Page 9 of Kayak Girl
“So, the basic run of the day is group games, snack, leader/kid games, a Bible talk, and small groups. I see you got involved with the first half of the leader/kid games. Don’t worry, you can get your revenge soon. You’ll co-lead with Gray. For today, just have fun and follow his lead.”
“Awesome, thanks, Amy,” Elle said.
Amy’s decision to integrate Elle, a complete outsider, into our team—and to pair her with me, no less—set off internal alarms I couldn’t ignore. Intrigued as I might have been by Elle’s vibrant personality, the risks of disrupting our carefully orchestrated routine loomed large in my mind. I needed to address this, and fast.
“Um, Amy, could I have a word with you for a second?” I asked, my voice steady but firm. We stepped away, heading toward the admin tent, a space that felt like neutral ground for such discussions.
Once assured of our privacy, I let my concerns spill out. “What are you thinking, letting Elle join the summer camp?” I couldn’t mask my indignation.
Amy’s response was calm, almost too calm. “I know it’s not our usual practice, but Elle’s paperwork checks out, and we need the help with Brenda being injured.”
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “There’s a reason we have protocols, Amy. Rules aren’t suggestions; they’re the backbone of order and safety.” My voice was firm, perhaps a bit harsher than I intended, but the gravity of the situation demanded it.
“Well thank you for your input Gray, but my decision stands. I got a glowing report from her pastor in Atlanta and with all her clearances up to date I’m confident she will be a good fit for the role. Besides, she may only be able to help out temporarily. Brenda says she has issues with her van or something.”
“This is a bad idea.”
“If it’s bothering you so much, I can shift things around and pair her with someone else.”
I just stared at Amy lost in thought. Logic screamed at me to agree with Amy’s suggestion, to distance myself from the potential chaos that more time with Elle could bring. Yet, something held me back, an unfamiliar voice whispering against the tide of reason. Before I could marshal my thoughts, I heard myself say, “No, it’s fine. I’ll lead with her.”
Amy eyed me for a moment, her gaze probing. “Okay. I’m trusting you not to scare off the only willing and qualified replacement I have at the moment. Now if you don’t mind, I have the second half of flour tag to commence.”
I nodded and made my way back to Elle. Not what I had in mind, God. Now I would be stuck with her for the mornings. A thought that made me happier than it should. But despite Weston’s concerns, I could handle this. I just had to keep firm boundaries. No touching for sure. It was probably for the best that I was her co-leader, anyway. Participating in this summer camp was like second nature for me so I could easily keep an eye on Elle and ensure she was holding up the mission and values of the camp.
As usual, the rest of the morning went by in a blur of activity. Today’s talk was about the birth of Jesus, and Elle and I led our small group together. Or should I say Elle led the small group, and I watched. The kids were enamored with her and directed most of their questions her way.
“Miss Elle, why was Jesus born in a stable?” little Tobi asked, his eyes wide with wonder. “If He’s so special, shouldn’t He have been born in a castle or something?”
Elle ruffled Tobi’s hair and answered, “You have a point, Tobi! It does seem odd, doesn’t it? But you see, God doesn’t care about fancy things like we do. He’s more interested in our hearts and our relationship with Him. Imagine if Jesus had been born in a castle, surrounded by guards—it would be hard for regular people like us to approach Him, right? So, God chose a simple stable for the birth of Jesus, making everyone feel welcome and at ease when connecting with Him. Besides, fancy things can be distracting, and maybe God wanted us to focus on the love and the message Jesus brought rather than where He was born.”
The way Elle effortlessly responded to the children’s questions amazed me, her genuine faith shining through each answer. Perhaps, I was too quick to judge her? I might owe Amy an apology.
“Miss Elle, how did the wise men know where to find Jesus?” Sam chimed in, raising her hand high.
Elle beamed at her. “What a brilliant question, Sam! They followed this amazing star that God placed in the sky. Isn’t it incredible how God can use even the most unexpected things to draw us closer to Him?”
As the day progressed, I grew increasingly impressed with Elle’s faith and her ability to make it relevant to our young audience. Her enthusiasm inspired a newfound eagerness to deepen my own faith. Maybe that’s why I couldn’t get her out of my head these past few days? God must have put her in my path for a reason. Perhaps the summer camp was it?
Either way, Weston was not going to like this.
After our discussions, Amy gathered everyone together, and we all said our goodbyes.
Elle tapped my shoulder. “Hey, we’re done here, right? I think I’ll head out,” she said, her voice warm and friendly. “Thank you for letting me hang out with you guys, especially with my van causing me so much trouble. I needed a good laugh.”
“If I’m honest, I didn’t think it was a good idea to have you on the team. But I’m willing to admit I was wrong. It was a pleasure having you. Will you be joining us again tomorrow?” I asked, genuinely hoping she would.
“Well, I hope so. I’ve got some issues with my van, and I might need to find a more affordable place to stay elsewhere. I’ll need to sort that out before I can commit to anything. Thanks again, though.” Elle waved and started to walk away.
“Hold on a moment. What’s wrong with your van? What do you mean, ‘accommodation elsewhere’?” I asked, curious.
“I’ve been living in my van, and they’re sending it to a mechanic inland. So, I’ll need to find somewhere else to stay for the next ten days.”
I chuckled. “No kidding! I just dropped my car off at the repair shop on Saturday. I know how you feel. You can always stay at the leader’s hostel. It’s a few dormitories on the campgrounds, about a mile from here. It wouldn’t cost you anything if you’re helping with the camp. That’s what I’m doing while they fix my car. But most of the leaders stay at the hostel for the duration of the summer camp.”
“Brenda mentioned something about free accommodation, but I wasn’t sure what that entailed.”
“You should chat to her about it.”
