Our youngest campers are 7 years old. No matter how many come to camp, I am still always shocked and slightly apprehensive every time they arrive, barely past my waist, unable to lift their sleeping bags and luggage, tiny little kids.
Scene last night- bathroom. I'm standing by the sinks, keeping the shower-line moving and helping kids as they brush their teeth and get ready for bed.
Teeny tiny, little girl walks up to me and tells me she has no toothpaste. I look in her toiletry bag and find a brand new tube.
Tiny- "Well look at that! I've never seen this before!" She's impressed by her travel size toothpaste which, apparently she's never seen before.
I unscrew the cap for her (in her defense, it was on really tight, even for me).
Tiny (eyes like saucers- she is awestruck)- "White?!? I've never seen white toothpaste before!"
Me- "That's the good kind."
Tiny (mystified, breathless)- "What does it taste like?"
Me- "You should brush your teeth and try it out."
After several long moments of putting toothpaste on her brush (7 year olds move like turtles), she finally puts it in her mouth.
Tiny (satisfied)- "Mint!"
Camp is not just about fun activities and keeping bored kids busy during the summer. Camp is an opportunity for kids to learn life skills and develop independence. I hope that as an adult, Tiny remembers the first time she saw white travel toothpaste, and laughs at her youthful innocence. But even if she doesn't remember the moment, I know, in a small way, her experience at camp has already touched her life.
Monday, June 29, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
I Can Sit Down In September
It's officially summer because my lustful fantasies about sitting on my couch doing absolutely nothing have returned. I haven't sat down in a week, and I dream of September when I can put my feet up... But I also really love this part of my job.
Last year, I didn't sit down for weeks at a time and there was a lot of drama, but 99% of it was because of poor planning, poor staff training and completely preventable issues that I was stuck dealing with as I cleaned up the messes of my predecessor. This year, there is still a lot going on and even some drama, however, everything I can prevent has been done and the rest of the situations that pop up are specifically why this job is interesting.
Counselor P has been in the health center resting and recovering since we returned form the hospital in the wee hours Thursday morning. The doctor had said he would be on antibiotics for the next 3 weeks, but he should be feeling better in the next few days. However, he wasn't looking or feeling much better, so when the camp nurse called me in on Friday morning and told me he had been coughing up blood he needed to go back to the hospital, I wasn't shocked.
Fridays are crazy at camp. Organized chaos- I am on top of every detail, but a lot goes on in a short time. Parents arrive at 1 and the closing program goes until 2:35 and getting everything set for the day requires 12 million details all at once. The nurse called me in around 10am, right before the camper closing prayer service. Bleeding staff vs. 12 million details.... I wasn't sure where I was needed more.
I have said the same thing at the camper closing and the parent program for most of last year and both weeks this year and I've pretty much perfected the best combination of serious/meaningful/funny/entertaining that I can. I pretty much lead the entire ceremony, so handing it off to someone else made me a little nervous, but a bleeding staff seemed to be more pressing.
I managed to write about 13 bullet points and rapidly (re- 3 minutes) tell S that I had to go back to the hospital and here's what she would be talking about in my place. I went to the Health Center and checked in with P, ran to my office and then started making a list of what needed to happen in the next two hours and what S needed to do and say for the closing program, but as I got to the second page of notes, I realized P wasn't dying, and whoever was with him would mostly just be sitting around anyway and that attempting to hand this day off to someone would most certainly end in disaster.
I walked into the chapel just as the kids finished singing and S stepped up to the podium. She and I made eye contact and she said, "Okay, now I would like to introduce the Camp Director who is going to lead us in our closing program." I went to the front and said, "welcome. Now I want to introduce A who is going to lead us in the camp prayer." The staff were all sort of shaking their heads at the revolving door or leaders, and looked on as I grabbed S and headed outside. In 40 seconds, I told her that we had to switch, gave her directions to the hospital and made it back inside the chapel to lead the closing ceremony just as the kids finished up the prayer.
Last day activities, lunch and then parents arriving followed. I stood in front of the parents and hosted a very well put together program and then spent the next hour and a half debriefing first with staff, and then with the teen leaders who are here for the weekend. I could almost feel the gloriousness of my couch as I patiently made it through each step of the day. Somewhere during all of this, S called to let me know that P has pneumonia (the tick disease diagnosis from two days before is still maybe correct, or maybe not, we have to wait a week for the results) and would be staying in the hospital for the next few days.
The meetings ended and I realized I should really go to the hospital. S, A and I gathered up some of P's things, headed to the grocery store to buy him some magazines and treats and then to the hospital. Upon arriving, I found out he is in the Intensive Care Unit in a closed room and I would have to wear a mask to go in and see him. He was actually in a pretty good mood and looking significantly better than I'd seen him in a few days, but it was still kind of crazy.
The hospital is 30 minutes away, so by the time I got back to camp, it was early evening. I was excited to still have some time to relax and lay on the couch with my feet up.
Except...
Upon arriving back to camp, I found that the majority of my staff were gathered together as D shaved most of the males' hair into mohawks. Amused, I got totally sucked into the ridiculous situation and Olivia was in heaven because the boy's were in a "let's chase the puppy" mood and so she was the center of attention for most of the night. They chased her while she literally bounced, flopped, flipped and smiled in her bulldog way the whole time. I wanted my couch, but how could I leave all the action?! By the time I got back to my cabin, talked on the phone with my BFF for an hour, checked facebook, etc. there wasn't really time to relax as I was ready to pass out in my bed.
Summer is a crazy, hilarious, dramatic, alternate universe that I have to enjoy while I can and I can sit down in September.
Last year, I didn't sit down for weeks at a time and there was a lot of drama, but 99% of it was because of poor planning, poor staff training and completely preventable issues that I was stuck dealing with as I cleaned up the messes of my predecessor. This year, there is still a lot going on and even some drama, however, everything I can prevent has been done and the rest of the situations that pop up are specifically why this job is interesting.
Counselor P has been in the health center resting and recovering since we returned form the hospital in the wee hours Thursday morning. The doctor had said he would be on antibiotics for the next 3 weeks, but he should be feeling better in the next few days. However, he wasn't looking or feeling much better, so when the camp nurse called me in on Friday morning and told me he had been coughing up blood he needed to go back to the hospital, I wasn't shocked.
Fridays are crazy at camp. Organized chaos- I am on top of every detail, but a lot goes on in a short time. Parents arrive at 1 and the closing program goes until 2:35 and getting everything set for the day requires 12 million details all at once. The nurse called me in around 10am, right before the camper closing prayer service. Bleeding staff vs. 12 million details.... I wasn't sure where I was needed more.
I have said the same thing at the camper closing and the parent program for most of last year and both weeks this year and I've pretty much perfected the best combination of serious/meaningful/funny/entertaining that I can. I pretty much lead the entire ceremony, so handing it off to someone else made me a little nervous, but a bleeding staff seemed to be more pressing.
I managed to write about 13 bullet points and rapidly (re- 3 minutes) tell S that I had to go back to the hospital and here's what she would be talking about in my place. I went to the Health Center and checked in with P, ran to my office and then started making a list of what needed to happen in the next two hours and what S needed to do and say for the closing program, but as I got to the second page of notes, I realized P wasn't dying, and whoever was with him would mostly just be sitting around anyway and that attempting to hand this day off to someone would most certainly end in disaster.
I walked into the chapel just as the kids finished singing and S stepped up to the podium. She and I made eye contact and she said, "Okay, now I would like to introduce the Camp Director who is going to lead us in our closing program." I went to the front and said, "welcome. Now I want to introduce A who is going to lead us in the camp prayer." The staff were all sort of shaking their heads at the revolving door or leaders, and looked on as I grabbed S and headed outside. In 40 seconds, I told her that we had to switch, gave her directions to the hospital and made it back inside the chapel to lead the closing ceremony just as the kids finished up the prayer.
Last day activities, lunch and then parents arriving followed. I stood in front of the parents and hosted a very well put together program and then spent the next hour and a half debriefing first with staff, and then with the teen leaders who are here for the weekend. I could almost feel the gloriousness of my couch as I patiently made it through each step of the day. Somewhere during all of this, S called to let me know that P has pneumonia (the tick disease diagnosis from two days before is still maybe correct, or maybe not, we have to wait a week for the results) and would be staying in the hospital for the next few days.
The meetings ended and I realized I should really go to the hospital. S, A and I gathered up some of P's things, headed to the grocery store to buy him some magazines and treats and then to the hospital. Upon arriving, I found out he is in the Intensive Care Unit in a closed room and I would have to wear a mask to go in and see him. He was actually in a pretty good mood and looking significantly better than I'd seen him in a few days, but it was still kind of crazy.
The hospital is 30 minutes away, so by the time I got back to camp, it was early evening. I was excited to still have some time to relax and lay on the couch with my feet up.
Except...
Upon arriving back to camp, I found that the majority of my staff were gathered together as D shaved most of the males' hair into mohawks. Amused, I got totally sucked into the ridiculous situation and Olivia was in heaven because the boy's were in a "let's chase the puppy" mood and so she was the center of attention for most of the night. They chased her while she literally bounced, flopped, flipped and smiled in her bulldog way the whole time. I wanted my couch, but how could I leave all the action?! By the time I got back to my cabin, talked on the phone with my BFF for an hour, checked facebook, etc. there wasn't really time to relax as I was ready to pass out in my bed.
