Staff Issues

I took C to the doctor, who told him that his shoulder was fine. Amazing how much better he felt after that... well, that is until he rolled his ankle and had to sit out of the dance last night. However, I will admit he did a very nice job of interacting with the campers that weren't dancing and he is working towards the goal I gave him of getting to know 20 kids this week. So I am not complaining about him. I have others to complain about.

The staff has divided into cliques and I am so crabby about it. I have been meeting with people individually this week and several people have told me they either feel left out or frustrated with other staff or are stressed out. It is so distracting from campers and I want to scream.

There are 7 people leaving camp for the weekend. One of my international staff is going home already (school starts for her on the 11th!), and two other people are going to take her to the airport and then go to a family function at one of their houses. They asked to be able to do this weeks ago and they will be riding the bus up to camp on Monday. It's a great situation because I don't have to worry about taking her to the airport and I have people to ride the bus on Monday.

There are 4 people who decided yesterday they want to go to the city and meet up with the old art director. I was fine with it, except that none of them have cars here, and three of them can't legally drive even if they had a car. Unfortunately this week, the bus is already full on Monday, which means they can ride down to the city tomorrow, but not back up to camp. The art director offered to drive them back, but I've already witnessed her dependability and forgive me for being skeptical, but I'm not thrilled with the idea. And in light of last weekend's events, I'm skeptical about their ability to be responsible.

So I met with them this morning and let them know they could go to the city, but I would be asking them to sign a contract agreeing to be back on time on Monday morning or they will be docked pay. I hate to be so strict and mean, but we have a BIG group of kids next week, and I will be the Executive Director, the Program Director, and the Art Director next week, so I don't have time to deal with any staff drama. I need to make sure they are here because I can't drive 6 hours round trip to get them. One of them asked, "what happens if we choose not to sign the contract." This is a 16 year old junior counselor who has been at camp as a camper for years, was close with the Boss and who has been trying to get into a power struggle with me all summer. Try again kid, I don't have time for nonsense.

I calmly explained that the contract is just something that shows me that they will be willing to take responsibility for themselves so that my mind can be at ease. I can't be short 4 staff on Monday, it just won't work. If he didn't want to sign the contract, that would say to me he isn't willing to be responsible for himself and perhaps camp is not the right place for him. I would be SO upset to lose another staff, but seriously, don't give me attitude. I'm not dealing with stupid stuff. You are expected to be back by 9am Mondays. Plan ahead, be professional and don't question me. Ugh, I'm so annoyed. And by a 16 year old junior staff. That's even more annoying. He's a kid. Quite honestly, he's not even technically old enough to be here for the full summer. Yet another situation that I have to deal with from the Boss.

I am so annoyed I could scream. I am trying really hard ot be patient and calm and have a sense of humor. But I literally want to rip someone's head off.