We don’t take responsibility lightly
Taking responsibility for others peoples children, especially overnight camping is no easy task.
You think of every eventuality, cover every corner, predict what may or may not happen. You watch the weather like a hawk. You think of details that might make others bawk.
You learn, let’s be honest, pretty intimate information about a child: their routine, their medication, what makes them tick, or what makes them sick. Over time, we get to know their little nuances, what they’re like when they’re nervous, anxious, excited, scared, happy and just chilled.
We learn so much about them, we discuss support that may be required. We plan for every eventuality.
We comfort them when they’re feeling funky. When they miss home. We support them when they’ve grazed a knee. Bumped a head. Or eaten too much food.
We support them when they want to climb higher. When they use tools to make something new. We help them build a bridge. We’re nearby when they may fall.
Doing this has been a dream for me for a very long time. As I lay down, when the last child has stopped giggling, I wait an hour to make sure they’re all good. I hear a few noises. A couple of snores, tosses and turns. I read for a bit. I start to drift off.
I hear a patter of feet… “Matttt, I need a wee.”
Ziiiip the long tent zip opens, the noise you try to keep quiet to not wake another. Off we go, across the field. I wait as they go. We trundle on back. Down they sleep. Awake I lay, making sure they’re good.
To bed I finally retreat. A yawn of weary proportions.
I started to doze off before…. Ziiiiiiiiip another wakes and just needs some reassurance that everything’s going to be ok. We mountain breathe. Myself not trying to freak out at the shadow of what was one of the tarps we set up earlier in the day. Must remember it’s there next time.
They go back down and soon drift off to a deep sleep. I wait, make sure they’re finally good.
Two hours before the next one wakes…
I wake early for a peaceful fire brewed coffee. One wakes, comes to chat next to me (with their own morning hot choc). We chat for an hour before the rest begin to wake. It’s beautiful. I feel honoured in this moment.
You see, we don’t take lightly this responsibility. It’s not a competition. It’s not who could do it better. It’s about the kids. It’s always been about the kids. It’s making sure they feel safe. It’s making sure they are safe.
And to be their dependable other, when their parents have entrusted them into our care, is not something we take lightly. We are there, whenever they may need. However they may need. For whatever reason, it doesn’t matter.
Supporting them find themselves as mini hoomans, is all that really matters.
And I couldn’t be more proud of every single kid that’s been with us in the woods this last week. They continue to teach us so much