Bringing Back M

Last week, 2012 Program Director M came back to camp to help out for the week. It was SO nice having her back. She and I connected when she was a counselor 4 years ago and I have always really enjoyed her. It was also really nice to have another person who knows how to run camp and is willing to step up. There was a day last week that 'A', 'K' and I were all late to breakfast and 'M' handed out table numbers. I think it surprised and maybe even annoyed some of the staff, but I was thrilled to have another set of hands to help out.

At the end of the week I told her she needed to quit her job and come back to camp. I was sort of joking, but I knew she wanted to. At the beginning of the summer, she went on a trip to Uganda, which is why she didn't think camp would work out for her, but camp is where she belongs.

On Saturday night, she texted me and asked if I was serious and if she showed up on Sunday, would there be a job for her. I told her "YES" and that was that.

This summer is going so wonderfully and both Assistant Director 'A' and Program Director 'K' are doing FABULOUS work. I made sure to clarify to both of them that hiring M had nothing to do with them or jobs not getting done. It just helps to have one more person and I would have hired all three of them for the summer if 'M' had applied. Also, it's about a $1500 difference in the budget and considering we are projecting a $50,000 deficit at the end of this year, I didn't think it would really matter.

So she's back and camp feels complete.

On Wednesday night, I went to my house to re-tape my floor. As you may recall, we covered the white carpet in linoleum at the beginning of the summer. Some of the duct tape that was holding it in place had come up, so I was going to re-tape it. I figured it would take 20 minutes. Except that 'A' offered to help and she felt like we needed to take up all the tape and re-adjust the linoleum. 45 minutes later, we were struggling so I walkie talkie-d 'M' for more help. "M, M, M, where are you?! Come to the tin can right away! It's urgent!" M's walkie talkie was on the table and several staff heard my call. M was in her room when they all started yelling for her to hurry up because I needed her. The staff are still at the point where they take me VERY seriously. M is not.

She marched over, yelling, "this BETTER be an ACTUAL emergency because if this is just one of your ridiculous projects, I'm not coming inside!" But of course, immediately jumped into helping with our crazy project of moving furniture and taping linoleum into place. 2 hours later, my floor looked FANTASTIC!

I'm so happy 'M' is back (not just because of my floor, but it was REALLY nice to have help with it!)