Training Day 1

"I know it is difficult to imagine that 2 weeks from now, these people (who you are just meeting for the first time today) will have become some of your best friends. 2 WEEKS! In real life, sometimes don't even know some people's names after two weeks but at camp, pretty soon, you will be reading each others' minds."

That was part of my welcome speech this morning. And it's true- the bonds you form at camp are fast, intense and produce life long friendships.

Being a camp staff member is a journey- I can sometimes see people growing before my eyes. I can't say enough how much I enjoy being part of that experience and what an honor it is to be able to play that role in these people's lives.

I have worked incredibly hard to build a community and create a "camp family". I want campers, staff, volunteers, even parents who aren't attending camp to feel a connection to camp and experience a sense of belonging.

All of that being said, makes this next statement difficult to say- I am definitely going to fire someone this summer. I am not happy about that and not looking forward to it in any way. I don't even know who it is going to be or why they will be fired. But I have a gut feeling and I know it is coming. I'm just hoping that it is only one person and it is not for anything too serious.

Today was the first day of training. Yesterday was CPR/First aid, and prior to that was 4 days of Life guarding. Some staff have been here for almost a week now, but today was the first official day. And already there was drama. Nurse J came to talk to me about two different people who were talking to her about other staff. Two staff were asking about going into town to buy cigars (um, hello, what part of "can you give up alcohol and tobacco for 10 weeks" didn't you understand in the interview??). With 16 of 20 staff are returning this summer, we are at an advantage in some ways- I don't anticipate nearly as many issues with cabin management, organizational issues or nervousness about programming. I do however expect more issues with staff drama- they already know each other and there's no honeymoon period where they are all nice, polite and getting along.

Despite being the first day of training, all day I couldn't escape the feeling that they were just a little out of control, a little too relaxed, and a little less under my control than I like. So we'll see...