Synod School Review
From Paige Klinkenborg
A couple weeks ago I traveled to the Buena Vista University campus in Storm Lake, Iowa for a week-long gathering of presbyteries throughout the upper midwest, or as I like to refer to it, “family camp”. This was an event that I attended as a child, from about 2 years of age through early high school, with my mother. This year was my first time not only attending as an adult, but having my own 2 year daughter in tow. I had the pleasure of working in the 3-5 year old room in the morning, taking classes in the afternoon, and I had the opportunity to participate in various recreation, education, and worship opportunities in the afternoon and evening. To share more of our experience and to give you an idea of what the camp looks like I will share what our typical day looked like.
6:00-7:00AM: Wake up, shower, get dressed, get Wyatt ready, walk to the dining hall
7:00-7:50AM: Pile my plate with scrambled eggs, sausage, and cinnamon rolls (that I didn’t have to make myself). Eat with faces from Westminster, share things we are looking forward to today/how everyone slept/activities from late last night.
7:50-8:10AM: Walk to the adjacent building and drop Wyatt off in her classroom of infants to 3 year olds. Go upstairs to the 3-5 year old classroom and go through the morning plan with the other adult teachers.
8:10-12:00PM: Hang out with the 3-5 year old youth. May include but not limited to, playing with magna-tiles, dance parties with scarfs outside, ensuring each child gets a turn pushing the elevator buttons, listening to a story, writing names on completed craft projects, board games, opening up several goldfish packages, and more!
I truly enjoyed my time in the classroom! I did not have to plan or prepare for my time with them. The youth were such fun and there were no major meltdowns, fights, or injuries. The youth quickly became friends and included everyone in games. The adults all did their fair share of work and the time went by quickly.)
12-12:45PM: Walk to the dining hall and, once again, pile my plate full of food I did not prepare…think salad bar, pizza, burgers, roasted chicken and vegetables, cake, pudding, and soft serve ice cream.
12:45-2:00PM: Walk to our dorm room, attempt to put Wyatt down for a nap and end up watching Blippi on my phone
2:00-2:15PM: Walk and drop Wyatt off in her classroom for more afternoon fun, walk to my class across the street
2:15-3:30PM: Afternoon class #1: Jesus the Storyteller: Learning from the Parables
This class was an exploration of different parables from Jesus. We spent time reading and discussing several different parables throughout the gospels. The instructor was highly knowledgeable, had a vast background and education, and approachable and open. It was highly attended with about 50 students in a small lecture hall and had a variety of students from those who went. Major takeaways I had: There is no correct way to read and interpret the Bible. Parables can have different meanings to each individual based on each person’s lived experiences and analysis.
3:30-5:00PM: Afternoon class #2: Line and wash (a watercolor course)
This class was, by far, my favorite part of each day. The instructor was a retired pastor that has practiced water color for over 40 years. We spent the beginning of each class talking about different techniques, color theory, and watching a quick demonstration. The instructor had a rough project planned for each day with a set of instructions we could take home. Each day I would feel more skilled and proud of what I was making each day. It was a time for me to challenge myself to engage with the creative side of my person and something I was able to find relaxation in and have engaged in since our return home.
5:00-6:00PM: Walked to the dining hall and, you guessed it, eat more food that I didn’t have to prepare! (I should also note cleanup was much easier than it ever is at home.)
6:00-6:45PM: Time in the lounge or outside for Wyatt to play with other adults and children and myself to connect with others in our congregation, from my classes, or individuals I knew from when I attended as a youth.
Yes - this is something people attend over and over again because it is just that much fun! I saw many folks that remembered me at Synod School around my daughters age and it is so fun to reminisce and catch up with people you haven’t seen in over ten years.
6:45-7:30PM: Evening worship at the chapel - music, prayer, offering, children’s time, sermon.
I should note that Wyatt and I did not attend after the first few evenings as she was tired (and I was tired of attempting to entertain her in the chapel while not disturbing others). There was never judgment of a noisy child, excusing ourselves early, or not attending worship in its entirety. This week really is an opportunity for people to relax and refresh and that looks different for each person and everyone is understanding of that.
The amount of classes offered at Synod School is truly incredible and something is bound to spark your interest. Others I recall seeing when I scrolled included Ultimate Sports, Knitting a pumpkin hat, Basket weaving, Acapella group, Christmas in July, Great Synod School Bake off, Ted Lasso, The Good Place, and many many more. Classes cover topics of theology, arts, music, food, current events, television, etc.
7:30-8:00PM: Wind down in our dorm room, facetime loved ones back in Des Moines and share of the fun we had, prepare for the next day, and put Wyatt to bed.
8:00PM onward: Read my book, binge netflix, or scroll tik tok till I doze off
There were classes, events, and connection opportunities in the evening, but we opted out of these with Wyatt being so young. Big hits that I heard others enjoyed included: Pickleball, Women’s US Soccer National Team watch party, therapy cat visit, tie dye, coffee house with live music, and more.
Wyatt and I truly had an amazing and relaxing week at Synod School. I would encourage you to ask myself or other congregants that attended about their experience, or join us and give it a try next July.