Summer is a crazy, hilarious, dramatic, alternate universe that I have to enjoy while I can and I can sit down in September.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Prank War
Pranks are as big of a tradition at camp as s'mores and mosquito bites. When done well, I think they are wonderful, memorable and what kids will hold in their memory long after they've forgotten about my extensive programming or well planned activities.
However, I cringe at the thought of pranks because, in my experience, they are not usually well done. 19 year old counselors are still learning about boundaries, how to make good choices and are not always aware of how quickly things can get out of control when you are dealing with ten year olds who have no idea of boundaries nor decision making.
Last year, counselors thought picking up other staff members, carrying them kicking and screaming across camp and throwing them into the lake was great. I outlawed that immediately with my new set of staff this year. It's not that I'm afraid to get wet. It's that kids see that and think it's okay to push other people into the water. They see a lack of respect between staff and, even when the staff being tossed in laughs, it's annoying and can ruin your day (and your watch, cell phone, etc.). It's unsafe in a variety of ways and a great example of a bad prank.
This week, the 4th-6th grade girl cabin played a prank on the boy cabin of the same age. Someone had brought several Jonas Brothers posters to camp and the girls snuck into the boy's cabin and hung them everywhere. When the boys returned, there was screaming and 10 year old outrage over the girly posters. Hilarious.
At the staff debrief meeting, Counselor D talked about the prank as her high of the week and one of the other staff said, "wait, how did the girls get into the cabin when they aren't allowed in that area?" D immediately pointed to Program Director S saying, "I got permission from her to go over to that area!" And S immediately pointed to me and said, "yes, but I got permission from her first!" Everyone thought it was extremely hilarious that the counselors came up with the prank and that both S and I had known about it.
I was happy because it was a great example of a good prank. They got permission, didn't cause damage to anything or do anything unsafe. Kids had specific boundaries. No one was singled out, embarrassed, targeted, or hurt. And it was good, clean fun without negativity or any trace of mean-ness.
I fully encouraged the staff to continue with such ideas (letting them know that asking permission is a prerequisite for all future pranks). Counselor T asked what they should do if they wanted to pull a prank on S. I said, "get permission from me." "And what if we want to prank you?" I told them to get permission from S. When I told my best friend X this story, she said it was funny that I hadn't said, "don't prank me" but I think pranks are hilarious and if they can think of something creative, I welcome anything they can come up with- that's all part of camp and why my job is awesome!
However, I cringe at the thought of pranks because, in my experience, they are not usually well done. 19 year old counselors are still learning about boundaries, how to make good choices and are not always aware of how quickly things can get out of control when you are dealing with ten year olds who have no idea of boundaries nor decision making.
Last year, counselors thought picking up other staff members, carrying them kicking and screaming across camp and throwing them into the lake was great. I outlawed that immediately with my new set of staff this year. It's not that I'm afraid to get wet. It's that kids see that and think it's okay to push other people into the water. They see a lack of respect between staff and, even when the staff being tossed in laughs, it's annoying and can ruin your day (and your watch, cell phone, etc.). It's unsafe in a variety of ways and a great example of a bad prank.
This week, the 4th-6th grade girl cabin played a prank on the boy cabin of the same age. Someone had brought several Jonas Brothers posters to camp and the girls snuck into the boy's cabin and hung them everywhere. When the boys returned, there was screaming and 10 year old outrage over the girly posters. Hilarious.
At the staff debrief meeting, Counselor D talked about the prank as her high of the week and one of the other staff said, "wait, how did the girls get into the cabin when they aren't allowed in that area?" D immediately pointed to Program Director S saying, "I got permission from her to go over to that area!" And S immediately pointed to me and said, "yes, but I got permission from her first!" Everyone thought it was extremely hilarious that the counselors came up with the prank and that both S and I had known about it.
I was happy because it was a great example of a good prank. They got permission, didn't cause damage to anything or do anything unsafe. Kids had specific boundaries. No one was singled out, embarrassed, targeted, or hurt. And it was good, clean fun without negativity or any trace of mean-ness.
I fully encouraged the staff to continue with such ideas (letting them know that asking permission is a prerequisite for all future pranks). Counselor T asked what they should do if they wanted to pull a prank on S. I said, "get permission from me." "And what if we want to prank you?" I told them to get permission from S. When I told my best friend X this story, she said it was funny that I hadn't said, "don't prank me" but I think pranks are hilarious and if they can think of something creative, I welcome anything they can come up with- that's all part of camp and why my job is awesome!
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Hand Crafting
At full capacity, camp can sleep 144 kids. For the past few years and this summer as well, we will average 75 kids per week. Through luck, prayer, a little bit of negligance from the Board and 62 years of history, we have managed to keep going, despite being half full. It's not ideal, but I have been assured and reassured by the Board and so I know that camp will remain open and I just need to be really focused on turning it around.
Less kids isn't ideal. Obviously financially, it's a struggle, but also I find that the more kids we have, the more energy and excitement fills camp, so when there's a small group, it's kind of dull. However, there are some advantages to the small camp size.
The oldest group of campers go on an overnight camping trip each week. They set up tents and cook over the fire. We own a piece of property a little ways away and it is heavily wooded and the perfect place for roughing it in the wilderness.
We figured out that it is 9 miles away by canoe and the boys this week decided that's how they wanted to get there. I was against it. I thought it would take them 4-5 hours and it would be hot and exhausting and I wasn't sure they'd be able to do it. But they practicied canoeing and assured me they were ready.
They made it 9 miles in 2 hours and 57 minutes on the way there and 2 hours and 27 minutes on the way back. They were exhausted, but so proud of themselves. Counselor P came to me afterwards and asked if we could give them some kind of recognition, "just like a paper certificate or something?" He doesn't know me yet.
I don't like paper certificates. That's the easy way out because they take 5 minutes to type up. And kids end up throwing them away just as quickly, because, well, they are lame.
The awards we give out for program areas are AWESOME. Program Director S made BEAUTIFUL trophies. The golden bobber award (for fishing) is a real bobber, glued to a round wood piece, sprayed gold. Super cool, especially if you are a kid who's used to getting lame certificates.
And so when P asked for something for recognition, S and I started brainstorming. It doesn't hurt that we both love crafting and are impressed by spray painted junk- we are the perfect people to create cool stuff kids love.
S has been dying to try out my dad's wood burner. And so we created the Adventurer Award (see photo). On the back, she burned the name of camp and the date. At the closing ceremony, we recognized the boys and handed out the awards and everyone was super jealous and impressed by how cool they were. This week I had also spent some time making candles that we will use with the Leaders-in-Training group
next week. And between the two projects, I realized that maybe having a smaller group isn't all bad. If I had 200 kids a week, I couldn't give such individual attention to kids and highlight the most special accomplishments. And so, for the next few years, I will enjoy the moments I am able to celebrate every little thing. Camp is all about building relationships anyway, so, half capacity, yes, but doing exactly what we are supposed to be- 100%.
Less kids isn't ideal. Obviously financially, it's a struggle, but also I find that the more kids we have, the more energy and excitement fills camp, so when there's a small group, it's kind of dull. However, there are some advantages to the small camp size.
The oldest group of campers go on an overnight camping trip each week. They set up tents and cook over the fire. We own a piece of property a little ways away and it is heavily wooded and the perfect place for roughing it in the wilderness.
We figured out that it is 9 miles away by canoe and the boys this week decided that's how they wanted to get there. I was against it. I thought it would take them 4-5 hours and it would be hot and exhausting and I wasn't sure they'd be able to do it. But they practicied canoeing and assured me they were ready.
They made it 9 miles in 2 hours and 57 minutes on the way there and 2 hours and 27 minutes on the way back. They were exhausted, but so proud of themselves. Counselor P came to me afterwards and asked if we could give them some kind of recognition, "just like a paper certificate or something?" He doesn't know me yet.
I don't like paper certificates. That's the easy way out because they take 5 minutes to type up. And kids end up throwing them away just as quickly, because, well, they are lame.
The awards we give out for program areas are AWESOME. Program Director S made BEAUTIFUL trophies. The golden bobber award (for fishing) is a real bobber, glued to a round wood piece, sprayed gold. Super cool, especially if you are a kid who's used to getting lame certificates.
And so when P asked for something for recognition, S and I started brainstorming. It doesn't hurt that we both love crafting and are impressed by spray painted junk- we are the perfect people to create cool stuff kids love.
S has been dying to try out my dad's wood burner. And so we created the Adventurer Award (see photo). On the back, she burned the name of camp and the date. At the closing ceremony, we recognized the boys and handed out the awards and everyone was super jealous and impressed by how cool they were. This week I had also spent some time making candles that we will use with the Leaders-in-Training group
next week. And between the two projects, I realized that maybe having a smaller group isn't all bad. If I had 200 kids a week, I couldn't give such individual attention to kids and highlight the most special accomplishments. And so, for the next few years, I will enjoy the moments I am able to celebrate every little thing. Camp is all about building relationships anyway, so, half capacity, yes, but doing exactly what we are supposed to be- 100%.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Taking Care...
Yesterday, as we sat in the sweltering chapel, I couldn't help but mentally review emergency procedures as I watched the red-faced priest gush sweat as he stood before us. Not more than 2 minutes after I'd contemplated what to do when he hit the ground, counselor P made eye contact with me, mouthed, "I need help" and then exited the chapel. My first thought was, "like carrying something?" until it occurred to me that for P to leave (he was also fully robed, at the front, serving with the priest), was probably serious.
