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Grace Gardner

November 9, 2018

English 9 G Block

Monsters, Gods, and Heroes, Oh My!

Monsters battling heroes, gods meddling in human affairs, and loyal allies. I’m not talking about

a movie or the latest video game. I’m referring to Homer’s, The Odyssey, and my life. While I might not

be as much of a hero in that I’ve never killed a cyclops, I certainly battle my own monsters and meet

heroes. My life in many ways, resembles Odysseus’ journey. Similar to Odysseus, I have found amazing,

compassionate, people willing to help and connect with others, often in the strangest of ways.

Odysseus went through many experiences, some good, some bad, many strange. My

experiences are similar in that way. While I have struggled through things, from relatively little things

like homework, to bigger things like my grandfather having Alzheimer’s, I am blessed in that I have a lot

of good experiences as well. Growing up, a huge part of my life involved the Christian organization

Young Life. Every summer, my parents have found some way for me to get to camp. Most summers my

dad speaks to high school kids about Jesus at a camp, and I get to be a staff kid. As a staff kid, I have the

run of the camp. I get to help out behind the scenes, like working with the horses, and watch the

campers’ many different activities. Granted, now I will be able to participate as a camper, but I will

always remember, and treasure, being a staff kid. I had the privilege of growing up surrounded by

people who give up their summers to serve high school kids. I saw the way human beings can be

incredible selfless; willing to give their time, money, and support. Odysseus went on many adventures

with other heroes, including his son, Telemachus, and even unassuming heroes like the swineherd and

cowherd. While many of the people who serve as leaders, wranglers, or work at other places around

camp might not seem like heroes, they are crucial to the success of Young Life camp. Much like how the

cowherd and swineherd are critical for Odysseus; especially when they stop the traitor goatherd, book
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22. The swineherd and cowherd went beyond their job descriptions to help Odysseus; similar to how

leaders go beyond simply keeping their kids alive, leaders help them thrive, often putting themselves

into awkward or potentially messy situations.

As a ‘Young Life poster child’ (which is what some of my friends call me jokingly) I can firmly say

Young Life, Young Life camp especially, is one of the strangest things I have ever witnessed. Kids get

pulled on shovels and inflatable whales, and run through obstacle courses in the pitch black covered in

mud. Leaders get their faces smashed with pie, and grown-ups dress up in weird outfits, crazy accents,

and crazier hair, just to make kids laugh. Odysseus also sees a lot of strange things, from sirens, to crazy

six-headed monsters. Odysseus’ unusual experiences led him to become famous, with news of his

adventures constantly on everyone’s lips. Camp is similar for the high school kids and their areas. Their

strange activities often bring kids together, so that by the end of the week everyone knows the kid who

won the worm spitting contest. The activities also connect people who otherwise might not normally

associate with each other. After all, once you’ve piled on top of other girls to form a ‘double decker

cheeseburger with lettuce,’ you become a lot closer. Kids also gain strong bonds with their bunk mates;

especially during cabin time.

One of the most shocking and beautiful things, is how kids open up at camp in a way they aren’t

able to at home. After club, where everyone dances, sings, watches their friends do funny skits, and

listens to a speaker talk about Jesus, the kids go back to their cabins to have ‘cabin time.’ In cabin time

you are with a small group of people from your school, of your gender. During cabin time everyone talks

about what the speaker said, as well as any other tangents that enter the conversation, from favorite

movies to deeper problems with family. Cabin time is a safe space for high schoolers to talk about

whatever; what is said in cabin time, stays in cabin time. During cabin time many kids feel safer, and are

able to be open and honest, sometimes for the first time in years. Odysseus becomes closer with his son

though their battle with the suitors. His son is crucial to his success; in the planning and execution.
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Therefore, Odysseus grows to trust him more; along with the cowherd and swineherd. The cowherd and

swineherd both help Odysseus tremendously; as a result, Odysseus trusts them not to betray him like

the goatherd. Similar to Odysseus’ trust in the cowherd, swineherd, and Telemachus, high schoolers

grow to trust their leader’s and other kids through camp activities and cabin time. Many kids start the

trip isolated and lonely, and end sharing heartbreakingly honest declarations during cabin time. Some

even come to discuss their thoughts on God, Jesus, and the whole idea of being a Christian.

Odysseus battled many monsters, joined by his allies. While my fear might not be caused by a

giant whirlpool with huge teeth, I do experience fear, and stress, daily, caused by anything from school

to my family. Young Life Camp has been a safe haven for me, and others, to relieve that stress. Odysseus

saw many strange creatures and phenomena while on his journey. My life is similar in that I consider

things like running through obstacles at night, a normal event, thanks to Young Life. The strange has

become a sense of normal to me. The journey of Odysseus, and my own, intersect in many places,

proving that my life, while not filled with greedy monsters, nor cunning goddesses, is a heroes’ tale.

Odysseus and I face obstacles in our lives, ones we would not surpass without the help of loyal people

watching out for us. Both the mythological hero and I have lives full of amazing experiences that push us

as heroes and people. My experiences with Young Life Camp, and its amazing volunteers, have driven

my passion to help other people. Because I have witnesses the amazing aspects and rewards of Young

Life first hand, I wholeheartedly encourage others to join, often reminding my friends so many times

that they finally go just to get me to stop. One of my goals is to be my own hero, by supporting others

and encouraging them to try strange new experiences and open up. Like Odysseus and even the

swineherd, everyone can be a hero, we need only be willing to work for it.
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Bibliography

Homer, and Robert Fagles. The Odyssey. NY. Penguin 1996.