Made for Community

Day 29 of the 31 for 21 Challenge

Thank you to Kris Mickelson for writing today's blog.

What do Shepherds College students like about Horticulture?

“I love working outside! “ “I like the freedom!”  “I don't mind getting dirty.” “It's fun helping out other people. Besides, you get to get out of class!”

Those were the enthusiastic responses from Sean, Donovan, Daniela and Joe, second-year Horticulture students at Shepherds College. Surprisingly, they didn’t mention the fascinating discoveries they make completing tasks that some might consider mundane.

Maybe by the second year of studies, it comes naturally to spot black tar (a plant disease) on maple leaves, as Daniela called out while raking a long pathway. 

Or to step gingerly around floral beds, so you don’t compress soil and stifle airflow, as Joe did while cutting back overgrown perennials.

I’ve been gardening for decades and was delighted to listen and learn as the students shared their knowledge as they worked. But, I picked up a lot more than fascinating facts by accompanying the Shepherds College Horticulture team, led by lead instructor Mrs. Leslie Leith, on a “fall maintenance clean-up” project at the Holiday Home Camp.

I gained a deeper understanding of one of the four guiding principles of Shepherd’s College mission to help students achieve Appropriate Independence, “We are created as individuals for community”.

Working alongside volunteers (ages 10 to 60+), Shepherd’s College students were a part of the community God brought together to prepare Holiday Home Camp, a 125-year-old summer respite on the shores of Geneva Lake, for next seasons 600+ kids, most living in poverty-stricken urban areas. 

When the SC students stopped for a water break, Holiday Home Camp Office Manager, Stacy Usher, visited with us and explained the camp’s mission:

To provide educational and recreational programming that helps disadvantaged children (ages 7-14) develop the life skills necessary to become self-reliant, productive members of their families, schools and communities.

“Imagine never having the chance to go swimming. The kids come here and we’re 125 steps from one of the deepest and clearest fresh water lakes in Wisconsin,” Mrs. Usher said.

As Daniela and Joe asked a myriad of questions about the campers and programs, Donovan and Sean listened and nodded appreciatively.  Later, as the hard-working students broke out in a sweat under the bright sunshine, I overheard comments that truly warmed my heart.

“I bet they will really appreciate these clean flower beds in the spring,” Daniela commented.  “Wow, nobody would be able to get to the front door of this porch if we hadn’t cleared off all these leaves,” Donovan said. 

As we toured the historic main building, the students tried to imagine what the campers might do in each room.  A long screened and glassed-in porch facing the lake, furnished with white wicker chairs and tables, seemed to be set up for children to play board games. Another large area, with window-darkening curtains and a big-screen TV, was obviously a theater room.

A small room on the second floor was stacked floor to ceiling with gently used children’s clothing organized by size and category. Mrs. Usher explained that many campers arrive without bathing suits or enough clothes for the 8-day stay. “So we bring them here and they ‘go shopping’ for whatever they need. You should see their faces light up!” she said.

Afterward, the work completed, tools cleaned and stowed away, the tired students climbed into the van to rewarding news from Mrs. Leith. They had done such a good job they were invited back for spring planting. Plus, they would bring vegetables to share with the campers and plant flowers at a nursing home (both from the college greenhouse) on future community projects.

The students “yeahed” and high-fived each other appreciatively. I had to agree, hard work is fun when we do it to help others. God makes it that way, because He made us for community.

 “I am going to make you fruitful and increase your numbers. I will make you a community of peoples… “ Gen. 48:4

Special thanks to Walworth Country Volunteer Organizer Colleen Lesniak, Walworth Master Gardener Paul Rausch, and Holiday Home Camp Office Manager and Registrar Stacy Usher for welcoming Shepherd’s College at their fall community project.

 


Shepherds College - Guiding Your Transition to Appropriate Independence. Please visit us at www.shepherdscollege.edu.