I left the chapel to find him in only his undershirt, sprawled out on the ground. "Whacha doin'?" I asked him. "Well, I started to black out and everything is spinning, so I thought I'd just lay down for a minute" he said, matter of factly. I ran and got him some cold water, gatorade and a wet towel to put on his head while the camp nurse sat with him. Apparently he thought he might have had a fever prior to chapel, but forgot to take his temperature and was just going to make it through. Apparently also he's been feeling sick for some time, even before the 9 mile canoe trip he'd taken the day before to camp with his campers overnight, and the 9 mile trip home. He hadn't been eating much and probably, in hindsight, not drinking enough.
P is my best counselor. He created a bucket drumline activity. He created a cabin council and had his campers elect leaders amongst themselves. He is enthusiastic, camper focused, has a positive attitude, is helpful and genuinely seems to enjoy everything about camp. We walked him in to the health center slowly as he couldn't stand without help and had his eyes closed tightly, upon laying down in bed, he asked, "so what time do you need me back with the kids?" I told him it wasn't a widely known fact, but if you pass out, you get the night off and until he felt well enough to run across camp singing a silly song, he should stay in the health center.
His temperature was 101, and he slept most of the afternoon. I assumed that he was just overheated, overtired and maybe a bit dehydrated. The nurse was checking on him, but he was sleeping, so I figured he was fine.
At 9:30, so of the staff brought him a get well card from the kids and accidentally woke him up. When he woke up, his entire body hurt and he couldn't see and he asked to go to the emergency room. My job is never dull...
We were in the ER by 10 and 102.6 degree fever sped up the process a great deal, so he quickly had an IV of fluids as they worked on a whole list of tests. By midnight, the doctors were guessing meningitis, and so he had a spinal tap (actually, he had 2 because the doctor couldn't get the needle in the right position, and had to call in another doctor to do it). I was worried about P's health, but also DREADING the letter I was going to have to send home with campers if it was meningitis.
By 2am, the doctor was pretty sure it wasn't meningitis after all, which was a relief for both of us. By that time, P was on some many painkillers and still sick, so he was mostly asleep. The doctor told me he was pretty sure P has one of the tick-borne diseases (besides lyme disease, there are two others). Tick-borne test results take over a week to get back, but either way, he would need antibiotics, so by 3:30am, we were headed home with a prescription and the instruction to have him rest until he got better. Diseases such as lyme's can be treated with antibiotics and aren't permanently damaging as long as they are treated. He had been bit 7-30 days before and is expected to make a full recovery within the next week.
After getting him back into the health center, covered in blankets and a space heater to stop the uncontrollable shivering, I left a note for Program Director S telling her we were back and he was fine and I wouldn't be at breakfast. I was in bed by 4:30am.
Up by 9, and moving around staff so all activities were covered, I haven't sat down since. P has been doing better today, although still very sick. I went to town to get him some bland food and caffeine (which the doctor said he needed to prevent headaches after his spinal tap) and to fill his prescription. When I got back, I found out counselor N was in the staff house basement because she was sick ("why isn't she in the health center?"... no one ever actually answered that for me). When I got to her, she looked BAD. She had a fever of 101 and the camp nurse and I set up another room for her so she could rest as well. More moving around staff, more small cups of 7-up and bowls of applesauce.
After getting her set, I had to take Olivia to the vet in town. She has been limping for a few days and I couldn't let it go on any longer. The vet determined that her paw might have been stung or she stepped on something, and so she gave her an antibiotic shot and some pain pills for the week. My hope is that she recovers quickly and I won't have to make any more vet trips this summer.
Now all that stands between me and my bed is 40 minutes of prayer, the weekly talent show, camper shower and snack time, and then a brief (45 minutes if I'm lucky!!) meeting with the leaders-in-training teens who, according to the leadership development coordinator, need to have a bit of a "coming-to-God" meeting about expectations... I am ready to be done taking care of other people for a little while...
I left the chapel to find him in only his undershirt, sprawled out on the ground. "Whacha doin'?" I asked him. "Well, I started to black out and everything is spinning, so I thought I'd just lay down for a minute" he said, matter of factly. I ran and got him some cold water, gatorade and a wet towel to put on his head while the camp nurse sat with him. Apparently he thought he might have had a fever prior to chapel, but forgot to take his temperature and was just going to make it through. Apparently also he's been feeling sick for some time, even before the 9 mile canoe trip he'd taken the day before to camp with his campers overnight, and the 9 mile trip home. He hadn't been eating much and probably, in hindsight, not drinking enough.
P is my best counselor. He created a bucket drumline activity. He created a cabin council and had his campers elect leaders amongst themselves. He is enthusiastic, camper focused, has a positive attitude, is helpful and genuinely seems to enjoy everything about camp. We walked him in to the health center slowly as he couldn't stand without help and had his eyes closed tightly, upon laying down in bed, he asked, "so what time do you need me back with the kids?" I told him it wasn't a widely known fact, but if you pass out, you get the night off and until he felt well enough to run across camp singing a silly song, he should stay in the health center.
His temperature was 101, and he slept most of the afternoon. I assumed that he was just overheated, overtired and maybe a bit dehydrated. The nurse was checking on him, but he was sleeping, so I figured he was fine.
At 9:30, so of the staff brought him a get well card from the kids and accidentally woke him up. When he woke up, his entire body hurt and he couldn't see and he asked to go to the emergency room. My job is never dull...
We were in the ER by 10 and 102.6 degree fever sped up the process a great deal, so he quickly had an IV of fluids as they worked on a whole list of tests. By midnight, the doctors were guessing meningitis, and so he had a spinal tap (actually, he had 2 because the doctor couldn't get the needle in the right position, and had to call in another doctor to do it). I was worried about P's health, but also DREADING the letter I was going to have to send home with campers if it was meningitis.
By 2am, the doctor was pretty sure it wasn't meningitis after all, which was a relief for both of us. By that time, P was on some many painkillers and still sick, so he was mostly asleep. The doctor told me he was pretty sure P has one of the tick-borne diseases (besides lyme disease, there are two others). Tick-borne test results take over a week to get back, but either way, he would need antibiotics, so by 3:30am, we were headed home with a prescription and the instruction to have him rest until he got better. Diseases such as lyme's can be treated with antibiotics and aren't permanently damaging as long as they are treated. He had been bit 7-30 days before and is expected to make a full recovery within the next week.
After getting him back into the health center, covered in blankets and a space heater to stop the uncontrollable shivering, I left a note for Program Director S telling her we were back and he was fine and I wouldn't be at breakfast. I was in bed by 4:30am.
Up by 9, and moving around staff so all activities were covered, I haven't sat down since. P has been doing better today, although still very sick. I went to town to get him some bland food and caffeine (which the doctor said he needed to prevent headaches after his spinal tap) and to fill his prescription. When I got back, I found out counselor N was in the staff house basement because she was sick ("why isn't she in the health center?"... no one ever actually answered that for me). When I got to her, she looked BAD. She had a fever of 101 and the camp nurse and I set up another room for her so she could rest as well. More moving around staff, more small cups of 7-up and bowls of applesauce.
After getting her set, I had to take Olivia to the vet in town. She has been limping for a few days and I couldn't let it go on any longer. The vet determined that her paw might have been stung or she stepped on something, and so she gave her an antibiotic shot and some pain pills for the week. My hope is that she recovers quickly and I won't have to make any more vet trips this summer.
Now all that stands between me and my bed is 40 minutes of prayer, the weekly talent show, camper shower and snack time, and then a brief (45 minutes if I'm lucky!!) meeting with the leaders-in-training teens who, according to the leadership development coordinator, need to have a bit of a "coming-to-God" meeting about expectations... I am ready to be done taking care of other people for a little while...
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Tie Dye
For 10 years now, tie dye has been "my thing" at camp. I've worked at three different camps, held several different job positions, and have been part of every aspect of camp imaginable, but tie dye has always been a constant.It's not just that I enjoy tie dye and "help out" when it comes time for campers to do this activity. I am passionate about tie dye, obsessing about buying the right brand, the proper way to mix the dye, the technique used to actually dye shirts, not to mention being almost dictator-esque when it comes to managing the dying process with staff and kids. I like being right there when the bands are taken off and the shirts are opened. I have strong opinions about every single aspect of tie dying and get excited every time we do it. I feel protective and territorial about tie dye, despite being the Executive Director, in charge of everything at camp, including several much more important things than an art project. For nearly all of the ten years I've been at camp, tie dye has been a weekly tradition, so I estimate I've tie dyed with kids almost 100 times.
It took 10 years, but I think, as of today, I am officially sick of tie dye. Nothing traumatic or earth shattering happened to cause this break. Yesterday we were supposed to tie dye, but it was raining, so we postponed until today. This week, I've been so sick I can't seem to form coherent sentences, my eyes are drooping shut every moment of the day, and even little kids, who never notice anything have said, "are you okay? You look like you need some medicine." This afternoon, tie dye was set up and ready to go, and it hit me all at once that if I have to participate in this today, my will to live will end this instant. And then I thought, hmmmm, that might be the first time I've felt that way in 10 years... interesting...
Monday, June 22, 2009
Whirlwind
Remember when I had staff arrive and I said that camp was officially here? And then kids arrived and I said camp was officially officially here. I take both of those back. I am wearing the maroon sweatpants I slept in and a lime green tee shirt. I can't remember when I showered last and right before lunch, I was absolutely sure I was going to pass out and I realized it was probably because I didn't eat dinner the night before or breakfast this morning. My life is a whirling tornado of to-do lists, camp songs and needy staff... camp is OFFICIALLY here.
