chance... and I don't want to think of how much duller my life would be if I hadn't been given the opportunity to come here and learn everything I have. They've also supported me throughout the school year and are the best parents I could ask for. Right here I would like to thank you for reading this, it's not a lot, from either of us, but I hope that I've helped you with something you've been struggling with or at least put a smile on your face with my writing style and weird sense of humour.

Victory is assured with all the necessary preparations

Although I should apologize for having you read my short story length post, but thanks again. And now on to the mentors, having only one year at WA isn't enough to get classes with all the mentors, and I'm sure that people who have been here as long as they could would say that that's not even long enough to be with them. But it is enough time to get to know them somewhat, and to appreciate what they do for all of us, even if we don't really engage in class, they still care and will work with you. And there are ways to keep up with them as we move on thanks to social networking technology. And finally, I would like to thank my classmates. You are all amazing! Super stellar and I've been so blessed to get to know you for even a short season of life, but I hope to continue these friendships established here long until after we're dead. Thanks again to everyone who makes this whole thing possible and who helped me specifically! You are all amazing! (Google that word, it's true and correct)

I've also done many things in Scouting

Life is a journey best enjoyed with people that make you laugh and a good disposition to everything that comes your way.¹

I think that this quote is a great one to wrap up what my journey has been through school and life in general. It is interesting to note how this is pretty much the climax and fulfillment of my entire life up to this point, because after this semester ends I will be thrown into the whirlwind that is adult life. But Williamsburg Academy and the people that run it have helped prepare me in ways that I don't even know yet, and I'm thankful to everyone that has joined me on this journey and helped me. I hope that I've helped others along the way too, and always feel free to talk with me about anything or message me up if you need help with anything. ~Benjamin Fincher

Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.<sup>2


1</sup> Sherlock Norris
² William Shakespeare