At NELA, our mission is to nurture the God-given gifts and talents of every student. By fostering a Christ-centered identity, we empower students to grow in confidence, embrace challenges, and serve others with purpose. Sometimes, the most powerful lessons happen outside the classroom like at Camp Big Horn, where students discover what they are capable of when surrounded by a supportive community.
First Time Away
“I was going to camp, and I was going to be without my mom.”
That’s how one NELA student described the days leading up to his first time away from home. Excited but nervous, he carefully checked his packing list, making sure nothing was forgotten his favorite clothes, toiletries, and even small reminders from home to keep him grounded.
He felt a mixture of excitement and fear: this was his first big adventure away from family. But he wasn’t facing it alone. Teachers, friends, and paraeducators reminded him that he was part of a community that believed in him, giving him courage before he even left the school parking lot.
On the car ride to camp, laughter and conversation helped calm his nerves. He talked with his classmates about what they were looking forward to some were excited for the swimming lake, others for the hiking trails. Sharing the anticipation with familiar faces made him feel supported and ready for the unknown.
Discovering New Experiences
When they arrived at camp, everything felt new, mountains stretching high into the sky, the gentle sound of the river flowing, soft sand beneath his feet, and even a playground with a slide. At night, the sky erupted with stars in ways he had never seen.
“Playing games was so much fun!”
Every day offered a new challenge: canoeing on the lake, team-building exercises, and learning to navigate the trails. Each activity taught him that stepping into the unknown could be exciting, especially when shared with friends and mentors who cared about his success.
Facing Challenges
The hardest challenge came on the climbing wall.
“I do try my best, but I was so scared I was going to fall.”
He paused at the bottom, taking a deep breath. That’s when his paraeducator and best friend reminded him of the phrase that had become his anchor:
“I can do hard things.”
He whispered the words to himself and started the climb. His hands shook, and every move felt uncertain, but he didn’t stop. Step by step, he pushed past fear and reached the top. “Afterward, I felt mature.”
Lessons That Last
That moment changed more than his confidence at camp, it changed how he approached challenges back at school and in life. Difficult assignments, unexpected setbacks, or stressful days became opportunities to remember the courage he felt surrounded by people who believed in him.
“I’m not as afraid of the future anymore. I can be strong, and I can’t wait to see what things I can do.”
Because growth doesn’t happen alone, it happens when a Christ-centered community reminds us that together, we are all able to do hard things.