Obviously sitting down to blog in the middle of it seems like a waste of time, except that I think it's probably time to take a moment to collect my thoughts and take some deep breaths, so that's my plan.
The end of last week went well. The first week is always a learning week and last week we had 1st-6th graders, so it was also a really young crowd, which means more tears, more meltdowns, more lost items, more repeating yourself. I love the first week, because the staff usually walks around looking absolutely shocked and in awe, and throughout the week, you can actually see the light bulbs going off above their heads as they realize what I meant during training when I said to be specific and prepare ahead of time. At the end of the week, one of my best counselors ran up to me and said, "do you have 8 quarters? I can pay you back..." I said yes and asked what activity he was doing.
"In hindsight, this was probably a poor choice, but I told the boys (he had ten 8 year olds) if they sat down and were quiet, I would give them each a quarter... I know, bad idea..."
In ten years of camp, that was not a strategy I'd heard before. Hilarious. Pure gold. I gladly gave him the quarters and encouraged him to cash out his paycheck and just carry around a can of change for the rest of the summer.
The week ended with little trauma and no further paying off of campers. We had a staff de-briefing and I literally RAN out of camp, because I had to go home for the weekend and my dad was not-so-patiently waiting to give me a ride as my car is still in the office parking lot from a month ago.
We hit a significant amount of traffice and the puppy desperately wanted to rest her drooly mouth on his leg which caused a bit of conflict between them, but eventualy, puppy and I made it home where I got to watch several tivo-ed episodes of John and Kate Plus 8 and relax for the evening. The next morning, I had to drop Olivia off for eye surgery at 8 am, spent most of the morning rushing around, buying stuff for camp and running errands, picked Olivia up, and then rushed off to a wedding. I got stuck in traffic, and ended up sitting, stopped, for 40 minutes (the length of time it should have taken me to get to the church), missed the wedding, but arrived just in time to walk through the receiving line and tell her what a beautiful ceremony it was. I felt terrible for leaving the recovering puppy, but luckily my wonderful mother went to my house to sit with her while I was at the reception, hanging out with old camp friends and eating cheesecake. Yesterday, I woke up early, ran 15 more errands and then headed back to camp in time for a quick staff meeting and campers arriving.
Right about the time the campers started arriving, so did the rain, and so we checked kids in during a downpour. When the bus arrived, half of the staff and I made an assembly line and literally RAN up and down the hill to the dining hall, to bring all of the luggage from the bus inside while it down poured and the other half of the staff lead the kids in songs and games. When we were finished moving luggage, I was so impressed to walk inside and see the kids organized into circles, happily singing. Despite having about 30 more kids than last week, the staff are more confident, organized and seem to have the hang out what's going on. We also have 4th-9th graders, which is a nice change from the little ones.
At dinner, we ran out of spaghetti noodles, and so I was in the kitchen with our frantic Assistant Cook, who seemed to think I was going to hit him the way he was cowering, but eventually the second batch was done and kids were fed and the schedule wasn't too far off.
Other than a mile-long to-do list and being sick, everything is going very well today and week 2 is off to a great start!
Obviously sitting down to blog in the middle of it seems like a waste of time, except that I think it's probably time to take a moment to collect my thoughts and take some deep breaths, so that's my plan.
The end of last week went well. The first week is always a learning week and last week we had 1st-6th graders, so it was also a really young crowd, which means more tears, more meltdowns, more lost items, more repeating yourself. I love the first week, because the staff usually walks around looking absolutely shocked and in awe, and throughout the week, you can actually see the light bulbs going off above their heads as they realize what I meant during training when I said to be specific and prepare ahead of time. At the end of the week, one of my best counselors ran up to me and said, "do you have 8 quarters? I can pay you back..." I said yes and asked what activity he was doing.
"In hindsight, this was probably a poor choice, but I told the boys (he had ten 8 year olds) if they sat down and were quiet, I would give them each a quarter... I know, bad idea..."
In ten years of camp, that was not a strategy I'd heard before. Hilarious. Pure gold. I gladly gave him the quarters and encouraged him to cash out his paycheck and just carry around a can of change for the rest of the summer.
The week ended with little trauma and no further paying off of campers. We had a staff de-briefing and I literally RAN out of camp, because I had to go home for the weekend and my dad was not-so-patiently waiting to give me a ride as my car is still in the office parking lot from a month ago.
We hit a significant amount of traffice and the puppy desperately wanted to rest her drooly mouth on his leg which caused a bit of conflict between them, but eventualy, puppy and I made it home where I got to watch several tivo-ed episodes of John and Kate Plus 8 and relax for the evening. The next morning, I had to drop Olivia off for eye surgery at 8 am, spent most of the morning rushing around, buying stuff for camp and running errands, picked Olivia up, and then rushed off to a wedding. I got stuck in traffic, and ended up sitting, stopped, for 40 minutes (the length of time it should have taken me to get to the church), missed the wedding, but arrived just in time to walk through the receiving line and tell her what a beautiful ceremony it was. I felt terrible for leaving the recovering puppy, but luckily my wonderful mother went to my house to sit with her while I was at the reception, hanging out with old camp friends and eating cheesecake. Yesterday, I woke up early, ran 15 more errands and then headed back to camp in time for a quick staff meeting and campers arriving.
Right about the time the campers started arriving, so did the rain, and so we checked kids in during a downpour. When the bus arrived, half of the staff and I made an assembly line and literally RAN up and down the hill to the dining hall, to bring all of the luggage from the bus inside while it down poured and the other half of the staff lead the kids in songs and games. When we were finished moving luggage, I was so impressed to walk inside and see the kids organized into circles, happily singing. Despite having about 30 more kids than last week, the staff are more confident, organized and seem to have the hang out what's going on. We also have 4th-9th graders, which is a nice change from the little ones.
At dinner, we ran out of spaghetti noodles, and so I was in the kitchen with our frantic Assistant Cook, who seemed to think I was going to hit him the way he was cowering, but eventually the second batch was done and kids were fed and the schedule wasn't too far off.
Other than a mile-long to-do list and being sick, everything is going very well today and week 2 is off to a great start!
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Bugs and Robbers
11pm Monday night, I was just drifting off to sleep, ready for sweet dreams of Thai food and Tivo, when I heard my front door open. I was out of bed and dressed before I heard my name being called.
The second night of the summer and counselor C was standing at my door. It was her co-counselor L's night off and she looked slightly frazzled as she explained, "All 8 of them (her 9 year old girls) are crying and I can't get them to stop and so I asked them if I should go get you and they said it would help. Can you come to my cabin?"
Homesickness is the worst when kids get over-tired and once one starts crying, the rest will usually follow. I had absolutely no plan as I walked across camp towards the crying cabin and when I arrived, they were all huddled together on 2 beds. And so, as I'd just finished repeating to the counselors over and over during training, I started with a question- I asked what was upsetting all of them.
It turns out, they were scared.
Of what?
Bugs and robbers.
"Well, you're lucky, because other than mosquitoes, which bite, but just make you itch, we don't have any biting bugs at this camp." As I told them that, I ignored the memories of the fat, hairy, silver dollar-sized spiders I have killed so many times, all over camp. "And as for robbers, you don't have to worry about that either because our Property Manager is not only responsible for fixing things, he also guards camp at night. He walks around and makes sure we are safe."
They accepted both lies without question and then I walked around and checked everyone's beds for bugs. Once we determined they were bug-free, the girls got back into bed. I had all of them say their favorite thing of the day, explaining that happy thoughts help you sleep. One girl mentioned that Olivia had been her favorite part of the day, so then I spent the next 10 minutes telling them stories about her chewing up the couch and eating my office chair until the girls started laughing and were much calmer. Eventually I turned out the lights and stood in the middle of a dark cabin until I heard them start to fall asleep.
Afterwards, I had to sprint back to my cabin because camp is dark and scary at night, and they had a point about the bugs and robbers.
Last night, anticipating the same overtired homesick crying situation, I had a plan. X is still here, helping me with ridiculous projects, so she and I cut and tied 7 fleece pillows. We left one side open and the stuffing out and I found some wooden hearts. I went to the cabin before bed and we had a long talk about self confidence and relying on inner strength and being proud of yourself. As we stuffed the pillows, we talked about them being a representation of holding all of our good qualities that make us strong and overnight, if anyone got scared, to hold onto their pillow and remember that they can get through it. They each went around the circle and said the quality they are most proud of and put the heart inside the pillow to represent it.
When I left, they seemed calm and ready for bed. This morning their counselors told me they fell right to sleep as soon as I left. Either the pillows were a success or they were just really tired from being up late the night before, but either way, I didn't have to get up at 11 and comfort anyone.
The second night of the summer and counselor C was standing at my door. It was her co-counselor L's night off and she looked slightly frazzled as she explained, "All 8 of them (her 9 year old girls) are crying and I can't get them to stop and so I asked them if I should go get you and they said it would help. Can you come to my cabin?"
Homesickness is the worst when kids get over-tired and once one starts crying, the rest will usually follow. I had absolutely no plan as I walked across camp towards the crying cabin and when I arrived, they were all huddled together on 2 beds. And so, as I'd just finished repeating to the counselors over and over during training, I started with a question- I asked what was upsetting all of them.
It turns out, they were scared.
Of what?
Bugs and robbers.
