On Getting 4 Muslim Friends to Camp: Summer Camp Series 1

I knew Dalmar wanted to go to camp. I knew that he would have the time of his life. He’d heard about it for years from friends and teammates. I just didn’t know if we’d be able to get him on the bus. 

You see, he is a Muslim. And this was Christian camp experience. For years, we have been working with Muslim students. Our neighborhood is hyper-diverse. With over 30 languages and dialects among over 80,000 people, it’s been dubbed “The Ellis Island of the West.” Diversity of faith follows too. In a 3-block walk from Urbanlife, one can step foot into a Muslim mosque, a Buddhist temple, a Jehovah's Witness Kingdom Hall, or an LDS church. Somali refugees are predominantly Muslim, both culturally and by faith. Many of these students come to "club" on Monday nights, where we eat together, play games of all sorts, and listen to a short message from the Bible. At times, they come to our "small groups," where we discuss life issues and apply biblical teachings. Often times, students won't read the scripture aloud or hold a Bible. But more often than not, they will discuss honestly and add value to conversation. But getting students out of town and on overnight experiences is a whole other challenge.

I knew Dalmar wanted to go to camp. I knew that our mentoring friendship would deepen exponentially if we got to spend a week together. . I just didn’t know if we’d be able to get him on the bus. 

Dusting off my recruiting skills from community college basketball coaching, I made getting Dalmar to camp, a top priority. I started early. Cost is a common obstacle for students. We overcame this one early. Dalmar, and friend Ali, worked on the UrbanLife farm on a Saturday morning in June. This guaranteed their spot and provided a sweat-equity style down payment. But the obstacles began to mount.
Through text messages, I would read, “I can’t go, I have basketball.”
 Later, “I don’t think my mom is gonna let me go.”
 Then, “My mom said no and I really wanted to go…she feels like you are a stranger and stuff like that.”
I wondered if his mom was up for meeting me. She agreed to a home visit. But with limited English skills, she sent me through an interview with Mo’s sisters (2), brothers (2) and nephew (1). 
I passed.
Dalmar was given permission. And he wasted no time thanking me:

We faced a few minor obstacles after that meeting. 
A week before, “The only problem is the money coach, but I really want to go.” 
And, “I forgot my papers at home.” We got over the hurdles. 

 I knew Dalmar wanted to go to camp. As his basketball coach, I knew that he was a natural leader and would bring students with him. I just didn’t know if we’d be able to get him on the bus.

Once Dalmar got the 'green light' from his mom, he started working on his friends. He invited Khalid. Khalid was a family friend of Dalmar's for years. He attended a local school, but had never come to UrbanLife or met us. He was ready to pay full pop and was excited about the trip. But it wasn't until his mother pulled up, wearing a hijab and adorned in henna designs from fingertip to elbow, did I believe he was coming. 

Dalmar also invited Ali. I knew Ali because I coached him this past year. In his case, we faced additional barriers that surfaced less than 24 hours before our departure. Getting him clearance required early conversations with a brother, an additional home visit the morning of camp, and door-to-door van chauffeur service. We did it all.

Dalmar made it on the bus.
Ali made it on the bus.
Khalid made it on the bus.
And Dahir (a 4th) made it on the bus.

I knew Dalmar wanted to go to camp.  And now, he was coming with friends!