I would look up, and laugh, and love, and lift.
/I think this poem is wonderful. What do you think?
I would be true, for there are those who trust me;
I would be pure, for there are those who care;
I would be strong, for there is much to suffer;
I would be brave, for there is much to dare.
I would be friend of all—the foe, the friendless;
I would be giving, and forget the gift;
I would be humble, for I know my weakness;
I would look up, and laugh, and love, and lift.
For years, the YMCA has used it as part of their Christian "Raggers" program but the poem is much older - dating back to 1906.
The last line is my favorite because I think that it embodies everything we hope to see in a camp leader and what we desire to pass on to each camper.
I would look up - eyes to heaven.
And laugh - because being joyful is God-given.
And love - because we are compelled to do this.
And lift - because it is the right thing to do (no exceptions).
1 Timothy 4:12
Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.