"Well, you're lucky, because other than mosquitoes, which bite, but just make you itch, we don't have any biting bugs at this camp." As I told them that, I ignored the memories of the fat, hairy, silver dollar-sized spiders I have killed so many times, all over camp. "And as for robbers, you don't have to worry about that either because our Property Manager is not only responsible for fixing things, he also guards camp at night. He walks around and makes sure we are safe."
They accepted both lies without question and then I walked around and checked everyone's beds for bugs. Once we determined they were bug-free, the girls got back into bed. I had all of them say their favorite thing of the day, explaining that happy thoughts help you sleep. One girl mentioned that Olivia had been her favorite part of the day, so then I spent the next 10 minutes telling them stories about her chewing up the couch and eating my office chair until the girls started laughing and were much calmer. Eventually I turned out the lights and stood in the middle of a dark cabin until I heard them start to fall asleep.
Afterwards, I had to sprint back to my cabin because camp is dark and scary at night, and they had a point about the bugs and robbers.
Last night, anticipating the same overtired homesick crying situation, I had a plan. X is still here, helping me with ridiculous projects, so she and I cut and tied 7 fleece pillows. We left one side open and the stuffing out and I found some wooden hearts. I went to the cabin before bed and we had a long talk about self confidence and relying on inner strength and being proud of yourself. As we stuffed the pillows, we talked about them being a representation of holding all of our good qualities that make us strong and overnight, if anyone got scared, to hold onto their pillow and remember that they can get through it. They each went around the circle and said the quality they are most proud of and put the heart inside the pillow to represent it.
When I left, they seemed calm and ready for bed. This morning their counselors told me they fell right to sleep as soon as I left. Either the pillows were a success or they were just really tired from being up late the night before, but either way, I didn't have to get up at 11 and comfort anyone.
Monday, June 15, 2009
The Camp Elf
Camp has an elf. He is a nice elf who lives at camp and sprinkles happiness dust and rays of sunshine-fun all over. He is responsible for making camp a happy, magical place.
The camp elf has been at camp for hundreds of years but for many years, the staff kept the elf a secret from the kids because they didn't want to share the magic. So some of the longtime campers have never heard of the elf.
But this year, we have the nicest staff in all the land, and so they have shared the secret and, AMAZING, someone discovered the door to the elf's house.
Rumor has it if you write the elf a letter, he will write you a letter back. And so for the past few days, kids have been visiting the elf door and sticking letters into the hole and counselors have been catching my eye throughout the day to mouth "elf" and I have been sneaking off to retrieve and respond to the letters.
Before coming to camp, I bought a special paper punch that cuts out tiny envelopes (less than an inch once they have been folded). My best friend X is here this week to follow me around and help me with little projects, and so last night, she punched and glued several dozen mini envelopes out of fancy paper. I created a tiny mailbox that is inside the elf door so that kids can find their letters. And I have been responding to their questions about elf families, elf jobs and encouraging them to have fun at camp.
One very smart 9 year old pointed out that it was probably me and when I denied it, telling her I was much too busy to spend my time doing such things, she asked me to prove it by giving her a handwriting sample. Smarter than a 9 year old, I'd already thought of that and have been writing the letters to look different than my everyday writing.
I am concerned that by the end of the week, I'm going to have to write 50 mini letters, but so far, it's a very fun, very cute addition to camp.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Looking Back, Looking Ahead
In a few hours, the first campers of the summer will arrive. I am excited and ready and checking off all of the last minute lists, making sure we are prepared. I feel calm and confident and optimistic. May was a roller coaster of excitement followed by stress followed by excitement and so on, but I've reflected on the past year and come to peace with the summer ahead.
A year ago today, I was being verbally abused by my boss in vicious, confusing manner that I have never before experienced and never again will tolerate. My passion for camp and desire to one day run an overnight camp stopped me every time I prepared to pack my stuff and never look back. Two days into the first week of camp, the Board of Directors called me and let me know that when the BOSS came home for the weekend, they were going to meet with him and he wouldn't be coming back, and, by the way, did I think I could run camp by myself this summer? With a level of confidence that could only come from being completely unaware, I said, "of course". Months before, I'd been a Senior Coordinator with several bosses above me running a day camp. Was I qualified... most definitely... Ignorance, it turns out, really is bliss.
Recently I was looking through photos from last summer and found one of myself I'd not seen before. I have deep, dark circles under my eyes and I look numb, exhausted and shocked. I didn't know I had looked like that, but looking back, that sums it up pretty accurately. Half of my staff hated me because they thought I got the BOSS fired on purpose so I could take over. Many of the staff were helpful but aware that I was in over my head, and all of us seemed to be wandering around, unsure of what to do next and no amount of fake confidence from me could inspire and lead such a group. Camp had piles of broken furniture and garbage everywhere and buildings were in disrepair. I looked around often and thought, "who the hell thought it was a good idea to put a 26 year old in charge of this garbage dump of a camp?!?"
Months before, I had been out at a school recruiting campers, I remember a parent walking by and asking which camp I was from and when I said the name, she literally shuddered and "oh." She quickly apologized and explained that she didn't mean any disrespect towards me but her child had been there the year before and had a bad experience. I had heard that message over and over again, and once I was actually at camp last summer, I finally understood. I shuddered a lot last summer too.
Somehow, we made it through and had a safe, fun summer with our campers.
I spent September-May bound and determined to turn this camp around. After a meeting with the Executive Committee of the Board, during which they told me that the property itself was worth several million dollars and, in theory, we could go into debt up to that before we shut down, and that after 61 years of camp, they were committed to remaining open, and so I should just go forward and try to fix it- I realized that the bar was set pretty low and as long as I didn't open several credit cards and run up hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt, or get sent to rehab for a gambling problem, I would be doing better than the last few directors. Once again I wondered who thought an inexperienced 26 year old was the best choice for this task, but I charged ahead, sending out a monthly newsletter, contacting alumni, asking people for support, calling my old bosses asking for direction so I could make up policies and procedures. I did my best to ignore the negativity that came before me. My dad spent the same 9 months building, repairing, hauling garbage, and trying to get the property in order.
Years of bad reputation, messed up budget, garbage dump of a camp be damned, we will succeed.
And then the economy fell apart and we added that to my battle and as we looked at registration this May, I was crushed to see that we weren't even where we had been last year (I'd expected to grow by at least 100 or more campers) and I spent several days deflated, unsure of how to go on. How do you keep fighting when you don't ever seem to get ahead? What was the point?
But eventually, I looked around camp and noticed that, 9 months and 5 extra large dumpsters later, there weren't any piles of garbage anywhere. A beautiful, custom made sign marked the entrance to camp, as well as flowers in the planter and neatly trimmed grass. Buildings were clean and organized, cabin steps and trim were freshly painted, broken windows fixed and camp looked nice. One of the new staff had gone around and taken photos of literally every inch of camp and posted them to her facebook page. Several of her friends that work for another camp had commented on how pretty our camp is and how much they wished their camp looked like that and I realized that we aren't the dump we were just one year ago.
I begin this summer with only 3 returning staff who, somehow made it through last year with a lot of confidence in me and an almost entirely new staff who keep making comments to me about how excited they are to be working here and how much my passion inspires them (their words, not mine). My summer of learning by making mistake after mistake led me to make hundreds of changes to the schedule and prepare for many things that I was surprised by last year, so I go into the summer feeling much more knowledgeable and ready.
Our registration isn't where I expected it to be and I am disappointed, but I know that I worked hard and did everything that I could and that this camp has years worth of issues to overcome that I can't fix in 9 months. And so, I have two options: I can let stress and anxiety and all of the remaining problems crush me OR I can choose to ignore them, knowing that I have long term and short term goals, a vision for the future and a desire to work hard and problem solve, and in the meantime, I will not dwell. In the meantime, I will celebrate every small success. I will remain positive and I will give every bit of love and passion and care that I have in me to this camp. I will lead my staff with kindness and enthusiasm and encouragement. And whether there are 30 kids or 300 kids in front of us, we will provide a quality program that leaves kids feeling connected to camp, cared for and having had the best experience. My staff and I are going to spend this summer pouring out love and positive energy and beautiful spirit that will wrap this camp and all of our campers in a golden light that can only be described as camp magic. And in doing so, our lives will be changed, our camper's lives will be changed, and gradually, this camp will succeed.
In order for this to happen, I need to be a leader that remains focused, optimistic, and faces difficulties head on. There will be challenges this summer and the journey ahead of this camp is long. I can drag my feet with heavy steps, or I can leap, bounce, dance, and skip forward enjoying the adventure of it. Either way, we're moving forward, so I might well make the most of it.
So here we go... let the summer begin!!!!!!!!!!!!
A year ago today, I was being verbally abused by my boss in vicious, confusing manner that I have never before experienced and never again will tolerate. My passion for camp and desire to one day run an overnight camp stopped me every time I prepared to pack my stuff and never look back. Two days into the first week of camp, the Board of Directors called me and let me know that when the BOSS came home for the weekend, they were going to meet with him and he wouldn't be coming back, and, by the way, did I think I could run camp by myself this summer? With a level of confidence that could only come from being completely unaware, I said, "of course". Months before, I'd been a Senior Coordinator with several bosses above me running a day camp. Was I qualified... most definitely... Ignorance, it turns out, really is bliss.
