Elevation (Day 2)

Come morning, a little past the break of dawn, our lad has awoken and gathers himself together to start the day. Once set and ready he comes to the table with the morning's grub ready to fix up and eat. As he eats his breakfast he sits and talks with people, getting to know them better while looking ahead to the challenging day ahead.

A little before the set time, another from his Fellowship has reminded him of the huddle to be had by the members of their Fellowship. They proceed to their previously selected meeting area and discuss the coming day and what they will all need to have with them. This includes sufficient water and food until midday meal.

Then, the time for challenges fast approaches. Everyone scurries about ensuring that they are ready for the coming tests of will and endurance. They are briefed on where they will go and what they will be doing, then, it is time for our Fellowship to head over to the ascending rope...

As their Fellowship approached the ascending ropes, they were greeted warmly by the people that were standing by to assist them. They helped them get suited up in harnesses and helmets, they had members of the group that were returning from previous years of Elevation direct the rest of the group on how to properly ascend.

As our lad's friends were ascending he cheered them on whilst preparing himself to ascend.
When it came time for him to ascend, he was shown the ropes and instructed on how to use the ascenders to ascend and then to belay off to the ground.
Then he started up the rope...

As he went higher and higher he was cheered on by those in his pod, he struggled to figure out how to use his legs and arms in unison while struggling with the rope in the middle impeding his motion. One from his pod told him to use his legs and only push with his arms. At this point he had become tired and thought he knew what he needed to do differently to reach the top.

So he halted and returned to the ground to return again during free time. Then others went and they moved onto the next challenge.

The next challenge was the slightly infamous, or at least slightly misunderstood challenge of Walls.

Walls: this is where everyone in the pod goes around and shares one of their insecurities. Then you get to stare into the person's eyes who is sitting across from you.

This is a very emotional experience, and those that participate will leave having been changed; both from sharing and from listening to others share.

There are but two rules for the second portion of the activity, 1) you must remain silent, and 2) you may not think that the person across from you has a crush on you. Our lad had no problem with either of these rules and was able to grow from the experience of sharing and listening.

After Walls and many hugs, our Fellowship journeyed across a bridge to the next challenge of...
CROSSFIT!

The challenge consisted of running up a 30-40 degree hill and then a timed and increasing set of burpy-jacks, squats, sit-ups and then 20' of lunges.

Some of our Fellowship was done after or during the running, others were spent during the sets and only a handful made it to the next set. Our lad was finished after the first 3 minute set. But some of his friends had the gumption to continue on if only for a little into the second set.

After crossfit, they were glad to head to lunch and take a break. For lunch they had sandwiches with a delicious formation of nectar complimented by a buttery spread of peanuts. During the hour for lunch our lad refreshed himself by eating, talking and refilling his water. Then it was onto the next challenge...

The next challenge that our Fellowship had to face, was first to empty four soda cans. During this challenge they were briefed on the challenge that would immediately be following the soda.

That challenge was to create a ferry for electrons between two of the soda cans that were hooked up to a positive and a negative side of a circuit. The ferry had to be in the form of a teeter totter. They were quickly able to create one and thus ended that challenge. Then they were told about the next challenge that was harder than the ferry even...

The next challenge was to create a merry-go-round with the four soda cans and the rotating part above them being able to complete multiple rotations in a row.

The Fellowship worked on this challenge with due haste and brain power, but their time ran out just as they were figuring out the last bit that they needed to fix. Other than they hadn't finished and wanted that satisfaction, they left feeling fulfilled, if only a little reluctant to continue on in their challenges.

Although they were quickly able to forget their disappointment when they came upon their next challenge that was quite literally over their heads...
Rock climbing

There were some in the group that had previously rock climbed, but for our lad it was his very first time besides some man made structures and scrambling up big rocks. They all suited up in harnesses and helmets, as well as rock climbing shoes.

It took a while for our lad to find a size that he thought would fit him since the sizes didn't correlate with his other shoes he was wearing. But he was able to find some and went up to the wall.

First he belayed a fellow Fellowship member, and after they had made it up and down again it was time for our lad to climb...

