New Horizons

Chapter 2

What I hadn't counted on when Justin started singing was the fact that his part of our worship service was just that - only part. Even though Justin sang for 45 minutes, New Horizons had their own pastor who got up to speak right after Justin finished. We all sat on the floor of the amphitheater while he spoke.

"Take for example this flashlight," Pastor Tom said. "It works right now because it's filled with the right things. But what would happen if we put some of the wrong things in there?" he asked. He turned the flashlight off and opened it. After he dumped out the batteries he held up a pack of cigarettes. "Do you think this flashlight will work when I put these inside?"

I sighed and wondered how many flashlights he'd broken by stuffing them full of cigarettes, condoms, and yes, he poured an entire beer in there. Obviously it didn't work without the batteries. Were we supposed to be impressed?

Pastor Tom went on about not filling our lives with the wrong kinds of things for a while. I sat there trying not to hate my parents for thinking this was going to change me. Instead I wondered how much money they were spending on keeping me at camp all summer and tried to imagine what else I'd rather do with all that money.

The worship service ended and everyone started leaving. I followed the girls from my cabin out of the worship hall and back to our cabin. It was still light out which made me wonder what time it was and then what we would do until bedtime. I didn't have to wait long for an answer.

"I know you all know our rules here but we have to go over them one more time," Amber, our cabin counselor said. "Okay, so, the obvious. No drinking, no drugs, and unless you're 18, no smoking. Even then, we really, really don't want you to smoke while you're here unless you have to."

"I'm not 18," I said, since she was obviously talking to me.

"Good, then we have the other rules. No boys in the girls cabins, no girls in the boys cabins. No going in any of the staff areas or off limits areas ever, and no leaving camp boundaries for any reason. Those are all clearly marked so no excuses," Amber said. "You have to be at worship, small group study, cabin bible study, and one to ones every day."

"One to ones?" I whispered to Katie. She waved her hand at me like she really, really wanted to hear what Amber was saving. I figured it had to be kind of like everything else on the list- something to do with studying the bible.

"Basically, the only time you can be away from an activity is during free time," Amber said. "Then there are the behavior rules. We don't swear, we don't gossip, we try to keep a positive, uplifting attitude at all times."

Someone, I don't know who, nudged me. I looked around but I couldn't tell who it was. We were all standing so close together it could have been anyone.

"And now the hard part," Amber smiled. "I know what it's like, but remember to be careful when you're around the boys. Some people here have made purity pledges and we want camp to be a safe place where they're not tempted. Be thoughtful how you dress and act. I know when you're around all these guys who are such good Christian boys it's hard not to fall for them but don't put yourself in a place where you'll let things go too far. Obviously we know you should never be alone with a boy but also don't do anything you should be alone to do - does that make sense?" Amber asked. "I mean, we've had things happen here between a girl and a boy that should be private things but there were other people in the room because they didn't want to break the rules. Don't be like that, okay? It's gross."

"They're not going to make a no bikini rule, are they?" Ashleigh asked. "Last summer they were talking about it."

"No, we voted against that," Amber shook her head. "But just remember to be aware of how you're acting when you're in a bathing suit. Don't be trashy and we'll all be fine. Does anyone have any questions?"