The campers are finally here!!! There was so much excitement in the air this morning as we all scrambled around doing last minute things. Before the kids arrived, the whole staff circled on the field and practiced some last minute songs and games. And then the kids came!! The first car to pull up had 4 kids in it and the entire staff rushed the car. It was really cute, but probably a bit overwhelming to the parents and kids. But I was impressed by my staff. The people assigned to take luggage took their luggage and the people assigned to greet greeted. It was very well done.
The bus arrived around 11 and although it is a very small week (only 53 campers total), the camp spirit was strong and I was filled with an indescribable excitement. It was a comfort to know that even though this is my ninth summer, I still get the same feeling every time a busload of kids arrives for the beginning of a week.
We started with some songs and silly games and then all of the counselors called off their campers names and spent some time doing icebreakers and name games. I DISTINCTLY remember the first morning of the first day of being a counselor nine years ago, because I have never before and never since, been quite as terrified as I was that day. I was 18, had little experience with kids and there were 10 tiny kids looking at me wanting to know what we were going to do. I was trying to be confident and excited, but all I could think was, "ohmygosh, what have I gotten myself into. I have NO IDEA what I'm doing." Obviously it worked out, because here I am all this time later, but I could see that look on several counselor's faces and it made me smile and want to hug all of them and tell them it gets easier. I didn't. They will figure it out.
After icebreakers, we had lunch and then groups moved into their cabins. After moving in, they spent the rest of their day going from program area to program area taking a tour. There were no major problems and campers and counselors all seemed to be happy and doing well.
Right about the time that they were on tour, my best friend X arrived to camp. She was driving a huge 15 passenger van full of donations that we have been trying to get to camp for a month. I was happy to have the van here, but ELATED to have her here. I wanted her to see camp and I wanted to be able to share this great day with my best friend. I think I was even more excited when she pulled up than when the kids did.
She and I took a tour of camp, unloaded the van, and then hung out with kids and groups until dinner. After dinner, she and I worked for about 4 hours writing out schedules for kids and groups. Campers each get to sign up for 4 activity choices, so we had to coordinate who was going where, when and which counselors were leading it. Then we had to do the same thing with the activities each cabin signed up for. It was a huge project. I love to schedule (I know that's the nerdiest thing on the planet, but we all have our "thing"), and eventually, I will be able to do it quickly and smoothly. But this time around, it required some figuring out. I couldn't have been happier to have her here. When the two of us get together, our brains just seem to click together and everything makes sense.
So camp has begun and life is good and I can't wait to see the rest of the week unfold.
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