Prayer—and safety—in the wilderness
It was the summer opportunity of a lifetime: eight weeks hiking and backpacking across the American West in wilderness regions ranging from deserts to mountains. I would be one of two counselors along with a trip leader guiding twenty teens. We would sleep outside every night, cook our own food, and travel together in a large school bus.
During my interview for this job, the camp directors had voiced a concern. Since I was a Christian Scientist, they wanted to know how I would deal with a camper’s illness or injury. I assured them that I’d readily administer first aid and, if needed, accompany a camper to a hospital. In addition, I told them that my first response in any situation would be to calm the fear. My answers satisfied them, and I was hired.
On our first backpacking trip, the trip leader and my fellow counselor had a similar concern: What if I were injured or became ill on the trip? In remote wilderness areas, there would be no emergency communication or transportation. I answered that I would pray to the best of my ability and, if we were near a phone, contact a Christian Science practitioner for prayer. Then they asked me a harder question: What would I want them to do if I fell and became unconscious?
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