It went quickly, he scaled the first 20 feet with ease. Then he had to move to the side and go up another 10 or so feet, then back to the middle again where he had to put his trust in the shoes and his belayer because of the lack of hand/foot holds. But he was able to climb the rest of the way to the nut on the top and almost gave it a kiss, but feared for his safety and so stopped within the last few inches. They he rappelled back down to the ground, but not before learning first hand why the saying exists that says, "Don't look down." He made it safely down though.

After he was down it was time to move onto the last challenge of the day, the Fellowship made their way to the center of camp and prepared for the next challenge of rappelling.
Our lad had to quickly run and do something, but once he was back he got his harness, helmet and a glove and started hiking up to the top of the canyon with one of his group guiding him along the path. When he reached the spot to rappel he was greeted by the man up top who was prepping everyone for the descent to the canyon floor again.


After people were ready the man took a picture of them to capture their feelings about rappelling, our lad took this and made it public knowledge after his experience at camp. But before that he had to make it to the bottom in one piece...


He started down, and besides not having a prior knowledge of what to do all the way down, he was able to follow directions and made it safely down. Although he did have to center himself by kicking when he was veering off to the side. And his arm was stiff afterwards as well because of holding his belay rope, but it was a great experience and fun to do.

From the best sources we have of this event, it would seem that the next thing our lad did after the final challenge of rappelling, was talking to people during what they called, "free time." He talked with some people that were in his pod along with others from outside it, but it was a good conversation.

Then once that conversation had ended or was nearing an end our lad was invited over to another table to play Go Fish.

And the record shows that this was no ordinary game of Go Fish, indeed it can be said that it inspired fear in the hearts of those who were not prepared to deal with the awesomeness that was emanating from the game of Go Fish.

For you see, there were many at the table, including our lad, who were skilled in the ability to change their accents to those of Russian, Italian, German, Irish and many others that have been forgotten with time. But it is remembered that it was not the game that was amazing, but rather the way the game was played. Because had you been there for just the game you would have become frustrated with the slowness of play, but if you were there to have a great time, you became enthralled with the conversation that was going on in different accents every other minute. There were those that looked on in wonder, and what can only be guessed to be a desire to have been a part of that game, some dared to come closer, but there were but few. The people in that game of Go Fish, left with glad hearts and good friendships with those who they had but a moment ago been competing with.

After only a short while, returning to the center of camp would have found you in the midst of song and those having conversation, our lad was in conversation at this point. Then a few minutes after this, it was time for dinner.

Although upon further examination of the record, we also find a reference to a game of Uno that our lad joined in playing. He was also multitasking because he was journaling at the same time. Which threw those he was playing with for a loop after he won and hadn't appeared to be paying attention. They had voiced their concerns with his ability to play and journal at the same time, he rebutted with saying, "it's more effective this way" and it turned out to be true. Because not only did he journal that which he had wished, but he also came out victor of the first game of Uno. After that though, he won none. But still had a good time and came close. Then dinner had started.

Dinner came in waves for our lad, because of the small size of the wee warm weeniers they were eating. He had three rounds of them, and in between rounds he conversed with those around him, as well as beholding a sight that few can tell tale of...

The sight being, those who had been playing music on the guitar and singing along; had turned into horses! There were no fewer than four horse heads that had replaces the heads of those who had just moments before been regular young man heads. The horses continued in song though, and while some may have said it to be a dream, others would have asked them to clarify between it being a dream, and being a nightmare.

Others shouted "Hey!" to gain the attention of those around, to draw their attention to what would appear to be stable singing on the part of the horses. Still others asked what would become of their voices should they continue for too long. Although it is sad yet glad to report the horses were able to return to human form after a little while.

But, instead of being glad at the horses, some were given up in their attempts to rein in the horse jokes.

After the horse jokes had run their course, and our lad had finished his third round of food eating, he left the eating area to talk to people, and instead started playing tag with two other people, and none of them ran about much. So they slightly conversed whilst playing a small game of tag.

At one point, one player ended up on the ground and so you merely had to stay out of arm's reach, but he stood back up eventually. Which was also right around the time that there were more horses in the camp than before.