Recently I was looking through photos from last summer and found one of myself I'd not seen before. I have deep, dark circles under my eyes and I look numb, exhausted and shocked. I didn't know I had looked like that, but looking back, that sums it up pretty accurately. Half of my staff hated me because they thought I got the BOSS fired on purpose so I could take over. Many of the staff were helpful but aware that I was in over my head, and all of us seemed to be wandering around, unsure of what to do next and no amount of fake confidence from me could inspire and lead such a group. Camp had piles of broken furniture and garbage everywhere and buildings were in disrepair. I looked around often and thought, "who the hell thought it was a good idea to put a 26 year old in charge of this garbage dump of a camp?!?"
Months before, I had been out at a school recruiting campers, I remember a parent walking by and asking which camp I was from and when I said the name, she literally shuddered and "oh." She quickly apologized and explained that she didn't mean any disrespect towards me but her child had been there the year before and had a bad experience. I had heard that message over and over again, and once I was actually at camp last summer, I finally understood. I shuddered a lot last summer too.
Somehow, we made it through and had a safe, fun summer with our campers.
I spent September-May bound and determined to turn this camp around. After a meeting with the Executive Committee of the Board, during which they told me that the property itself was worth several million dollars and, in theory, we could go into debt up to that before we shut down, and that after 61 years of camp, they were committed to remaining open, and so I should just go forward and try to fix it- I realized that the bar was set pretty low and as long as I didn't open several credit cards and run up hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt, or get sent to rehab for a gambling problem, I would be doing better than the last few directors. Once again I wondered who thought an inexperienced 26 year old was the best choice for this task, but I charged ahead, sending out a monthly newsletter, contacting alumni, asking people for support, calling my old bosses asking for direction so I could make up policies and procedures. I did my best to ignore the negativity that came before me. My dad spent the same 9 months building, repairing, hauling garbage, and trying to get the property in order.
Years of bad reputation, messed up budget, garbage dump of a camp be damned, we will succeed.
And then the economy fell apart and we added that to my battle and as we looked at registration this May, I was crushed to see that we weren't even where we had been last year (I'd expected to grow by at least 100 or more campers) and I spent several days deflated, unsure of how to go on. How do you keep fighting when you don't ever seem to get ahead? What was the point?
But eventually, I looked around camp and noticed that, 9 months and 5 extra large dumpsters later, there weren't any piles of garbage anywhere. A beautiful, custom made sign marked the entrance to camp, as well as flowers in the planter and neatly trimmed grass. Buildings were clean and organized, cabin steps and trim were freshly painted, broken windows fixed and camp looked nice. One of the new staff had gone around and taken photos of literally every inch of camp and posted them to her facebook page. Several of her friends that work for another camp had commented on how pretty our camp is and how much they wished their camp looked like that and I realized that we aren't the dump we were just one year ago.
I begin this summer with only 3 returning staff who, somehow made it through last year with a lot of confidence in me and an almost entirely new staff who keep making comments to me about how excited they are to be working here and how much my passion inspires them (their words, not mine). My summer of learning by making mistake after mistake led me to make hundreds of changes to the schedule and prepare for many things that I was surprised by last year, so I go into the summer feeling much more knowledgeable and ready.
Our registration isn't where I expected it to be and I am disappointed, but I know that I worked hard and did everything that I could and that this camp has years worth of issues to overcome that I can't fix in 9 months. And so, I have two options: I can let stress and anxiety and all of the remaining problems crush me OR I can choose to ignore them, knowing that I have long term and short term goals, a vision for the future and a desire to work hard and problem solve, and in the meantime, I will not dwell. In the meantime, I will celebrate every small success. I will remain positive and I will give every bit of love and passion and care that I have in me to this camp. I will lead my staff with kindness and enthusiasm and encouragement. And whether there are 30 kids or 300 kids in front of us, we will provide a quality program that leaves kids feeling connected to camp, cared for and having had the best experience. My staff and I are going to spend this summer pouring out love and positive energy and beautiful spirit that will wrap this camp and all of our campers in a golden light that can only be described as camp magic. And in doing so, our lives will be changed, our camper's lives will be changed, and gradually, this camp will succeed.
In order for this to happen, I need to be a leader that remains focused, optimistic, and faces difficulties head on. There will be challenges this summer and the journey ahead of this camp is long. I can drag my feet with heavy steps, or I can leap, bounce, dance, and skip forward enjoying the adventure of it. Either way, we're moving forward, so I might well make the most of it.
So here we go... let the summer begin!!!!!!!!!!!!
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Taconite
Today, on my one day of rest, I loaded 5 of my staff into the van and drove an hour and half away to one of the nearby bigger cities, to go on a wild goose chase. I had ZERO desire to spend my day in this way, however, I did not have a choice...
My dad built a new, very cool, slingshot range for camp this year. The two other camps in this area have them and I am excited to add it into our programming for the summer. Last year, my dad and I toured the other two camps and both Directors explained that the kids use taconite pellets to shoot and they get this ammunition by going to aforementioned Big City and collecting them near the railroad tracks. They couldn't tell me a specific location, but encouraged me it is very easy to find. (Uh huh. Good bye day off...). Last night, I considered getting some black clothing and ski masks and sneaking into the other camps to steal their taconite, because that seemed easier, but eventually decided I should just go try to find my own.
We've been meaning to do this for a month, but haven't gotten around to it and campers come tomorrow, so I knew I had to go today. I offered up free ice cream to anyone who wanted to help and thankfully, 5 wonderful people joined me on this adventure.
The city we went to is big and I had no idea where to begin. I was very concerned we would never find the right railroad tracks, but, guided by A (a girl who is from out of state and has never before been to this big city, but had a lot of navigational confidence), it took us less than 30 minutes to find some tracks, follow them along, get out a few times, and eventually come across a hill that was covered in taconite. We used our hands to scoop big piles into several 5 gallon buckets, and then headed to the nearest restaurant for lunch (which had become my new offering when I realized I only had 5 helpers and it was around lunchtime).
Sometimes my job is ridiculous and I shake my head, wondering how I end up on crazy adventures, but that's why I love it. And, now our camp has slingshot ammo, so all in all, it was a successful day!
My dad built a new, very cool, slingshot range for camp this year. The two other camps in this area have them and I am excited to add it into our programming for the summer. Last year, my dad and I toured the other two camps and both Directors explained that the kids use taconite pellets to shoot and they get this ammunition by going to aforementioned Big City and collecting them near the railroad tracks. They couldn't tell me a specific location, but encouraged me it is very easy to find. (Uh huh. Good bye day off...). Last night, I considered getting some black clothing and ski masks and sneaking into the other camps to steal their taconite, because that seemed easier, but eventually decided I should just go try to find my own.
We've been meaning to do this for a month, but haven't gotten around to it and campers come tomorrow, so I knew I had to go today. I offered up free ice cream to anyone who wanted to help and thankfully, 5 wonderful people joined me on this adventure.
The city we went to is big and I had no idea where to begin. I was very concerned we would never find the right railroad tracks, but, guided by A (a girl who is from out of state and has never before been to this big city, but had a lot of navigational confidence), it took us less than 30 minutes to find some tracks, follow them along, get out a few times, and eventually come across a hill that was covered in taconite. We used our hands to scoop big piles into several 5 gallon buckets, and then headed to the nearest restaurant for lunch (which had become my new offering when I realized I only had 5 helpers and it was around lunchtime).
Sometimes my job is ridiculous and I shake my head, wondering how I end up on crazy adventures, but that's why I love it. And, now our camp has slingshot ammo, so all in all, it was a successful day!
Staff Training
Staff training ended yesterday and I flopped down on the couch, unwilling to move, talk or think almost immediately. Time to breath, gather my thoughts and get some much needed rest.
Training ran Friday-Friday, 7:30am-9:30pm every day with little time to pause. The goal is to prepare staff for the intense schedule they will have this summer so that they can learn how to remain upbeat, focused and professional, even when they're tired, frustrated and have had little personal time. Training is a great time to see their real personality and see how they react under pressure. It's not uncommon to lose a staff or two during training week because they realize it is just too demanding for them.
On Friday, we kicked off the week with a full 2 hours of name games, icebreakers, silly group games and team building activities. I wanted them to get comfortable with each other quickly, and there's no better way to do that then making them be goofy. I spend all year preparing for camp and have talked about little else besides my undying passionate love for camp for nearly ten years now, but I still somehow forget from one year to the next just how fabulous and purely joyful it is to be standing in the middle of a group, singing a ridiculous song about a moose or a princess at the top of your lungs while doing the accompanying hand motions. I am convinced that there is nothing better in the entire world. Leading the staff though songs and games is like an avalanche of fun- it starts off fun and exciting and builds and builds until it becomes bigger than yourself and you are standing there enveloped in the most intensely positive energy you can imagine. I often can't believe this is my job and they are paying me to be here.
The week was filled with instruction on how to teach activities, manage behavior, prevent (and/or respond to) emergencies, lessons about why we do what we do and how to do it well, team building and learning to work together (and helping them bond as a group), and many other things to help prepare them for the summer ahead. This is my tenth training (7th that I have lead or helped lead in some way) and I think it is the best yet. It was the most interactive, most practical, most activity based training ever. I think I taught the staff a lot, but I did so 99% through activities and only 1% explaining/lecturing. I am very proud of this training and feel like it was really useful.
