We have a very special treat to share with you this month from our beloved Monay Farrington! Not only is she a brilliant and dedicated GPCSL Board member, she is also the mother of one of our precious teens, Myla, and a teen advisor. She and her daughter recently attended the CSL Teen Camp together. Monay’s heartfelt account of her experience attending the camp last month is so immersive, I felt like I was there…and I loved ‘being’ there as I read it!
Heartwarming, inspiring, funny, just like its author, this is a must read! You’ll learn about Monay and her teen “family’s” experience of transformative workshops, breakthrough moments – releasing false beliefs and remembering their Truth, embracing peace and unity!!! Such a beautiful sharing – thank you Monay!!! ~ Edie Janik, GPCSL Board President
What I Learned at Teen Camp As a 43-Year-Old
By: Monay N. Farrington
Around the beginning of this year, I made a deliberate choice to be open to attending some form of spiritual retreat or conference. Never could I have imagined that spiritual retreat would come in the form of CSL Teen Summer Camp! “Sitting on the bus as we pulled into the camp, I thought to myself, ‘OK? Am I ready for this? This trip cost a small fortune. Will it all be worth it?’ I gave myself a pep talk, took a deep breath, and then finally stepped off that bus. ‘Alright, here we go,’ I thought to myself.”
Right after I hopped off the bus and caught sight of the cabins in the distance, a familiar feeling washed over me – reminiscent of my teenage days when I arrived at a Christian camp. However, as I turned to face the person in front of me, reality hit me like a jolt. One camp counselor had striking green hair, and the other sported a bright dangling earring, perhaps a peace sign, though I couldn’t be certain. What I can say for sure is that this guy had an impressive collection of the coolest earrings. Each day, he wore a different one, never repeating the same style. So yeah, this was a far cry from my experience at the Christian camp.
The first thing we did upon arrival was to check in our medications with the nurse. It was also the first time I tackled “THE” hill. Although it was difficult to walk up to the top, man, oh man, the view from up there—beautiful views into a valley during the day and a crystal clear view of the stars and moon at night—was just mesmerizing. Every time I walked up that hill, I said to myself, “This hill will not defeat me,” and don’t you know, by the end of the week, I conquered that hill! Anyway, as I made my way back to the welcome table, I spotted Myla, my 15-year-old daughter, in tears. She had just found out that we wouldn’t be in the same cabin or family group. With watery eyes, she looked up at me and said, “We flew all the way across the country, and we won’t even be together.” The rest of the GPCSL crew and I managed to soothe her nerves, but as you can imagine, we were all practically inseparable during those initial days. We had all our meals together and sat side by side in the tented barn. Whenever we gathered as a group, we stuck together.
Now, let’s move on to the schedule. Everything at camp followed a well-organized structure. Bright and early each morning, the first order of business was to gather at the main basketball courts for the “Great Awake”. Everyone, campers, and advisors alike, joined in for a fun and invigorating activity that brought us together as a spirited group. It was the perfect way to kickstart our day with a burst of enthusiasm and camaraderie! Usually, it was a physical activity to get our blood circulating on those chilly mornings. After that, we would head to the dining hall for breakfast, which turned out to be quite enjoyable. Honestly, almost all the food at camp was surprisingly delicious! Back home, I hardly ever eat eggs, but at camp, I found myself regularly enjoying scrambled eggs, and to make it even better, I’d add ketchup or salsa for an extra kick. It was like being on a vacation from my usual picky eating habits.
After breakfast, the campers would meet up at the tented barn, and the advisors would have a meeting to discuss the day’s events. The meetings were jam packed with loads of information and served as the perfect time for us to gather all the supplies needed for the day’s activities. I got selected as the supply’s person for my family, so that was an intimidating but fun responsibility. A family is a group that includes advisors and teens of all genders, and in my case, our family group had three advisors and five awesome campers. It was a fun crew to be with! Following the advisory meeting each day, we gathered with the teens in the tented barn as a large group. We danced and sang to some lively and uplifting music, followed by insightful talks from a couple of speakers, who were usually advisors. They shared their experiences of using Religious Science teachings to navigate the outside world. After that, we would divide into our family groups and engage in the day’s first workshop. Following lunch, it was “You Time,” designated for quietness, meditation, and contemplation. Afterward, we participated in another workshop, had dinner, and then reconvened for group singing in the tented barn. Later, we enjoyed a camp-wide activity before moving on to Night Light—a calming reflection on the day’s events where campers shared their perspectives on what peace means to them with the group. So, for example, my Night Light reflection on the first night could’ve been, “Peace to me is getting some sleep after being awake for almost 24 hours,” and then everyone would snap their fingers in agreement, kind of like how people do at poetry readings.
