Small Camp

We average about 75 campers per week of the summer. We have the space to double and I am optimistic about the future when we do increase in size. Being such a small camp has it's benefits though.

Yesterday I got a call from Grandma G. I knew it was her the minute she said hello. Grandma G is the grandmother of one of our repeat campers. She has a very gravelly smoky voice and she sounds like she is 90 years old. Her son, the camper's dad has been in and out of prison, working on and off and Grandma G is the one who has been sending Camper "A" to camp every year.

I think Grandma G is the first person I helped when I first started at camp. She is super religious and kept blessing me and calling me honey. There was just something about her that I liked and connected with and every time she has called since then, I have enjoyed talking with her.

This year, "A" is old enough to be part of the teen programs. Grandma G called for information on the volunteer crew, but as I started to tell her about the leaders program, she was excited about that too. As our conversation continued, she started to get confused and finally stopped me and asked if there was any way I could write it down and send it to her in the mail (she doesn't use the internet).

I spent some time organizing some materials, writing simple but specific instructions, highlighted and as easy to follow as I could make it. While I was doing it, I realized that I was lucky to be able to work at a small camp where I can have relationships with families and help them have the opportunity to send their kids to camp. Reason 7 million why I love this job.