As soon as thirteen-year-old Fred got out of the van at the climbing site, he said that he wasn't going to climb. His counselor, Sean immediately began telling Fred that they should climb together and that he would encourage him the whole way. Sure enough, all the other kids had climbed and it was time for Fred to get on a rope, Sean immediately got on the rope next to him.  Sean talked Fred through each step of the climb, and he was instrumental in Fred reaching nearly the top of the climb. Then, when it was time for Fred to 'walk' back down the climb, Fred was frozen in fear, not willing to move.  So, Sean encouraged him to lean back into him and he would walk him the whole way down.  Fred was terrified and Sean just kept saying, 'I love you, man, you can trust me.'  Sure enough, Fred sat back into Sean and they walked down the whole way together. What a HUGE accomplishment for this little guy, made possibly completely by Sean and his continual encouragement.  We are so blessed to have an entire team of counselors just like Sean, who love these campers and are willing to do whatever it takes to encourage them.  

Sean helping Fred descend the climb