On the first full day, we completed a workshop called “I Spy Childlike Wonder,” and the purpose of the workshop was to reawaken and strengthen the childlike wonder in us. A quote from the Science of Mind textbook states, “We must become as little children. How we long for a return of that simple trust in life which children have… The life of the child is lived in natural goodness.” The activity involved playing a game of “I spy,” followed by an engaging discussion. The conversation kicked off with a thought-provoking question: “What is something you used to believe in that you no longer believe? And what childhood beliefs do you still hold, and do you find value in them?” The teens answered with remarkable poise, making the discussion even more compelling. After the discussion, we played a version of “follow the leader,” and the leader would guide the rest of the group to find something wondrous, which, of course, would be different for everyone. I immediately knew what my thing would be, and that was to hug a tree. For a while now, I’ve dreamt of hugging a Sequoia tree, well, this tree wasn’t a Sequoia, but it was still a tree worth hugging. So, I asked my group to hug the tree and say something nice, one positive thing we were grateful to Mother Nature for, and you know what? Each person did it, and only one verbalized their awkwardness. It was at that moment I knew I had found my people! During my initial visit to the Greater Philadelphia Center for Spiritual Living, I’d felt an immediate sense of belonging, and now, here I was experiencing the same feeling at CSL Teen Camp.
The theme for this year’s camp was “Keep Dreaming Forward.” As a result, all the workshops centered around recognizing and advancing one’s dreams, and understanding what it takes to align oneself with the realization of those dreams. The workshops were a delightful blend of fun and thought-provoking activities. They provided us with an opportunity to delve into our inner thoughts, awaken our unconscious minds and question the depths of our subconscious. The members of our family all helped to create a safe space in which we could freely express our thoughts and be vulnerable.
As the week progressed, and our walls started to come down, I felt the mental and spiritual work get deeper. I found myself intentionally being vulnerable with my family because I felt that the teens really appreciated it when I kept it real with them. I wanted to show them that adults don’t have all the answers, we have insecurities too, and we’re doing our best to use acquired tools to get through life, just like them. By the end of the week, my emotions were raw, as were most everyone’s. The camp did such a great job of providing mental health resources to those who needed them, and there was a true sense of support from everyone. We were all in this together, learning, stretching, and growing spiritually. The experience was as potent as you made it, and I was all in. During the entire week, we engaged in various activities, including walking a Labyrinth. It was a remarkable sight to witness the teens calmly going within and truly experiencing the power of that space. Even for those who may not have been feeling it as deeply, they still showed respect and maintained a quiet demeanor. Walking the labyrinth left an indelible mark on me, and one particular image remains etched in my mind: the sight of the smallest camper sitting on a bench in a meditative pose, facing a magnificent mossy pine at the heart of the labyrinth. Despite his small stature, he radiated a sense of mightiness, much like the majestic pine he prayed in front of. Observing this awe-inspiring scene filled me with wonder, and throughout my journey, I encountered numerous other moments of deep appreciation and reflection.
We had a guest Native American speaker and accompanying flautist talk to us about the Native American culture and then led a discussion about culture and diversity. The magnificent scenery heightened the already moving experience. The campgrounds boasted beautiful open fields, an outdoor theatre called the “tree cathedral,” and an open reception area in the woods, complete with an open-faced barn that was adorned with a barn star and hanging lights. In another workshop, we vision boarded, and in another, we learned that rest is self-care and it’s ok and then laid down on the grass and rested for about 10 minutes, and in another workshop, we tie-dyed and used it as a lesson about change. We even slid down a giant slide and used it to represent a breakthrough from the things that no longer serve us and having the courage to reaffirm something new.
By the time we reached our last full day of camp, so many things had changed. The GPCSL teens had spread their wings and were no longer sitting with me during meals. They made new friends and were displaying their independence. On that last full day, as we were walking into the tented barn, a seasoned advisor asked me if I’d return, and I hesitated and said “oh, ehhhh, hmmm, maybeeee?” I was missing my home comforts more than ever, but I was still having a great time, albeit emotionally raw from all of the inner work. We sat down to participate in a camp-wide activity called Free Expression, and everything changed. The campers took turns stepping up to the mic and talking about their experiences at camp and what the camp experience meant to them. First, the teen leaders spoke, then the teens, and then the advisors. The words spoken by some of those teens will remain etched in my heart for the rest of my life. They shared stories of the challenges they faced at home, where fear and threats of violence forced them to hide their true selves. However, at teen camp, they found acceptance and were able to openly identify as they/them. Others bravely spoke about their struggles with suicidal thoughts or attempts, expressing their gratitude for being given another chance at life. Teen camp became a sanctuary where they felt genuine happiness and inner peace, possibly for the first time in a long time. In heart-wrenching honesty, some teens disclosed the number of days since they last self-harmed or abused drugs. Teen camp became the source of hope and motivation they needed to break free from these harmful habits. Moreover, there were those who shared the sorrowful reality of losing friends to gun violence, friends who never made it to camp. These profound testimonies opened my eyes to the immense impact a supportive and nurturing environment like teen camp can have on young lives, providing a haven for healing, growth, and resilience. Once again, I was in awe of how vulnerable and strong these teens were. Observing some of them, you wouldn’t imagine they had faced a challenging day in their lives. However, when I heard their stories, it was utterly shocking. My love and appreciation for each and every one of them grew exponentially. Their depth and unwavering determination were truly remarkable. I couldn’t resist making a brief speech to express my admiration, urging them to keep going and never give up. I emphasized that they were light-years ahead of where my generation was at their age. In that moment, standing before them, it became clear to me that we must protect this space at all costs. CSL had created a sacred haven in a tiny Oregonian town nestled within the mountains. It was a place where these exceptional young individuals found support and understanding, a place that had the power to transform lives and nurture growth.
