On Saturday, PDS, APDA and I drove an hour into town to go to Target. Pre-camp, to training, to the first week of camp- we've been "on" for a long time now. It was good to get away from camp, away from staff, and into the "real world" for a little while. We looked like tourists touching everything in the store and exclaiming excitedly over ordinary things we shouldn't have been so impressed by.
Later in the day, once we were back to camp, we joined the staff on the pontoon for a cruise around the lake. Last summer, between my sick dog, my boyfriend and just normal craziness of the summer, I never once "hung out" with the staff. I think they were a little unsure of what it would be like to chill with the boss, because when I got on the pontoon, I could see all of them sit up a little straighter. But it was a fun day and lots of joking around, so I think they eased up pretty quickly.
I think it is important to keep a boundary between staff and I- I am not their friend. I am the person responsible for making tough decisions, maintaining rules and supporting them through this experience. In order to remain professional, fair, unbiased and objective, I can't be their friend. But I also think it is important to be approachable, relate-able and for them not to be scared of me. So hanging out every now and then is important.
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