Day Four - evening drama

                Characters:     1 - George - a boy camper
                                      2 - Chara (pronounced "care-ah") - a girl camper
                                      3 - Chris - can be either boy or girl

                Setting: An "all group" session is about to begin and 1, 2, & 3 are sitting next to each other. In actuality, this is also the fourth all-camp gathering of the "real" week of camp, of which this is the first "thing." Depending on where this gathering takes place, a gift-wrapped box is hanging from a rafter or a tree. As this dialogue will take place every evening, the gift box needs to either shift locations or there needs to be a box in every location where this might take place (pavilion, campfire, other meeting place).
                Preface with reading of 1 Corinthians 12:12-13 (both to set the theme and to quiet the group)

3 - Have you guys figured out what that gift-wrapped box is all about yet?

1 - Not really. What do you suppose is inside it?

2 - I bet it’s empty.

1 - Really? They wouldn’t do that, would they?

2 - It’s probably just a decoration, like an ornament on a Christmas tree.

3 - Either that or it’s one of those boxes with smaller boxes inside. You know, you open the first and there’s another, which you open, followed by another, and another, and another, and another, and...

2 - We get the picture.

3 - ...until there’s this teeny-weeny little box, and it’s empty.

1 - Do you really think there’s nothing in it?

2 - What do you think?

1 - I don’t know. I thought it would be more like the presents under the Christmas tree.

3 - Maybe we could take it down and shake it. Did you ever do that?

2 - Shake a box?

3 - Yeah, at Christmas. When no one is looking, you sneak over and shake the presents and try to figure out what’s inside.

1 - My folks don’t put the presents out until Christmas Eve.

2 - Why?

1 - One year my brother and I kind of got into them early. Only, we didn’t shake the boxes. We flat out tore off the wrapping paper, and started playing with the toys.

2 - And so they now keep them out of reach, right.

1 - Yup. Only, me and my brother always know where they hide them. We’re much more careful about it now.

3 - You figure out what you’re getting?

1 - Usually.

2 - Don’t you two like to be surprised? That’s the best part about receiving a gift.

3 - It is?

2 - Absolutely. I don’t want to know everything ahead of time. The fun part is wondering.

1 - Don’t you want to know what you’re going to get?

2 - No way. Until the moment I open the package, it could be anything.

3 - Aren’t you disappointed, then, when it isn’t what you wanted?

2 - How do you know it isn’t what I wanted?

3 - I don’t. I just know I often don’t get what I want.

2 - Ah, but I do.

1 - Your parents must be rich.

2 - They’re not any richer than your folks.

3 - Do you get everything on your list?

2 - What list?

3 - Your wish list. Don’t tell me you don’t have a wish list.

2 - Oh, in my head I do. Usually a pretty big one.

1 - So, you tell them what you want?

2 - Who?

1 - Your parents.

2 - No. They just get me a present on their own.

3 - "A" present? Just one?

2 - Well, sometimes I get more. Usually, though, it’s just one or two.

1 - Whoa! You poor girl.

2 - What do you mean? I’m rich.

3 - Huh?

2 - Between my gift, and my sister’s and brother’s gifts, we’ve got a lot.

3 - You "share" your presents?

2 - Don’t you?

3 - No.

1 - No.

2 - Then, I would be disappointed if I were you. The best part is sharing.

1 - I think I’m the one who now needs a translator. What do you mean?

2 - Don’t you guys share your gifts?

3 - Not really. To me the best part of getting presents is hoarding them. They’re all mine and nobody else’s.

1 - It’s always a battle to keep my brother away from my stuff. If I’m not careful, he’ll take it, and then probably break it.

3 - Yeah, that’s what happens when you share. You end up losing your gifts.

2 - Not in my home. I guess my parents always talk about respecting each other’s gifts, but also sharing them. I’d feel so bad if I broke my brother or sister’s present.

3 - Bet they wouldn’t feel bad if they broke yours.

2 - Oh, yeah, they would. In fact it happened last year. It was an accident, but my brother made it right. Mom and Dad helped him get me another one. The second one was actually better than the first.

3 - That wouldn’t happen in my family.

1 - I don’t think it would in mine, either. But it does sound nice.

2 - It is. And it’s good to share. I feel sorry for families that don’t.

3 - Anyway, back to that box. You really think there’s something in it?

1 - I think so. Maybe it’s something we’re supposed to share.

2 - I still think it’s an empty box. But, then, I like surprises.

3 - Maybe being surprised isn’t so bad, after all.

1 - Speaking of surprises, guess who got asked to read the Bible tonight?

2 - You?

1 - Me. I don’t think I’m as good a reader as you, Chara, but since you did it already, I’m not really scared.

3 - Hey, you’ll do just fine.

2 - You will! I’m sure of it!

1 - Thanks.

2 - Shhh! I think they’re about ready to start.

                At this point the leader begins, and the line between drama and reality blurs. This becomes the actual day four evening all-camp gathering, perhaps vespers or campfire or.... As suggested in day three’s drama postscript, perhaps this evening’s worship can build upon last night’s. You might ask each Koinonia, family, cabin, or small (or whatever you call them) group to bring a "dish" to this evening’s worship "meal" (vespers or campfire or...) - some element of worship that they will lead. Have in mind goal "d" of day 3 in the curriculum: "Develop a service of worship to God that is sensitive of and adapted to the natural environment." Somewhere in the middle of it all, have the drama character "George" read Ephesians 4:11-16. A few words developing the theme and, again, wetting the tastebuds concerning the "gift" box, might be in order. Overall, keep it simple. Involve the children! Use some of the other suggested scriptures. Add prayer(s). Worship!

            ©2000, Pete Haynes for Shepherd’s Spring OMC and Camp Mardela, Mid-Atlantic District Church of the Brethren (Outdoor Ministries), to be used with "God’s People - Many Gifts" rev. ed., ©1999, Geneva Press), part of the Sow Seeds ... Trust the Promise series. Permission granted to adapt and reword to fit the needs of your camp. Just list the original source.

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this page was last updated 07/17/01