Rock Star

Usually the “rock star” staff (the really creative, energetic, outgoing, confident, and “with-it”) are female. I’ve had some amazing male staff in the past, so that’s a generalization. But for every rock star male, there are usually 5 rock star females. Our retention of female campers is nearly 3 times as high as male campers and I’m sure that has to do with the number of outstanding staff vs. so-so staff.

It’s only been a few days of training, but so far this year, it is my male staff who are standing out as being exceptional and the females are a little quieter and slower to shine.

Every time I turn around, the guys are coming up with something new. Kayak gladiator is a game they invented that I didn’t like the sound of when they first brought it up. They go out in kayak and try to tip each other out. However, I asked them to give me some written rules and I was impressed by their organization, safety consciousness and now I’m just impressed by their creativity.

It seems that every break or small amount of free time (of which there is not a lot), they are off to the art barn to build something or running brainstorming a new idea. They have completely cleaned out and organized the nature center, have a fish trap floating at the boating bay, and I find myself wanting to follow them around and watch what they come up with.

A few days ago, they trapped a big spider (it’s body is the size of a quarter). They named it Awesome Chad and they’ve been researching what it eats, improving the glass jar he lives in and as silly as the whole thing is, it is an indication of amazing creativity that I know will just grow once the kids arrive.

The latest idea that is catching on is mailboxes. Counselor R built a mailbox and put it outside of his cabin. He told people they could send him mail. Now about 6 or 7 people have built mailboxes (some out of wood, some out of cardboard, each with a creative design). I am so happy to see them being clever and creating silly ideas for no reason.

This group of staff reminds me of the 2009 staff, who were constantly coming up with new ideas and keeping the kids, themselves and me entertained. It is going to be a GREAT summer.