When I was little, attending summer camp meant taking many risks. The most memorable one was using the trampoline. I could not jump, but I would lay on it while my friends jumped around me, causing me to bounce up and down with them. Practically every time we did this, the fun would end when my knees buckled and my legs jammed beneath me. Despite occasional pain and the potential for disaster, I greatly enjoyed the experience. What’s more, I found out what it feels like to jump on a trampoline.

Years later I got my first job working at a Sports Camp. Looking back, I’m not sure what was more important to the Director - expressing her confidence in me or helping me learn a few things. But both objectives were met as I developed new skills - like how to teach baseball without touching a bat - and I became comfortable with encouraging campers to do athletic things even though I could not participate. In fact, after I established a routine, I never really considered what I was missing out on.

But it was my colleague Chris’ sense of risk, rather than my sense of routine, that lead to my invaluable experience. I was following my daily ritual of cheering for each one of the campers as they jumped off the diving board, when I noticed Chris pause before he jumped off. Next thing I knew, he had hoisted me out of the pool and I was on the edge of the diving board, ready to go off in his arms. It was risky but I survived, and we rushed to do it a second time before we got in trouble. Many bad things could have happened, but I am thankful they didn’t and am grateful for the experience of jumping off a diving board.

I do not recommend life or death risks, and each time you try something new you have to weigh the pros and cons; but when the potential for negative effects is not long-term, why not take a chance occasionally? Remember this: On the other side of common sense there is often priceless experience…keep on rolling in the city.

~ Chantal