Remorse

Camp Kid K is 14 and everyone's little brother. Last year, I think the staff were annoyed by him and struggled to include him on weekends when they just needed time off. But at the beginning of the summer, I warned them that Nurse J had been sick all year and Camp Kid K needed to have a fun summer and I would not tolerate them not including him. I don't think it was my threats that changed their relationship with him- they love Nurse J, are used to Camp Kid K, and this summer he gained a whole group of older siblings, who love him, nag him to go to church, tease him, hang out with him and are incredibly protective over him.

The majority of the staff were gone this weekend and so Camp Kid K and Counselor H were hanging out together. They asked if they could have a camp fire and I said yes, not even bothering to watch them.

Imagine my surprise when I opened facebook on Sunday morning and found a video of them and their HUGE fire. I saw them pour lighter fluid on it and then throw a pop can in it and watch it explode. I was surprised that they did it- they are both so quiet and responsible, and I've seen (and done) way worse. I didn't think what they did warranted a conversation- it wasn't that bad. If it had been unsafe or dangerous in any way, I wouldn't have hesitated.

But putting it on facebook was probably a dumb move and so I thought they deserved a little teasing. I joked with Camper K that if he was going to be unsafe on the weekends, he wasn't going to be allowed to stay. I was smiling and he knew I was joking.

Nurse J decided to tease Counselor H- making the same point. But Counselor H is not really the teasing type of guy. He's such an exceptional staff member- taking his job incredibly seriously, putting 100% effort into the kids and everything he does. He's still nervous around me and when I gushed over his great work during his staff review, he was awkward and uncomfortable.

I was scheduling on Sunday night when Nurse J started teasing him. Of course, he panicked and feared he was going to get fired. I was gone all day today, so last night, when I heard he was freaking out, I knew I had to go and calm him down and ease his fears so he would sleep through the night and not have the worst day ever today.

I walked down to the bathroom area where he was waiting for kids to finish getting ready for bed. "Nurse J was teasing you H" I told him. "If it was an issue, I would have talked to you." He told me he'd written me a letter. I told him I didn't even need to read it, I wasn't worried. He told me he wanted me to read it.

Here was his letter-

Dear Camp Director,

I am very, very, very sorry for my horrible decision making this past weekend. It was 100% my fault for how we acted and I am ashamed by what we did. I was being an atrocious role model for K and I forgot my place as a camp counselor. I failed to realize that even though K may seem like a little brother to me he is still a camper and I was his sole adult supervisor. I shall, from now on, maintain a more professional position at all times, including the weekends. As soon as I get a chance, I will remove the pictures and video from the internet. I am willing to accept any punishment that I deserve.

An ashamed counselor, H

My letter back to him was this-

Dear H,

If I didn't know what your letter was in reference to, I would have assumed you murdered a small village. If I had been concerned about safety or appropriateness of behavior, I would have discussed it with you. You were being a big brother, which is what Camper K needs. Please stop beating yourself up and relax, you know I think you are a fantastic counselor.

-Camp Director

I just keep shaking my head and smiling. My staff are so ridiculous and hilarious.