Changes...

Last year, three factors made the summer different than ever before

1. PDS and APDA were both return staff and I felt really confident in them so I let them take the lead on programming more so than ever before. In years prior, I led every single program, but last year, I led very few.

2. Part of the reason I didn't lead programming was because we were going through re-certification, so I had TONS of paperwork. I pretty much sat in the office all day, every day and just worked.

3. Almost all of the staff was new.

In my mind, I still thought of myself as very involved with staff (I always lead programming) but none of them had actually seen that and I made it through most of the summer without actually being involved. In hindsight, it's no surprise they were all nervous for their midsummer reviews and intimidated by me.

This year, I don't have the same intense paperwork, I have three lead staff, Nurse J and Counselor M (who worked in the office this year) has been out of a cabin this week and helping with programming. We had one too many counselors this week and since she already knows the computer system, she was a natural choice. But she is also doing an exceptional job taking initiative, being a leader and taking on extra work.

Which means that I have a lot more free time than ever before. I don't have to upload pictures and blog at midnight (two different people have those responsibilities). Programming is planned, responsibilities are all equally spread out and camp is fun. It is more fun than ever before, because I am not trying to run around like a crazy person and do everything myself.

I still have a constant feeling of anxiety, like I have a million things to do, even though everything is getting done. Delegating is the hardest skill I've had to learn, but it works.

This week, I am leading an activity called "survival skills". Today we built a fort, which was super fun and hilarious. At break time, PDP pulled out some buckets and drumsticks and lead an impromptu drumline. Later, I got involved in an intense circle game called "zumie zumie" with the 14 year old boys and it was several minutes before I realized that my job is to play... all day... with kids... How did I get so lucky?