Steps of Faith: A Summer Dance Camp

An Interview with Genesis Garner, Dance Camp facilitator, instruction and choreographer

As I sat down with Genesis Garner and Rosemary Sherrod (Director for Social Services with G.O.D. Int’l) for an interview about this summer’s ABDC: Jr. Edition program, I was struck by Genesis’ youthful energy. Hand woven bracelets are thick on her wrists, ripped jeans and high-top converse - yep, she’s 17! However, as soon as she began to speak, the maturity, confidence and spirituality needed to produce the kind of success she experienced this summer, immediately emerged.

Luci Munoz concentrates on the dance routine that her team has been learning. Knowing that they will be performing for all of the Camp Skillz campers (including some of their siblings), they all took their practice time serious knowing that “whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord...” (Col 3:23)

Genesis grew up dancing competitively, making her a natural choice for this program. However, when reflecting on what enabled her to be prepared for this moment, she spoke emphatically about training she received at her school, the Academy for GOD, where she has been prepared for leadership and taught how to adapt to unexpected environments and situations.

Genesis was paired with one other lead, an 18-year old summer employee, Diamond-Jade French. Together, they were responsible to manage two co-ed dance crews, ages 12-13, that would compete for the title “Antioch’s Best Dance Crew.” Though they had never met prior to the first day of camp, they collaborated on choreography and classroom management, and in doing so, became good friends.

Diamond-Jade French, one of the dance camp facilitators, watches from the back as dancers put forth their best effort -- moving in a unified fashion. Teamwork was one of the skills that was emphasized during the camp.

The kind of collaboration that Genesis and Diamond found working together represented the values they hoped to instill in the kids. Very aware of the common dance culture of a very competitive and often negative mindset, Genesis and Diamond sought to create an environment focused on building a healthy team dynamic.

Genesis and Diamond expected to experience tensions on the team. They knew that with so much to do in such a short amount of time (the camp was 4 hours a day for 2 weeks), impatience, competitiveness, and a host of other things could be high. Genesis prayed about the challenging moments that she anticipated arising. What she saw on the other side of her prayers and the efforts she and Diamond made to emphasize character development during camp, was the Lord at work. She saw kids pushing through exhaustion, saying that the day was hard, but fun. She saw them work through inevitable conflict in love. It was clear at the end of camp that their goals along these lines were accomplished.

What happens when the restrictions of a global pandemic collide with the end of a camp that encouraged unity, cooperative, patience and kindness toward one another? Uncontrollable rejoicing and non-distancing hugging. These are youth filled with joy!

The culmination of ABDC Junior Edition was a performance in front of the entire population of campers attending Camp Skillz. With an audience of kids (often less forgiving than adults) Genesis knew that her students would have to learn performance skills, such as dropping low, breaking out of their bubble, using their faces, identifying their audience and communicating the mood of the dance. When asked how successful this was, Genesis laughed. “They were awkward at first, but they got the hang of it.” The performance was a seamless display of unique choreography, unity, skill, and expression.

The team, Fresh Vibes, won the competition and the tennis shoe trophy! The camaraderie formed among the dancers during camp is not something they will soon forget. The teams had a lot to learn at camp and a short time to learn it. However, that did not prevent them from forming the kind of relationships that will continue to grow and develop.

In reflecting on her experience, Genesis credits the great success of the program to the presence of God, and the prayers that she and Diamond covered over the program and their students. “Every day, I would go into it really nervous, and at the end of the day I would feel nothing but at peace with what happened. I could just reflect and know--that was the Lord.”

Congratulations to the Workwell management staff, Genesis and Diamond, and all the program participants for a successful program and an exciting performance! We look forward to future summers featuring Antioch’s Best Dance Crew: Junior Edition.