They staff was exceptional and may be one of the best groups I have ever worked with. Other than my three lead staff, they are an entirely new group, which allowed me to start over and move past any mistakes from last year. This is the first year since becoming a Camp Director that I haven't been "new" (2006 I ran a camp-like program for the first time, 2007- first time Camp Director, 2008- first year here) and I didn't have to re-establish or prove myself as knowing what I am doing. I could confidently stand up and say, "here's how it works, this is my way, this is the way we do it." without hearing, "that's not how we did it last year." It was fabulous. I personally chose each person who is on staff this year and I am so proud of my hiring ability (which has taken years to hone). This is a group of interesting, creative, hilarious, dedicated people who have a variety of strengths and come together as a beautiful mosaic of talent. They surprised me and made me proud day after day in each activity we did.
Also for the first time, I have truly felt a difference in my age compared to my staff. I have a VERY young staff this year (other than my dad, the next oldest staff to me is 22). Being close in age to my past staff members was the greatest challenge over the last few years. It has been a difficult balance between wanting to fit in with them and be included in the group, not knowing the boundary of how to be a leader versus a friend, struggling to be an authority figure and have my staff have confidence in me while being so close in age and overall just feeling lonely and separated because I wasn't a peer. This year, as I met staff for the first time, something just felt different and I definitely felt older than them. For the first time, I could see them as my staff (the people I am here to lead, teach, guide, supervise) and not the people who would become my new friends. It is a good feeling because I finally feel comfortable in my position and in my relationship with them. During training, I was able to tell them, "I'm not here to be your friend, I am here to help you through this summer, so come to me when you need guidance." I didn't feel like a faker and I could tell they took me seriously. I feel more secure and in control as we go into the summer because I know this group of people respects me and will listen to me as their leader.
I am very excited to begin the summer and put all of the training into action. I think it is going to be a wonderful 10 weeks.
Training ran Friday-Friday, 7:30am-9:30pm every day with little time to pause. The goal is to prepare staff for the intense schedule they will have this summer so that they can learn how to remain upbeat, focused and professional, even when they're tired, frustrated and have had little personal time. Training is a great time to see their real personality and see how they react under pressure. It's not uncommon to lose a staff or two during training week because they realize it is just too demanding for them.
On Friday, we kicked off the week with a full 2 hours of name games, icebreakers, silly group games and team building activities. I wanted them to get comfortable with each other quickly, and there's no better way to do that then making them be goofy. I spend all year preparing for camp and have talked about little else besides my undying passionate love for camp for nearly ten years now, but I still somehow forget from one year to the next just how fabulous and purely joyful it is to be standing in the middle of a group, singing a ridiculous song about a moose or a princess at the top of your lungs while doing the accompanying hand motions. I am convinced that there is nothing better in the entire world. Leading the staff though songs and games is like an avalanche of fun- it starts off fun and exciting and builds and builds until it becomes bigger than yourself and you are standing there enveloped in the most intensely positive energy you can imagine. I often can't believe this is my job and they are paying me to be here.
The week was filled with instruction on how to teach activities, manage behavior, prevent (and/or respond to) emergencies, lessons about why we do what we do and how to do it well, team building and learning to work together (and helping them bond as a group), and many other things to help prepare them for the summer ahead. This is my tenth training (7th that I have lead or helped lead in some way) and I think it is the best yet. It was the most interactive, most practical, most activity based training ever. I think I taught the staff a lot, but I did so 99% through activities and only 1% explaining/lecturing. I am very proud of this training and feel like it was really useful.
They staff was exceptional and may be one of the best groups I have ever worked with. Other than my three lead staff, they are an entirely new group, which allowed me to start over and move past any mistakes from last year. This is the first year since becoming a Camp Director that I haven't been "new" (2006 I ran a camp-like program for the first time, 2007- first time Camp Director, 2008- first year here) and I didn't have to re-establish or prove myself as knowing what I am doing. I could confidently stand up and say, "here's how it works, this is my way, this is the way we do it." without hearing, "that's not how we did it last year." It was fabulous. I personally chose each person who is on staff this year and I am so proud of my hiring ability (which has taken years to hone). This is a group of interesting, creative, hilarious, dedicated people who have a variety of strengths and come together as a beautiful mosaic of talent. They surprised me and made me proud day after day in each activity we did.
Also for the first time, I have truly felt a difference in my age compared to my staff. I have a VERY young staff this year (other than my dad, the next oldest staff to me is 22). Being close in age to my past staff members was the greatest challenge over the last few years. It has been a difficult balance between wanting to fit in with them and be included in the group, not knowing the boundary of how to be a leader versus a friend, struggling to be an authority figure and have my staff have confidence in me while being so close in age and overall just feeling lonely and separated because I wasn't a peer. This year, as I met staff for the first time, something just felt different and I definitely felt older than them. For the first time, I could see them as my staff (the people I am here to lead, teach, guide, supervise) and not the people who would become my new friends. It is a good feeling because I finally feel comfortable in my position and in my relationship with them. During training, I was able to tell them, "I'm not here to be your friend, I am here to help you through this summer, so come to me when you need guidance." I didn't feel like a faker and I could tell they took me seriously. I feel more secure and in control as we go into the summer because I know this group of people respects me and will listen to me as their leader.
I am very excited to begin the summer and put all of the training into action. I think it is going to be a wonderful 10 weeks.
Friday, June 12, 2009
The Overnight
Our oldest campers go on an overnight camping trip and so, for our last night of staff training, we went on the same trip. Last year during training we had the overnight planned, but the Executive Director let me know that he wouldn't be joining us because he "didn't camp" and I wasn't excited to go either, so when it looked like it might rain, I opted to talk about it instead of actually go.
But this year, I decided that, for better or worse, we were going and that was that. Despite being an overnight camp, we aren't super wilderness-y. The staff has varying degrees of experience with camping, and I was concerned that some of them might break down during the overnight, but I was pleasantly surprised when we had a wonderful time.
We hiked out to the site (camp owns a piece of property nearby but heavily wooded). The site is almost a mile into the woods, and I carried Olivia in a large canvas backpack for about half of the walk. At home, when we go for walks, she will go three blocks and then sit down, so I didn't think I could have her hike all the way in. Around the time I thought I would collapse and die (50 pounds of baby bulldog is a lot when you are also carrying a pack on your back), she seemed interested in walking, so I put her down. Without even a second glance in my direction, she charged ahead to the front of the line, cutting off every counselor in her path, to lead the way to the site as if she had been there a million times before. Despite the ridiculous amounts of money I spend on her treats and toys, and my unconditional love and devotion, she has fallen madly in love with the Maintenance Assistant and ignores me completely whenever he is around. And so they led us to the site.
Upon arriving, we set up tents and started a fire. The staff explored the area and relaxed. We cooked spaghetti over the fire and then learned some fun nature activities to do with the kids. I also had the staff fill out some goal sheets and we talked a bit about personal development and the experience of working at camp this summer. The evening was spent eating s'mores and playing games around the fire.
Olivia was right at home, sitting in the circle with the group and running after them as the hiked around. She is so social and absolutely loves being with people. Several times this week, I have run back to the cabin to answer emails or type something up while S led the staff through games or activities. It never fails that, upon letting Olivia outside, she goes missing and I end up screaming her name at the top of my lungs, fearing that she has been killed or is lost in the forest. Each time that has happened (multiple times), one of the staff will call my cell phone and say, "we can hear you from across camp, but she's at the archery range with us." She manages to find them wherever they are and gets right into the circle to participate. During the overnight was no different, and despite my initial hesitation in taking an 8 month old puppy camping, she had a great time.
A few years ago, I spent a lot of money on a really nice sleeping bag. However, I wasn't thinking about camping when I packed for camp, and so it is sitting on the top shelf of my closet, and I had to borrow one instead. It turns out, I grabbed a kids sleeping bag and it was too small to zip all the way. I had also brought a fleece blanket for Olivia, but both of us ended up with our heads under the sleeping bag (as much as we could manage due to the small size) and blanket because it was somewhere in the 40 degree range overnight. Dirty and smelly as she was after a day in the woods, I was happy for the extra warmth she provided. After a breakfast of pancakes and sort of hash browns (a good idea from our cook, but potatoes take a long time to soften up and didn't quite work over the fire), we packed up and headed back to camp.
Other than a cold, sleepless night and a too-short sleeping bag, it was a great experience and another opportunity for the group to bond. I am happy it is the last day of training because I am so exhausted I feel like I might pass out, but I am proud of my staff for camping!
But this year, I decided that, for better or worse, we were going and that was that. Despite being an overnight camp, we aren't super wilderness-y. The staff has varying degrees of experience with camping, and I was concerned that some of them might break down during the overnight, but I was pleasantly surprised when we had a wonderful time.
We hiked out to the site (camp owns a piece of property nearby but heavily wooded). The site is almost a mile into the woods, and I carried Olivia in a large canvas backpack for about half of the walk. At home, when we go for walks, she will go three blocks and then sit down, so I didn't think I could have her hike all the way in. Around the time I thought I would collapse and die (50 pounds of baby bulldog is a lot when you are also carrying a pack on your back), she seemed interested in walking, so I put her down. Without even a second glance in my direction, she charged ahead to the front of the line, cutting off every counselor in her path, to lead the way to the site as if she had been there a million times before. Despite the ridiculous amounts of money I spend on her treats and toys, and my unconditional love and devotion, she has fallen madly in love with the Maintenance Assistant and ignores me completely whenever he is around. And so they led us to the site.
Upon arriving, we set up tents and started a fire. The staff explored the area and relaxed. We cooked spaghetti over the fire and then learned some fun nature activities to do with the kids. I also had the staff fill out some goal sheets and we talked a bit about personal development and the experience of working at camp this summer. The evening was spent eating s'mores and playing games around the fire.
