ELLIOT'S ANSWER TO "WHY VANGUARD?"

A Vanguard Gap Year Story

By HoneyRock Center for Leadership Development

December 6^th, 2023

After spending nine summers at HoneyRock, eight as a camper and one most recently as a cabin leader, Elliot Humphrey has returned for a gap year with Vanguard. I had the opportunity to sit down with Elliot and ask him about why he chose Vanguard as his gap year and what it is about HoneyRock that has kept him coming back. It quickly became evident the impact that HoneyRock has had on Elliot’s character, life story, and faith was the initial catalyst for his return. But, as we talked, he explains how it became clear to him that he needed to take a closer look at a few things in his life and invest further into the work God had started in him.

It quickly became evident the impact that HoneyRock has had on Elliot’s character, life story, and faith was the initial catalyst for his return...

“Once I decided on taking a gap year, choosing Vanguard was a pretty easy decision, especially because it is at a place I have come to trust.”

Elliot (in the Bull's jersey) with his cabin mates and leaders, summer 2020.

TRUST & OPPORTUNITY

“Once I decided on taking a gap year, choosing Vanguard was a pretty easy decision, especially because it is at a place I have come to trust.” Feeling encouraged by the experiences of other’s and his past experiences at HoneyRock, pursuing Vanguard was a relatively easy decision for Elliot after having already settled on the idea of taking a gap year. The fact that Vanguard took place at HoneyRock, a place that had gained Elliot’s trust over the years due to the leadership and mentorship from staff, Vanguard was the next right thing. “HoneyRock had gained my trust over the years I've come here! It was a place I knew where people were extremely qualified to provide a program like this.”

“I have had an obsession with HoneyRock for the last nine years! I think it is totally because of the community here.”

Elliot (far right) with his cabin mates and leader during his Catalyst 2 summer (2022).

Elliot enjoying the giant paddle board as staff, summer 2023.

LASTING IMPRESSIONS

As a person who is at his best in environments that offer structure and routine, HoneyRock was place where Elliot felt like he could thrive.

This is a place where Elliot feels that his gregarious and active personality is embraced. This feeling of belonging played into his decision to pursue Vanguard. The summer camp programs that Elliot participated in were always a formative time for him; he always left HoneyRock feeling known, heard, and loved. Elliot explained to me that he feels the community has consistently desired to understand him, affirm him, and has helped him feel seen. Elliot’s response to “Why Vanguard” has been affirmed through the teaching and mentorship that he has received through the HoneyRock community of staff and peers throughout the years.

In reflection, Elliot voices, “It was crazy how well they understood me in such a short period of time, and how they led and exemplified Christ.” Elliot elaborated further, explaining, “I have had an obsession with HoneyRock for the last nine years! I think it is totally because of the community here.” It was clear to me, as I spoke with Elliot, that the outpouring of grace and care experienced at HoneyRock fed into Elliot’s eagerness to spend eight months in the Northwoods.

“It was crazy how well they understood me in such a short period of time, and how they led and exemplified Christ.”

TRANSITION OF THE SEASONS

While it is the same place, HoneyRock has a different feel during the school year months compared to the summer months. The cool crisp air and slower pace of the school year stands in contrast to the bustle of the sun dappled days of the summer.

The tight-knit community and the slower-paced environment can take someone a bit by surprise when they’re used to the energy of the summer. Elliott explained to me that he came into Vanguard with the assumption that it would look and feel more like the summer, but as he’s adjusted that assumption, he expressed that he has come to see the quiet beauty that occurs in the the intimacy of the school year. “It is the same HoneyRock with the same mission and values," he explained, "but it was really different than what I was expecting.” Elliot is coming to understand that the rhythm of the school year is best for him in this season of life.

Elliot and Reagan Beachy (Vanguard '24) prepping food in the kitchen.

Elliot, Thomas Gerhart, and Reagan Beachy (Vanguard '24) working hard on a puzzle in the Bear's Den.

Josh Elrod, Elliot, Zach Glashagel purifying water on the Pictured Rocks Backpacking Trip (Fall 2023).

Hannah Bridges, Bella Frey, and Elliot on the Vanguard Pictured Rocks Backpacking Trip (Fall 2023).

CALLING HONEYROCK HOME

As our conversation came to a close, there were two big ideas that Eliott named that stuck with me.

Elliot pointed out that, “Vanguard leaves a lot of space for growth, and it leaves a lot of space for personal discernment.” The time that Vanguards are able to spend in solitude and silence have been aiding him to build a closer relationship with Christ, and it helps him understand the plans that may be in store for him.

The challenges Elliot has worked through while at HoneyRock have led him to some of his biggest breakthroughs.

While it seems that many Vanguards come into their gap year with different questions and it can feel like we’re all focusing on specific but different areas of our lives that we need to grow in, this year is guiding us through a significant discernment process while also fostering our reliance on God. Elliot mentioned that the challenges he has worked through while at HoneyRock have led him to some of his biggest breakthroughs. Elliot’s final comment during our conversation really struck me, “If I have one word to describe HoneyRock, it is home. This is really cheesy, but HoneyRock is home, and I believe the community here is really what makes it feel that way.”