I arrived late for breakfast to find a teary-eyed member of the RSU #20 kitchen staff. She was standing at the ready behind mounds of eggs and sausage patties. “I don’t want them to go,” she said. Like so many others, she has been astounded by the way these teens conduct themselves – showing respect and gratitude, sharing an encouraging word, cleaning up after themselves and lending a hand. I could not agree with her more!

Group Workcamp Director Jeff and I were interviewed by a reporter for Bangor Daily News this morning at one of the sites. The article can also be read online.

The teens make the best interviewees by far – well spoken, full of enthusiasm and proud of their accomplishments. They had finished their assigned work at the site, and were going to be heading out soon to go help on another site. In a scene that will be repeated all over Waldo county in the next two days, they exchanged gifts and heartfelt good-byes.

It reminds me that there will be an end to this week, and just for a moment I know what that kitchen lady must have been feeling.

Picked up Rachael (my daughter), Ashleigh and Hallee at one of the sites where they have been helping to paint. They were needed in the afternoon at the school to help dole out snacks and drinks to the teens returning from their work sites for the evening – plus, they just want to hang out there and soak up the workcamp atmosphere.

After lunch back at the Troy Howard cafeteria, I seemed to spend much of the afternoon looking for stuff. Our beloved “Blue Shirts” – local volunteers – have been doing an amazing job all week making everyone feel appreciated, welcomed and supported. Many times a day, people stop me (and others) to say what a great job these people have done, and how much it means to the campers, the youth leaders and the Group staff.

The closing program tonight was pretty amazing, and had a profound effect on all who were there. Our local youth who came to observe (and in some cases participate) were deeply affected. They are beginning to ask how and when we can go to a workcamp. We shall see!

So many lives changed, through this wonderful week of sweat, joy, reflection and renewed faith.