CAMP SWAP ... AND SAVING SPIDERS

BY ANN SEBRING

I WAS so excited—my summer was going to be a blast. I'd been accepted as a CIT (counselor in training) at a summer camp for Christian Scientists. I'd flown down to camp, and I was ready to meet new people and tackle all the fun challenges I'd be faced with—knowing God would be taking all weights off my shoulders.

I don't remember exactly when it hit me, but as the session started, I felt my happiness beginning to fade. You see, I was used to attending another camp. However, since I really wanted to participate in a summer-school art program at home, I wasn't able to sign up for my usual camp's longer CIT session. So I did my research before choosing a different camp: I'd spent quite some time at this new camp's website, bought a DVD showing highlights from the previous summer, and finally made the decision to go for their shorter CIT session.

Now here I was, faced with a new routine, and so many things were different. I started comparing—which I'd learned is one of the four elements of "C4," an explosive, and also a "mental explosive." (The other three elements—besides comparing—are criticizing, complaining, and condemning.) I remember calling a Christian Science practitioner about the idea of lost opportunities. By not going to my usual camp, it felt like I was missing out on so many things that I knew the CITs did there each summer. This included the CIT trip and project, both of which I'd been looking forward to for several years.

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