Brazil Camp - Pronto by Isaac Nelson

6am and the sun has risen on the first day of camp and some of the campers are already up and getting ready for the day. I am awake but still in my hammock under the thatched roof hut in which our dorm was in; just enjoying the beginning of the day. Listening to the various sounds of the environment around me, dogs barking, different types of unknown birds chirping, little ones laughing and giggling, the stammering of flip flops as young campers run past our dorm, and the clanging of dishes and cookware in the kitchen a few feet away I was in a state contentment that I hadn’t experienced in sometime.

After being pleasantly awakened, eaten breakfast, and had our first compass check, the campers looked uncertain. Uncertain of what to expect next, but you could still see their excitement and readiness. We started the field game activities with kick ball. This took some time to explain the game play with the language barrier and just Mr.de Campos translating all the rules of the game. A short time later we had decided to get the game started. We split the teams evenly and showed them positioning in the outfield and infield. One of the younger girls was one of the first to be up to kick. I ask her “Pronto” (Which is ready in Portuguese), she replies with a simple head nod. I then roll the ball to her not knowing what to expect. She runs toward the ball, cocks her leg back and slam! She smashes the ball right over my head and into deep right field. I throw my hands in the air and holler out a loud yea!!! I then look around at the outfield and the onlookers and they are all doing the same and cheering for the little camper. I could now see the enthusiasm, animation, and excitement on all their faces. I knew from this point when that ball whooshed by my head that this was going to be an amazing camp and an incredible life experience for us all. And indeed it was!