You see, April is an enthusiastic 18 year old (just finished her first year of college at UW-Eau Claire on the Dean's List) who loves the outdoors (she's a lot like her momma). She decided that it would be fun to be a camp counselor this summer, so she put in several applications around the state. Being the open minded, educated individual that she is, she never gave a second thought to applying at a Catholic Camp. And, I'm sure that there are laws regulating the sorts of questions they could ask her during the interview... one being her religious affiliation. Assuming that only Catholics would apply for work at a Catholic camp... Boom, she was hired!
Lifeguard certification in hand, she excitedly arrived at camp for 2 weeks of training on a sunny Tuesday afternoon. She was assigned to teach canoeing, kayaking, swimming, and even got to help out with the horses. Meeting so many new friends... other counselors from around the world, she jumped right in with both feet. Then came Sunday... mass.
April had never been to a Catholic mass before so you talk about culture shock! I had not even given this a second thought... that she would be attending mass at camp... or I would have explained to her what to expect, having practiced Catholicism for several years during my youth. She called me that night, in her usual bubbly mood, laughing about how she didn't know what to do when during the service (lots of rote sayings and movements), but that her friends were all tutoring her in the art of Catholic worship rituals. They, of course, were overwhelmed with surprise to find out that she wasn't even Catholic! Alas, she was able to keep her job at Camp WeHaKee (Winter, Wisconsin) which became as much of a learning experience for her as it was for the campers!
April was an outstanding member of our staff team at WeHaKee. Yes, we are owned and operated by a Catholic order of Sisters (Sinsinawa Dominicans) but since 1923 the camp has been open & welcoming to all girls. This past summer we had 2 girls of the Muslim faith and one of the Buddhist faith. And yes, we all go to Mass together - not as an indoctrination or conversion attempt, rather as an opportunity to share. April embodies the values and respect for one another that we expect of all of our staff. We wish her well and if she were to choose to return, she would be welcomed back to the WeHaKee community with open arms. Thanks for sharing your amazing daughter with us!
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