Taco Tuesday and other Tidbits

For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Ben Kenna.  I am the newest full time member here at Alpine having started last August.  My main responsibility during the off season is to travel the southeast meeting, interviewing, and recruiting the best guys to come be counselors for the summer.  Glenn and I spend a great deal of time praying over our hiring decisions and they are definitely not easy ones to make.

I grew up in the small town of Forest, MS and attended Mississippi State, which is where I first really found out about Alpine.  Several of my friends encouraged me to interview and apply.  Little did I know how big of an impact Alpine would have on me, even as a counselor, and that I would still be here seven years later.  Throughout my time here at Alpine, I’ve spent summers serving as Counselor, Head Counselor, and even Team Random.  I mention all of that to say I have worked with some incredible guys over the years who are now doing great things.  They guys I continue to look up to, and who have made a difference in my life.  When I interview someone, I look to see if that person possesses some of the same top notch qualities those guys had.  I want to know if they exhibit love and joy, peace and patience, and the rest of the fruits of the spirit.  It is quite clear our Heavenly Father has raised up this group of counselors this summer and called them to serve these boys.

Enough about me.  I know you really just want to know what’s happening at camp.  Today, for the most part, was a “normal” day at camp.  I only say it was “normal” because it seems as if camp calendar is filled with so many “abnormal” days, the days with a special event, that they outnumber the normal days.  Today started with the delicious breakfast everyone loves most, Bacon & French Toast.  Afterwards we began the second cycle through our 11 period rotation.  It was fun getting to walk around camp and watch the boys build upon the skills they picked up during their first time at an activity.

I especially loved getting to watch one camper in particular at Mountain Biking.  At first he didn’t feel too comfortable riding, much less switching gears and riding over obstacles.  I stood by and watched one of the Mountain Biking instructors spend some extra time with him, teaching and showing him how to shift gears, how to approach an obstacle, and guiding him through the course.  The camper then completed the obstacle course and came back with the biggest smile on his face and quickly hopped in line to do it again.

Dinner tonight was special as it was Taco Night.  Twice a week we have Hamburger and Taco Night.  These nights are special because it gives us a chance to eat picnic style outside the Dining Hall.  Everyone is served in the Taco line buffet style.  It’s fun to watch boys come out of the line with plates filled high with chips and meat, rice, tomatoes and lettuce, cheese, salsa, and sour cream.  I love watching counselors sitting and eating with their boys as they enjoy their meal with laughter and sharing stories from the day.

That’s it for now.  Thanks for reading and allowing me to pinch hit for Glenn,

Ben