Maddie Morales, age 16
Cabin: Shorewood

This year on the Challenge, I relied on God many times. One way that this showed was in the form of infinite supply. Before going on the trip, we talked about the fact that God is the source of all of our happiness and energy, and that there is an infinite supply of these. When we first came in and were carrying all of our stuff, there were aggressive suggestions that I was tired and could not go any further. When I remembered where my strength was actually coming from, I had no problems going forward.

Another time this infinite supply and guidance came was on Thursday night, when we were making our table. We were in a pinch for time, and we needed more logs for the structures. We were facing a problem, as it seemed that all of the logs and usable wood were rotten. After searching for a long time, I really wanted to give up. But I took a moment to realize that God would supply me with everything I needed at that moment. Right then, I found a huge fallen tree that we used for three different parts of the table. I was so grateful for this.

On the Challenge, I learned many things, but none quite as important as knowing that God will supply me with everything that I need and more. The Challenge is an amazing opportunity to practice Christian Science and learn more about God.

Elsa Bruno, age 14
Cabin: Breezeway
Counselor: Diane Davis

The Challenge lived up to its name. It was extremely difficult in many aspects. However, the love and compassion on both teams shone through the darkness. Everyone on the Sand team would support each other with kind words, a gentle hand, a sacrificed hour of sleep. This continual love kept everyone uplifted.

Additionally, much love for the opposing team was expressed. There was a mutual respect for the other team- we were both in the same boat. Whenever I was captured and brought to jail after an attempt to get the flag, the Pine team would congratulate me on my attempt, and ask me if I was hurt in any way in the process of being captured. To have love for the team you are trying to defeat was amazing.

Even though the Challenge was the most difficult thing I have done in my whole life, I am glad to have experienced such a unique gathering - and I realize how grateful I am for what I have.

Abby Harraden, age 15
Cabin: Breezeway
Counselor: Diane Davis

This past week at camp, 25 other women and I got the opportunity of a lifetime- participating in the 2007 Challenge. In preparation for our 4 day adventure in the woods, each of us received a slip of paper with a word or a quality on it. As part of our Challenge, we needed to come up with quotes and figure out how that idea would be playing an active role in our life on our upcoming endeavor.

My words were ego (with a little “e”) and humility. Having worked with Ego (with the big “E”) the previous summer, it helped strengthen me through knowing that God’s Ego and my own were one harmonious unit. Little “e” ego, on the other hand, talked about material desires and how to overcome them. What struck me the most, however, was humility. How could we all be leaders, with grace?

This question had a great spin on it when one of the judges said Gratitude- Gratitude for the growth, patience, and the ability to know that God helped you to complete a task and by being truly and sincerely thankful. Over the course of the week, there were unceasing moments of gratitude to God for all of the amazing unfoldments on this trip, endless chances to be grateful. I am personally grateful for both of the teams, our judges, this tradition, and God’s ever-present love and guidance as we built our home in the woods.

Michael Wise, age 14
Cabin: Iroquois
Counselor: Ben Mason and Fred Morrison

Although this year’s Backwoodsman Flag Trip was not the North team against the South team, everyone kept a competitive mindset and played their hardest. The cabins of Barbados, Sea Hornet, Ojibwa, and Iroquois went on an overnight trip that showed great sportsmanship, fairness and determination.

The thing that I love about the flag trip is that whenever someone gets tackled, there is always somebody else to help him go and give encouragement. On the trip I got a flag and had numerous tackles. The teams were “Beauty” and “Beast,” instead of North and South. In the end, the “Beasts” won by 7 flags.

Afterwards, it was great to hear that everyone had a different highlight of the trip, and everyone had someone else to thank for their great time. I had a lot of fun and I am grateful that I was able to go on the trip again this year. I believe that it has helped to prepare me for possibly going on the Senior Flag trip a year from now, and I hope that I can take the life-lessons I learned on the Backwoodsman Flag Trip and apply them to real life.