This time, there were no less than six horses, who all had on a bathing suit and carried a towel. They emerged from behind a tent and proceeded to sing the song, "I'm a little Teapot" Queen style. Then they ran off to swim in the creek and remove the remnants of crossfit from earlier in the day. Almost needless to say, most everyone was speechless.

It was following this event that our lad made his way over to the swing that went over the creek. He conversed with people who were also around the swing, and was able to swing a couple times, it was really nice. Then he returned to the main area of camp to prepare for the naming of the mentors and trail guides.

To fill in a detail about the swinging though, we must return and point out that commonly people who swung would have to be caught in order to stop their swinging. And while this usually wasn't a problem, near the time that our lad was about to return to the center of camp, he was the last one besides one of his friends who was swinging still. When they had finished our lad tried to help them off the swing by catching the swing and stopping it, they only held it long enough for their friend to get out before he started forward swinging, hanging by just his hands on the chains of the swing...

He was able to hold on though, and made it safely to the bank before he dropped to the ground and returned the swing to the tree where it's stored. Then he went onto the naming of the mentors.

During the naming of the mentors, the mentors were required to share their first kiss story, or their first love or what friendship meant to them. All were chosen by at least one, and all were good stories and thoughts; there were just some more memorable than others...

The names that were given to the Fellowship's mentors were "Ninja" and "Aunt Jemama." Who both accepted their names and were great mentors.

After the campfire naming ceremony, the Fellowship met together to debrief a little on the day's events and challenges as well as giving details on what would happen on the morrow. Then our Fellowship had a group hug and headed off to bed.

Elevation (Day 1)

I was able to attend an amazing camp this past week, called Elevation, and I wish that everyone in the whole world could go because it's so amazing! But I can at least share my experience from it. I'll be telling my story from an author's point of view.


It all began, 3 years ago. When our lad's sister first started attending this new place to learn, called Williamsburg Academy.

And at the end of that school year, she went to this camp called Elevation. She had a fantastic time there, few to none of her family understood the significance of that camp.

Until two years later, her brother started attending that same school.

He learned their ways, through some trial and error, but mostly, and most significantly, through being himself.

There he learned to tear down his walls and really learn and really be himself.

He found many great friends, although some of them came from places besides that school. He felt that he had hit the motherload of greatness in people and learning. It was hard and at times rough and tumbly, but he proceeded and came out stronger.

As that school year was progressing, he continued strengthening his relationships with his friends, he was even able to meet some in person. Which was always special, stemming from the online nature of the school.

As the year was wrapping to a close, he realized that Elevation was quickly drawing nigh. He wanted to make the most of it, but he also feared that he wouldn't and that he would leave feeling unfulfilled.

As the week of Elevation drew ever nearer, he was more and more anxious, more and more excited, more and more having a desire to save his emotions for the week of Elevation and to share them with his current friends, and those that he knew he would become friends with.

Then, the week before Elevation he finished up his last assignments, submitted them. And had to wait a whole half week until Elevation would start!

To remain sane, he whittled away his time, waiting, but trying not to think about the coming adventure.

In some ways he built up a strong desire to make the most of it, and in others he built up a strong fear that he would fall short in making the most of it.

Then, two days before he would embark on the journey to Elevation, he began to pack, he gathered everything together and made it ready. The next day passed swiftly and before he knew it, he was off to the mythical land of Crawdad Canyon.

He had the opportunity to ride with some fellow Burgers, the party of Burgers quickly bonded and joined in mutual excitement for the coming week.

Then, before they knew it, they had arrived at the canyon.

As they stepped into the light of the South Country, they started soaking up the reality of what they were about to participate in.

For the young man that we are following in this story, it almost seemed too much and too little at the same time. Here, here at long last were so many people that he knew over the vast distance of the internet.

As he would go up and see someone he knew, they would both embrace in a glorious and heartfelt hug. Then they would both look at each other in awe, wonder to themselves and sometimes aloud about the physical characteristics that they had imagined differently from the little that they'd seen of the other from a webcam.

Most were surprised by the height of the other, sometimes it was thought that the other would be taller, and sometimes shorter. Mostly for the lad we're following, it was thought that he was not as tall as he was. But for at least one, it was thought that he would have been taller still.