As that last day progressed, it got sweeter and sweeter. During an intermission break at the big dance, my heart swelled with joy as I witnessed one of my family teens being elected as a teen leader (calling me beyond ecstatic for her would be an understatement). After the dance concluded, we gathered for the closing ceremony, providing us with one final chance to connect as a large group. Unsure of what to expect, I approached the ceremony with an open mind, having moved beyond my raw feelings and embracing joyful expectance. The night turned out to be an emotional whirlwind, touching everyone’s hearts. In one of the activities, I experienced what I can only describe as a breakthrough moment. Over time, I’ve grappled with feelings of unworthiness, and during a particular activity in the closing ceremony, I witnessed how those emotions manifested in my life in real-time. At that moment, I couldn’t ignore or suppress these feelings any longer; I had to confront them head-on, and it was an intense experience.
One of the activities involved a demonstration of appreciation, and to my surprise, it evoked strong emotions within me. Just when I thought the night’s activities had reached their peak and I couldn’t delve any deeper, the next exercise took me by surprise. It brought me full circle, leading me once again to confront my feelings of unworthiness. However, this time, I felt a sense of peace surrounding me as I embraced the experience. Over the course of the night, I found myself entering into a state of joyful anticipation, willingly becoming a vessel to receive what I’d call a divine download. In this state, I allowed myself to be fully open and receptive, letting the presence of God flow through me. I felt in complete alignment, becoming one with the Divine. The experience was incredibly beautiful and fulfilling, and I feel immensely grateful to have had such a profound encounter. The night had an impact on mostly everyone, with tears of joy and emotions filling the air. Every person present wholeheartedly gave of themselves, making it a truly unforgettable and heartfelt moment, and for those who chose not to participate, that was perfectly okay as well. One of the beautiful aspects of camp was its acceptance and understanding – it met you where you were, respecting your feelings and choices without judgment.
Since returning home from camp, not a day has passed without thoughts of camp crossing my mind, and these memories make my heart smile. Whether it’s hearing a song on the radio that one of the campers sang or watching a weather report that reminds me of a camper’s geology lesson they gave for their talent show performance. Even during last Sunday’s celebration when “Lean On Me” was played, memories of all the campers singing it together during morning group flooded back to me. And that’s not all – I’ve even applied a lesson learned at camp in my everyday life. When I recently attended a concert of my favorite band, I remembered to dance like no one was watching, staying true to what was in my heart, just as camp had taught me. These memories and experiences from camp continue to inspire and shape my life, reminding me of the profound impact it had on me and I am eternally grateful.
CSL Teen Camp in Vernonia, Oregon, is a special place. A place that everyone should have the opportunity to visit, regardless of age. Experiencing the camaraderie among the teens, especially those who might not have crossed paths in the “real world,” was an exquisite and heartwarming treat. At camp, diversity was celebrated, and the acceptance and inclusivity were truly beautiful. Everyone was wholeheartedly embraced for who they were. To help facilitate respect and understanding, we all wore name tags with buttons or stickers that displayed our preferred pronouns. This simple gesture created an environment where everyone made an effort to honor and respect each other’s identities and individuality. It was a testament to the power of love, acceptance, and genuine connection that flourished within the camp community. CSL has truly crafted a safe haven where each person finds their place, regardless of how unique they may appear. In this space of love and light, we came together to uplift and support each other, inspiring one another to live our fullest and most meaningful lives. Some might find this a bit hippie or even perceive it as somewhat cultish, but the truth is undeniable—teen camp was a transformative experience, not only for me but also for the young members of GPCSL. It brought about profound changes that continue to shape and enrich our lives.
So, what did I learn at CSL Teen Camp as a 43-year-old? I learned that there is always something to learn. I came to appreciate that the impact of genuine connections and positive influence that we can have on each other’s lives should never be underestimated. That the way I present myself to the world holds significance because I am valuable – I am seen. Lastly, I find solace in the knowing that God surrounds me and resides within me, and by remaining open and aware, I can feel my connection to my Source at any time and in any place.
If you were to ask me today if I would return to Teen Camp, my answer would be a resounding “YES!”, because being a part of those teens’ stories was a genuine honor and a blessing, and I found incredible fulfillment in being impactful and impacted.
So, I’d like to end this story as if I’m at “Night Light, and say, “Peace to me is knowing that CSL Teen Camp exists, knowing it’s a sanctuary where acceptance, growth, and transformation come together, creating a haven of love and understanding. And so it is!”
You can go ahead and snap your fingers now…