Now in its fifth full year, STRIVE – CALM’s one-on-one
mentoring program for high school boys – has settled into a predictable rhythm:
training new mentors and recruiting new students in August, kicking the school
year off with a cookout in September, having an overnight retreat for all
students and mentors in October, going on a college visit on Election Day, and
a throwing a party to celebrate the students’ successes in December. In between, students meet with their mentors
on a weekly basis and talk about life: hopes for the future, present
challenges, current goals and the steps to reach them, what it means to follow
Jesus, family issues, etc. All of this
and more are an effort to support the boys throughout high school, to see them
graduate, go on to college or career, and become responsible and productive
adults who support their families and themselves.
This year’s student-mentor retreat occurred October
14-15. Originally the idea of a STRIVE
mentor four years ago, the semiannual retreat continues to be a popular
activity where participants and volunteers strengthen their bonds and make lasting
memories. As has become our custom, we
loaded up the minibus on Friday evening for the half-hour jaunt to idyllic WatermarksCamp in Scottsville, arriving just in time for dinner. This year we brought eight students, four
mentors, and for the first time, a guest speaker. After dinner and some free time, mentor and Trinity
Presbyterian Church Pastoral Resident DJ Carter led the group in a devotional
on John 3:16. The group then engaged in
friendly competition in a series of field games, before concluding the evening
making s’mores around a fire pit.
Saturday morning began with breakfast, followed by an
exercise in communication led by author, trainer, and former CALM employee
Eddie Howard. Afterward, students and
mentors separated for breakout sessions. Inspired by a sermon by Geoff Maurer from Christ Community Church, I talked with the boys about
responsible use of technology. Using 1 Corinthians 7:29-31 as a base (“those who use the things of the world, as
if not engrossed in them”), I noted that Americans spend an average of
10.5 hours per day looking at screens. All (myself included) admitted to struggling with this, and we discussed
practical steps to keep God at the forefront of our minds. One student shared that he keeps his devotional
bible on his dresser next to his lotion, so he always remembers to do his daily
reading after his morning shower.
Meanwhile, Eddie spoke with mentors about how to connect
with their students, build trust, nurture them, and empower them. The mentors asked questions like how to talk about
potentially painful family situations (e.g. absentee fathers) with their
students. Speaking from a wealth of
experience and wisdom, Eddie responded that many young men are just waiting for
someone to ask them about their pain, which is why it’s crucial for mentors to
develop a close relationship with their student. Doing so allows mentors to broach delicate
but important subjects, supporting their student not just physically, but
emotionally as well.
Following a hearty lunch and more free time, the students
and mentors engaged in a spirited battle of paintball. Some were first timers, some were veterans,
but all enjoyed themselves in games like Capture the Flag and Zombie
Apocalypse. All good things must come to
an end though, so after cleaning our weapons, we gathered lakeside, took photos
to commemorate the weekend, and boarded the bus home.
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| Back Row, from Left: Javier, Richard, Appiton, Jerry, Dylan. Front Row: Majestic, Telik, Cardale, Cameron, Donshea. |
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