I never thought I would get sunburned at a journalism camp. However, on the first day I arrived I was quickly proven wrong. When signing up for the High School Journalism Institute I was expecting an air conditioned office building and long lectures on how to become a better journalist.
To my surprise, I would be putting on a harness to participate in a rope challenge course at least 30 feet off the ground. When the 17 other young journalists and I arrived at the challenge course we stared in suspense at the tightropes, suspended bridges and zip line. Never have I ever seen such an intimidating team bonding activity.
Introductions started out tame, icebreakers and name games, but soon our time would come to scale the obstacle course. The instructors brought out the harnesses, helmets, and C hooks. Some opted to sit out of the entire activity, while most began to prepare.
I pulled on the harness and fashioned the helmet snuggly to my head. I was sure my heart was going to explode just looking at the challenge ahead of us. First we were given the option to climb a large pole and jump off to grab a trapeze bar (of course while attached to a safety rope).
Students volunteered to test their bravery; the amount of support I witnessed from peers as students climbed and jumped, whom they have only known for a few hours, was truly beautiful. Eventually it was time to start the course. I stood in the back of the line, anxiously waiting.
Once my turn finally came, I climbed the ladder, hooked myself to the safety cord, and stood there for a moment. The camp assistant holding the ladder in place encouraged me that I could do it, but I proceeded to climb down in defeat. To my left, I spotted another student.
I asked her if she was going to go up and she admitted that she climbed up the ladder just to come back down as well. That is how we formed the “ladder club”: students who at least climbed the ladder. Friendships form in some of the silliest ways.
Only on my first day here I have made connections that I believe I will bring into my adult life. I can’t wait for tomorrow..