As the young man proceeded down the hill into the canyon, the people and the greetings continued. He made it eventually to a man that he respected much, and was informed as to which tent he would spend the week in. After setting his place in the tent and meeting some new people, he continued out to greet those that were still arriving, and to greet those that had already arrived.

After a little he realized that some of his friends were over at a table, retrieving fascinating food that would be consumed at the discretion of each person over the course of the week.
He proceeded to this table and received his allotted amount of food.

Then he continued talking to people, although at times he was forced to silence and separation from others by his fear of talking with people, he tried to talk himself out of this fear since he knew it was unfounded, but it went on for some time at times.

After some time though, his fear was put aside as all the people that were gathered together, were gathered into an even smaller area onto a patch of sand, that at this time was in a sorry state. But despite the state of the sand they gathered on, they organized themselves into standing where their state would be had the sand been a map of the United States of America.

There were those that had journeyed from the faraway lands of Virginia, Maryland, Georgia and Canada. And then there were those that had come from the mountains, in the Northern parts of the state, there were those from the even more Southernly lands of New Mexico, Arizona and Nevada. There was even one who had journeyed from the distant and wet land of Costa Rica. There were also many from the Western land of California.

After they had organized themselves into a masterful pattern on the sand detailing out where they lived; they were then called upon by name to join with others who were also being called upon to join the ranks of the six great pods of Elevation!

The lad who we have thusfar followed, joined the ranks of the illustrious Fellowship that had been unwittingly called Pod Three. They adjourned the others and quickly united into the Fellowship that was known for it's gumption and prepared nature.

Though it had been said that in ages past it took hours if not days for the members of a pod to join together in unity, this Fellowship had done so in less than an hour. And it only became stronger throughout the week.

After this Fellowship had adjourned their members for the camp's free time, our lad found himself yet again beset by a desire to talk to others and to explore, but couldn't yet find the gumption to do so.

But, due to a magnificent lady that strolled by and that posed a simple question, we found our lad joining her and her companion on a journey to the Northern reaches of the canyon. After swiftly procuring permission to do so, they set off and in only a short while they reached the bounds that they had been set to stay within.

Though slightly tempted to journey beyond, they quickly turned themselves about and went on their way back to camp, though they did cross the creek along the way.
At this point we find the memory of the troubadour to be lacking slightly, but as best we can tell, the lad went on and was able to converse with others of his friends until such time as all were called together for that night's feast. Which was a magnificent meal of pasta in a tomato sauce.

Here we can find the memory of the troubadour strengthened by the worn record detailing out the times that events were had on this journey.

And from this record, the troubadour has remembered the demanding yet rewarding game of Koosh that the lad had played between the time of him eating dinner and the time that he had met with his pod that became a Fellowship.

The game of Koosh is simple to understand, but even a master at the game can be outwitted and outplayed by an amateur.

The rules are as follows: You must take the ball after the game has begun with it being thrown at the ground, then you must achieve a good shot at another with the ball to remove them from the game. You may not take more than three steps as you possess the ball, but, as the people whom you remove from play merely sit down where they are, you may throw the ball to them and they must throw it back to you, although it can be intercepted during either throw. The purpose of those who are out to sit on the field, besides moving the ball around, is because they may resume play once the person who has gotten them out has gotten out themself. The goal is to be the last person standing, thus having gotten all other players out, dealing you the title of Koosh Champion until it is challenged and usurped.

Though our lad did not become the Koosh Champion until there were but four players total, he was able to play well and had almost half out at one time or another.

To return to where we left off, we will find ourselves in the midst of yoga being done by those in the camp. Our lad had at times long past done yoga, but the memory had faded and so it was practically new to him, although he was able to relax his body and mind, as well as opening his mind to prepare himself for the week.

Then immediately following yoga, the camp was taken to meditation. Given slight direction, and encouraged to find what this camp would be for them, all found something different from another, but our lad found that he wanted to break free from limitations that he had long placed upon himself that he knew would restrict his ability to fully participate, be it only because it would be uncomfortable. This was his goal, along with a desire to be more of a leader that he knew he could be.

