" It's amazing how quiet Searcy can be in the summer time. It's like a different place from mid-Mayta early August " - senior Tressa Tucker 34 /I student life summer campus buzzes with activity while students are on break • magine it is the end of the spring semester, classes are I finished and a long-awaited rest is on the brink. The only obstacle is, instead of going home for the swnmer, staying at Harding is the reality. Although for many this reality may seem like torture, there were some who not only lived through the experience, but fmUld it to be a pleasant one. Each year at the beginning of summer, Harding helped to CQlIDed students w ith programs that enabled them to work and serve in the community. One such program was Uplift, a three-week summer camp held on campus for teens. While at Uplift, teens spent their days with youth group counselors and participated inactivities such as Bible classes, devotionals, talent shows and energy groups. "[ thought it was going to be so boring staying here, but the thing about being here was that you got to meet and make friends with a lot of people that you nonnally wouldn't have met," senior Molly Davis said. "It turned out tobe really nice, working with the kids and seeing how on fire they were was very encouraging to me." Throughout Uplift, counselors spent most of their time getting to know the teens and making sure they felt comfortable. In addition to the regular activities, teens participated in skits built around the Uplift theme, "The Cal!." The skits were based on Jonah's life. n As a counselor, I felt like I was being paid to go to camp because [ got to see all the speakers, hang out with the kids, watch the skits and participate in all the activities they did," sophomore Cynthia Landon said. Students also found Searcy to be more relaxed and less crowded in the summer. "It's amazing how quiet Searcy can be in the summer time," senior Tressa Tucker said. "It's like a different place from mid-May to early August." When it came down to it, right-brained friends were needed to make it through a summer in Searcy, sophomore Derek Lang said. "There's a lot of stuff to do both on and off campus, but you have to make an effort to find it and be creative," Lang said. ~ CaireyTai Three Uplrtt campers sing in atalent show during theJune sesskJn of Uplift, aweek-long camp for teens sponsoredby the Institute for Ch..ch and Family. Each of Uplift~ th"'" sessions included a talent show, and the finalists of the showpertonned before the klcture on the final n\jht of camp. (PhotobyJeff Montgomery)
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