Things don't always go as planned.

The past weekend I led a group of junior higher's up to Hume Lake for winter camp. Things were going great.  The pre-registration went well.  The number of those attending was right where it needed to be.  The leaders were all in place, pumped and ready to go.  Everything was going smooth and I was just going through the motions.

The day before we were going to leave there was the normal drama.  Late applicants, drop-outs and a leader getting hurt and not being able to go. Everything was still cool and this was to be expected.  After all, I was a veteran and had planned ahead for situations just as these.

The day of our departure had come and there was nothing but the normal anxiety and anticipation before camp.  Everyone was on time getting on the bus and there were no last minute distractions.  During the bus ride all I could think about was how cool and easy this weekend was going to be.

I thought I would be able to hangout in the coffee shop, read some books for my up coming classes, and help orchestrate a replay and keep intact the dynasty TCC had begun the year prior.  Let me explain; the previous year my kids had won both the boys and girls broom hockey tournaments, the Bob Sled Blitz--the "Glorious Mail Box", and come close in many other tournaments.  My ego was soaring on that bus ride up the mountain.

As we came around the final bend approaching the entrance to the camp my ego along with many other things fell through the floor-board of the bus.  The camp was dark and the office was closed.  I had half expected a band waiting to greet the oncoming conquerors of Hume, but there was nothing.  I tried to calm my fears, but my mind began to race and filter through all the planning and prep to make sure everything was right--I could think of nothing that was wrong.

I tried to act like nothing was wrong and I prayed no one be able to see the utter horror on my face as I stepped off the bus to check our group in.  I walked up to the office noticing from a long way off that there was no there and a closed sign kept catching my eye making my heart race faster.  I kept telling myself that this must be a mistake or and oversight on their part.  As I walked around for about a half hour my deepest fears began to be realized and I kept asking myself two questions, something was wrong and is this the right weekend?

(to be continued)