After the time for meditation had passed, it was time to pull out the journals that had been brought. There they recorded the answers to  some questions that they were asked. Namely these: What am I afraid of at Elevation? Why am I here? and  What can I contribute to this pod and others?
They were also asked to write how they had felt this first day, when they had felt vulnerable and what did they want?

One goal that might be surprising to note that our lad wrote down, is that he wanted to become vulnerable.

After the journaling was finished, the lad joined others around the campfire as stories were shared. There were only a couple due to the time appointed for everyone to be in their place of slumber for the evening, be it their tent or the patch of sand in the middle of camp. The stories that were shared though, were good and the lad was glad he got to listen to them. When it came time to retire, he proceeded to his tent and promptly fell asleep once ready.

Benjamin Fincher

Hello, how are you? You're doing well? That's good, but why would you settle for that when you can be extremely well? Or even super fantastic?!? That's what I am right now, I'm super fantastic! But...

Bow ties are cool!

I'm getting better!  I also happen to be Benjamin Fincher, which is amazing, and I wouldn't give it up for anything!

Now, on to what you want to know about me for your information, getting to know me better, finding out more about a single Burger, your stalking purposes. (you know who you are...) I live in the city of Orem, which is in the county of Utah, state of Utah, the United States of America, North America, the Northern Hemisphere, which is on the planet Earth, the Solar System, the Milky Way Galaxy, the local group, the Virgo Super-cluster, the observable universe, the universe, and possibly a multiverse? (I like to be prepared in case we have any extra terrestrials visit here)

A picture of younger me and one of my younger sisters

A brief history of Benjamin Fincher follows hereafter: (possibly comparable with Steven Hawking's A Brief History of Space and Time) I was born and raised in the above stated place, it is a good place to be and I would much rather be here than be anywhere else. Because can you imagine if you lived in a different galaxy? You would have the same issue of wanting to live in another galaxy such as ours, but not know anything different than we do here. (assuming that the technology and related things are the same as here) I have 4 siblings, an older sister who went to Williamsburg two years ago, as well as two younger sisters and a younger brother. My parents are amazing and because of my older sister reading too soon for "conventional" means, they decided to homeschool her and from then on the rest of my family has been homeschooled and I absolutely love it! I have had many interesting, quirky and random adventures. (of which you should ask me to detail some out for you) But to give a couple examples briefly, I have saved an oven door from burning down, I have gargled hot chocolate, I have fainted and I have been to a couple different rock concerts. I also have taken interest in many different areas, of which I detail some out below, but a couple others to touch on would be hard to do, so I won't. I do however love being outside and preforming some form of activity while outside, be it hiking, working in the yard or just walking, it's all wonderful to do. I do tend to not talk as much as people would think to expect from me, especially if you are currently reading this post, because I do tend to write and write and write when given the option. However, I do become very talkative when I am tired or get to know and trust you. One final detail about me before moving onto other details about me; is that I tend to write things at night, such as this blog entry. As well as sometimes writing parts and then inserting other parts in between what I have already written. It is an interesting and I choose to say, good writing style. (any who disagree may feel free to rewrite this post in another style with the same information and details. :) )

This is me at a young age,
demonstrating my persistent sense of style

Other details about me... I can be serious at times, after this point I shall endeavor to write in such a manner: I've been a Burger for over 200 days. Which is not near long enough, seeing as I'm writing on this blog you probably figured this out, but this is my first and last year here at the amazing gem of a place called Williamsburg Academy. And what you can expect from me after graduation, is to see me at a certain session of Elevation, and then from there I plan on working a part time job while still studying things that interest me. This all leading up to my adult life, which will commence on my eighteenth birthday I'm told. But the first major event that I have planned on doing for as long as I can remember, is to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (if you ever want to talk religion, message me up) I believe that along with sharing the message I will be bringing to people that I will gain many basic adult life skills.