Olivia was right at home, sitting in the circle with the group and running after them as the hiked around. She is so social and absolutely loves being with people. Several times this week, I have run back to the cabin to answer emails or type something up while S led the staff through games or activities. It never fails that, upon letting Olivia outside, she goes missing and I end up screaming her name at the top of my lungs, fearing that she has been killed or is lost in the forest. Each time that has happened (multiple times), one of the staff will call my cell phone and say, "we can hear you from across camp, but she's at the archery range with us." She manages to find them wherever they are and gets right into the circle to participate. During the overnight was no different, and despite my initial hesitation in taking an 8 month old puppy camping, she had a great time.
A few years ago, I spent a lot of money on a really nice sleeping bag. However, I wasn't thinking about camping when I packed for camp, and so it is sitting on the top shelf of my closet, and I had to borrow one instead. It turns out, I grabbed a kids sleeping bag and it was too small to zip all the way. I had also brought a fleece blanket for Olivia, but both of us ended up with our heads under the sleeping bag (as much as we could manage due to the small size) and blanket because it was somewhere in the 40 degree range overnight. Dirty and smelly as she was after a day in the woods, I was happy for the extra warmth she provided. After a breakfast of pancakes and sort of hash browns (a good idea from our cook, but potatoes take a long time to soften up and didn't quite work over the fire), we packed up and headed back to camp.
Other than a cold, sleepless night and a too-short sleeping bag, it was a great experience and another opportunity for the group to bond. I am happy it is the last day of training because I am so exhausted I feel like I might pass out, but I am proud of my staff for camping!
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Tipping Canoes
Today the staff learned to tip canoes. I was dreading it more than anyone, although I kept telling them how fun it would be. It has been in the 60s and rainy and I wasn't looking forward to getting into the cold lake.
Last year I was also dreading the experience and decided it would be fine to explain the process instead of practicing. Halfway though the summer, the staff took a weekend canoe trip across the lake and one group accidentally tipped over. No one knew how to get the water out of the canoe and the people back in and so I found myself training them while we floated in the middle of a windy, wavy lake with two staff panicking in the water.
And so this year, we practiced. Because I have a firm rule for myself that as a leader, I have to be willing to do anything I ask my staff to do, I volunteered myself and S to be the first canoe to tip, so we could show everyone what to do.
Actually, it wasn't that bad. The water was SHOCKINGLY, take-your-breath-away FREEZING when we first tipped in, but after a minute or two of treading water and wrestling with the canoe, I warmed up. The entire process went pretty fast and I was back in the canoe with my sweatshirt on in only a few minutes. Every staff pair tipped, helped rescue and, as a group, everyone was super encouraging. It was a great day of bonding and I am confident that this year, they can help each other if anyone falls in.
Last year I was also dreading the experience and decided it would be fine to explain the process instead of practicing. Halfway though the summer, the staff took a weekend canoe trip across the lake and one group accidentally tipped over. No one knew how to get the water out of the canoe and the people back in and so I found myself training them while we floated in the middle of a windy, wavy lake with two staff panicking in the water.
And so this year, we practiced. Because I have a firm rule for myself that as a leader, I have to be willing to do anything I ask my staff to do, I volunteered myself and S to be the first canoe to tip, so we could show everyone what to do.
Actually, it wasn't that bad. The water was SHOCKINGLY, take-your-breath-away FREEZING when we first tipped in, but after a minute or two of treading water and wrestling with the canoe, I warmed up. The entire process went pretty fast and I was back in the canoe with my sweatshirt on in only a few minutes. Every staff pair tipped, helped rescue and, as a group, everyone was super encouraging. It was a great day of bonding and I am confident that this year, they can help each other if anyone falls in.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Camp Dog
Some of the early arriving staff went out to play kickball. Olivia desperately wanted the ball and ran after it every time someone kicked it. I brought out her ball, which distracted her for a while, but then she decided it would be more fun to bring out to the middle of the kickball field because the staff would throw it and pay attention to her.In the end, as camp staff are fabulous at doing, they circled up... and so did Olivia.
The first day of training began with 2 hours of games, songs and silly stuff to break down the staff's nerves and inhibitions and help them get comfortable with each other quickly. I brought Olivia (as well as her bed, water dish, treats and leash) out to the field with me, hoping she wouldn't have to be stuck inside all day, but prepared to put her in the house if she was naughty. This dog continues to shock and amuse me every day. She was patient and attentive, mostly just standing by, watching them play. She looked amused (as much as a dog can) and seemed to be enjoying herself. Each time we circled up, she did so as naturally as one of the staff, which they were all absolutely in awe of (as if I trained her to do so). When we played a game that required tagged players to sit down on the field, she went over to each newly sitting person and checked them out and then continued to make the rounds. Friendly, encouraging, overseeing everyone.
At the end of the games and songs time period, I had the staff do the "human knot" where they grab hands across the circle and then have to untangle themselves. Their arms and bodies were twisted and they were practically on top of each other they were so close together. Olivia scooted herself directly in the middle of the circle and each time someone bent down, she would be right there to oversee. Every now and then she would poke her head out of the sea of legs, as if to say, "still not done, but I'm watching..."
When she and I arrived to the opening campfire, most people were already there. She walked to each person, as if to make her "hello" rounds and then she sat down to wait for her s'more. Prior to bringing her home, I typed out a long list of rules about things she could and couldn't eat. Toasted marshmallows didn't come up one way or the other, but she has developed a taste for them and fully expects to be included.
After all of that, I should understand she is not just my puppy anymore, but an active member of the group (well, okay, a member who has to take naps midway through the day and sometimes gets put on time out for barking too much, but still, a member). But it didn't quite hit me until today when I had the staff do an activity where they had to stand in a line along a piece of tape and do a challenge. To start off, I said, "please take a place along this line." Dogs don't understand English, I know that (the Puppy School teachers all said it over and over again). But as soon as I gave the directions, the staff, and, without missing a beat, Olivia, took their place along the line. Everyone paused and leaned around and behind each other to look at her sitting there, incredulous that the puppy was on the line. We shouldn't be surprised at this point, but it is just hilarious and adorable. Camp dog... Officially.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Here Comes the Summer
After almost a month of preparing, the summer is finally here. Yesterday I drove to the airport to pick up two staff and two others drove to camp. Today, four more arrived in the morning, and I spent the afternoon teaching first aid. Tomorrow is a full day of CPR training and two more staff will also arrive. And finally on Friday, the last few staff will arrive and training will officially begin.
I interviewed the majority of the staff over the phone, so it has been exciting to finally meet them in person. So far, it's hard to tell. They are just getting to know each other and camp, and they all seem a little nervous and unsure. I would prefer to start training immediately, and not do first aid and CPR because the first few activities we do in training are ice breakers, which help them get to know each other and relax. It's difficult to arrive to a new place with new people and jump right into a long training about first aid. They are not comfortable with each other yet and it's an awkward way to start. Also, for the people who are currently certified and not going through these first two days, I worry that they feel like they are late and have missed something because the rest of the people have had a few days to get to know each other. By Friday afternoon, they should all be more relaxed and I will have a better idea about their personalities.
Having them here gives me mixed feelings. I am glad they are finally here and camp is coming soon. This is what I spend my entire year planning and preparing for, so it's super exciting to finally begin. But being here with just the lead staff, making our own schedule (busy as it might have been, it was nice to be able to do whatever, whenever you want), cooking together, working together and spending all of our free time relaxing together was really nice. We were a little family and I enjoyed it immensely. It was laid back and easy and I didn't have to worry about them at all. With 15 new, very young staff, responsibility begins now. Counselors sometimes have interesting ideas about what is appropriate, fun and what are good or poor choices. And so I will worry and have to keep my eyes and ears open every second of every day from now until they leave in late August. It is exhausting, so while I'm glad the summer has begun, it's not the same excitement as when I was a young staff, meeting new best friends for the summer.
I interviewed the majority of the staff over the phone, so it has been exciting to finally meet them in person. So far, it's hard to tell. They are just getting to know each other and camp, and they all seem a little nervous and unsure. I would prefer to start training immediately, and not do first aid and CPR because the first few activities we do in training are ice breakers, which help them get to know each other and relax. It's difficult to arrive to a new place with new people and jump right into a long training about first aid. They are not comfortable with each other yet and it's an awkward way to start. Also, for the people who are currently certified and not going through these first two days, I worry that they feel like they are late and have missed something because the rest of the people have had a few days to get to know each other. By Friday afternoon, they should all be more relaxed and I will have a better idea about their personalities.
Having them here gives me mixed feelings. I am glad they are finally here and camp is coming soon. This is what I spend my entire year planning and preparing for, so it's super exciting to finally begin. But being here with just the lead staff, making our own schedule (busy as it might have been, it was nice to be able to do whatever, whenever you want), cooking together, working together and spending all of our free time relaxing together was really nice. We were a little family and I enjoyed it immensely. It was laid back and easy and I didn't have to worry about them at all. With 15 new, very young staff, responsibility begins now. Counselors sometimes have interesting ideas about what is appropriate, fun and what are good or poor choices. And so I will worry and have to keep my eyes and ears open every second of every day from now until they leave in late August. It is exhausting, so while I'm glad the summer has begun, it's not the same excitement as when I was a young staff, meeting new best friends for the summer.
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