Camp Rock Eagle 2010

Most of you who know me know that I volunteer with 4-H. It is a wonderful organization that has a lot to offer rural and suburban kids. I loved 4-H when I was a kid and I love love love being a 4-H adult leader. In June we went to Rock Eagle for a week. I had 19 fifth grade girls in a cabin with me. They were all lovely and precious. Each girl had such a bright personality and I will hold them all in my heart forever. I even began another facebook page so that I could keep up with all them and have NO overlap with all my restaurant people.


The child that made the largest impact on me that week was not from my cabin or even my county. His name is Trevaris and he is amazing. Trevaris and I ended up on the same string (rotation) of classes one day. As the adult volunteer, my job was to become the caboose and make sure that no child would be left behind. The day I had Trevaris in my string, we quickly became the caboose together.

Trevaris is a very interesting young man. He is outspoken and says exactly what is on his mind. I like that in a kid. Heck, I like that in anyone! Trevaris has a deformity from birth. We didn't discuss it. He is only about 3 feet tall and totally normal from the waist up. From the waist down is another story. Trevaris never complained. When it was time to go, he went. When it was time to dance, boy did Trevaris dance. He didn't know how to swim until we went to camp. The next day he was jumping off the diving board and coming down the water slide. He never asked for any special treatment. He never asked for help. He was all boy and had a great time.


Not only am I so proud of Trevaris and his plucky nature, I am so proud of all the 4-Hers. They regarded him as just another kid, although he was the only kid I saw that had any type of disability. To them, he was Trevaris, just another kid. I learned a lot at camp. I probably learned as much from the kids as they learned from me. In fact, I'm sure of it.

If these kids are any indication of the hands holding our future, I'm not worried. I think they're pretty awesome. Maybe we should go ahead and let them take over.