Right here I will profess my adoration to Julie Herdt that she would come all the way down from where she lives to my town, just to sing to me. That really was a great performance. Thank you. :)

Me on top of Angels' Landing at Zion's National Park

Hobbies that I have... Hmm, I will just say a couple of things that I enjoy doing since I haven't had much time for hobbies recently. Hiking, running, talking with people, being with people, learning to play the guitar, reading, writing, ballroom dance, ripping records, singing, accents, creating art, finding ways to make something without buying it instead, sharing witty things/thoughts, carrying things in my pockets, eating any food with chopsticks, being prepared, proofreading things for fun, dressing up, having fun and learning new and exciting things. (as well as some not so fun things ;) ) I'm also interested in politics as well as getting statesmen into office, being prepared, frugality, old fashioned skills (i.e. coopering, broom-making, pottery, cobbling, candle-making, apothecary, weapons and baking) as well as becoming the 100 year old running the mountain.

Lessons that I've learned? (in case you didn't read everything above ;) ) Get ahead when you don't have to still submit things. Learn from and take notes from your peers. Get to know your peers, they are literally some of the best people you will ever meet. (although that can be the case with anyone, WA concentrates that awesome population) Become your best self and set good habits as soon as humanly possible. YOU. CAN. LEARN. ANYTHING! If you put yourself to it, there really isn't anything that you can't learn. Plan ahead, otherwise you will have things sneak up on you or not have enough time when things come up unexpectedly.

My favorite WA class has got to be Personal Leadership with Mr. Denning, if you didn't know him and met him on the street you'd think he's high on something with how happy he is! But, the thing is, he is. He is high on Awesome Sauce!

One pose you might take while high on Awesome Sauce.
Or while enjoying the great outdoors, one of the two.

Which is a conglomeration of many different things, but most if not all of them focus on being the best you can, helping others become the best they can and having a great attitude through it all. You should ask someone (Mr. Denning, me, someone else who knows) how you can get some Awesome Sauce if you don't already have it.

Bucket list: I don't have a well written bucket list, (I'm working on changing that) but a couple things on it are these; to marry a beautiful woman in one of my church's temples. Be the 100 year old running on the mountain. (not in a speedo!) Get a Delorean. Be remembered for who I was and not just what I did. Visit a couple different countries, UK and one on every continent at least. Build my own house at least once.

Here is one of my most recent trophies

Here I would like to throw a shout-out to some of the many people that have helped my on this trip of a lifetime. First I do have to acknowledge our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, who have blessed me in ways that I can't even begin to imagine, I can notice ways that I've been blessed, but it's not nearly all that I'm being blessed with. Next I would like to thank my parents. They somehow convinced me to give Williamsburg a chance... and I don't want to think of how much duller my life would be if I hadn't been given the opportunity to come here and learn everything I have. They've also supported me throughout the school year and are the best parents I could ask for. Right here I would like to thank you for reading this, it's not a lot, from either of us, but I hope that I've helped you with something you've been struggling with or at least put a smile on your face with my writing style and weird sense of humour.

Victory is assured with all the necessary preparations

Although I should apologize for having you read my short story length post, but thanks again. And now on to the mentors, having only one year at WA isn't enough to get classes with all the mentors, and I'm sure that people who have been here as long as they could would say that that's not even long enough to be with them. But it is enough time to get to know them somewhat, and to appreciate what they do for all of us, even if we don't really engage in class, they still care and will work with you. And there are ways to keep up with them as we move on thanks to social networking technology. And finally, I would like to thank my classmates. You are all amazing! Super stellar and I've been so blessed to get to know you for even a short season of life, but I hope to continue these friendships established here long until after we're dead. Thanks again to everyone who makes this whole thing possible and who helped me specifically! You are all amazing! (Google that word, it's true and correct)

I've also done many things in Scouting

Life is a journey best enjoyed with people that make you laugh and a good disposition to everything that comes your way.¹

I think that this quote is a great one to wrap up what my journey has been through school and life in general. It is interesting to note how this is pretty much the climax and fulfillment of my entire life up to this point, because after this semester ends I will be thrown into the whirlwind that is adult life. But Williamsburg Academy and the people that run it have helped prepare me in ways that I don't even know yet, and I'm thankful to everyone that has joined me on this journey and helped me. I hope that I've helped others along the way too, and always feel free to talk with me about anything or message me up if you need help with anything. ~Benjamin Fincher

Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.<sup>2


1</sup> Sherlock Norris
² William Shakespeare