Tears- Part 1

They can't say I didn't warn them they would cry...

During training, I tell staff that there will come a time during the summer that they will cry. I don't do that to scare them, but to let them know it is normal, to come find me and let me help so that they can get through it smoothly. This is an exhausting job. They are with kids 22 hours a day. And kids can be frustrating, annoying, difficult and even when they are being perfect, they are needy and require absolute focus. Add to that being away from home, family, friends and real life for 3 months and you have an intense experience that nothing else compares. It also makes for amazing growth, learning and life changing development, which is great, but no one ever said that was easy!

First tears of the summer- Monday, 1:37pm.

I went to the beach to help ease some of the chaos of the first day (all campers need to be swim tested and it can get a little hectic). I had been with them for approximately 3 minutes, I counted them, put them into buddy pairs and asked how many kids were on the list. 21. Hmmmm. I counted 20 kids. Why are those numbers different?

When I asked Counselor J that question, she stared at me with a look of terror and confusion and said, "I don't know."

Wrong answer.

I asked her and counselor E if they had stopped at the entrance to the beach road to count the kids and take attendance.

Nope.

So we don't really know if we have 20 or 21.

Okkkk...

I was being very nice, patient, calm. I knew that no one was dead in the water or anything awful, but I wanted to figure out why we were "missing" a kid. I took the clipboard and started asking each child his or her name and checking them off. When I turned around midway through, Counselor J was sobbing hysterically.

"Go around the corner and compose yourself." I said (still calm, still nice, a little shocked at her reaction, but knowing her even just 9 days, not really surprised).

After figuring out there was a typo and one kid was on the list twice, I went to deal with the crier (I don't really deal with tears super well...).

"Ok [soothing voice]. Are you okay?" (Judging by her face, you would think I had beat her regularly. Since when am I scary?!?)

"I was just so terrified someone was hurt and I don't want you to think I'm terrible at my job and I am so sorry and I just don't want you to be mad...." Begging for her life is the best way to describe her.

"Whoa. Calm down. First of all, we knew no one was in the water yet. I'm glad you took the emergency procedures and importance of safety part of training so seriously, but it was just a typo, so no need to panic. Second, if it was an emergency, remember, we have to stay calm and just be logical. Today is the first day, you are doing well. Don't worry. We just have to remember to count and match names to faces. You are doing fine [still soothing], I'm not mad, I don't get mad very often. I'm not so scary you need to panic."

I didn't roll my eyes at the nonsense that was that WHOLE situation until I was far far away. But seriously?!?!