Today was the first day of my 7th year at this camp (15th summer of camp overall).
Yesterday, on my first day off in 3 weeks, I cleaned my house, did my laundry, went grocery shopping, cooked a bunch of meals for the week, played with my dogs, did my nails and relaxed. It was productive and restful and I was happy to start the craziness of camp so organized and prepared.
Today was father's day and I was feeling a little bit sad. I wasn't feeling as excited as I thought I would on the first day of camp. I felt a little detached actually.
The staff meeting and pre-camp set up went well. And then I got a phone call saying the bus was going to be late because one of the two buses kept breaking down, so they were waiting for a replacement bus. So, like we mentioned in training, even though we have really organized schedules that we want the staff to stick to, often, other things happen that throw everything off. Flexibility training 101.
And then it started to rain.
However, by the time the bus arrived (only 45 minutes later than usual), the rain had stopped and 85 kids, ages 7-15 poured out of the bus in a LOUD, excited mess. 3/4 of this group are all return campers (some who have been coming since before I was the director), so there was a lot of familiar faces, hugs, and excitement.
The staff learned quickly that the theory of children and the reality of children is MUCH different. In theory, getting a dozen 7 year old boys from one place to another is simple. In reality, it is like herding ferrel kittens and every time you actually manage to get them all together, it is a small miracle.
Kids are louder, slower moving, less cooperative, and altogether more baffling in their choices than you ever expect and some of the staff looked a little like they'd run a marathon by the time they got to opening campfire, but overall, it was a smooth day.
Summer #7!!!
Yesterday, on my first day off in 3 weeks, I cleaned my house, did my laundry, went grocery shopping, cooked a bunch of meals for the week, played with my dogs, did my nails and relaxed. It was productive and restful and I was happy to start the craziness of camp so organized and prepared.
Today was father's day and I was feeling a little bit sad. I wasn't feeling as excited as I thought I would on the first day of camp. I felt a little detached actually.
The staff meeting and pre-camp set up went well. And then I got a phone call saying the bus was going to be late because one of the two buses kept breaking down, so they were waiting for a replacement bus. So, like we mentioned in training, even though we have really organized schedules that we want the staff to stick to, often, other things happen that throw everything off. Flexibility training 101.
And then it started to rain.
However, by the time the bus arrived (only 45 minutes later than usual), the rain had stopped and 85 kids, ages 7-15 poured out of the bus in a LOUD, excited mess. 3/4 of this group are all return campers (some who have been coming since before I was the director), so there was a lot of familiar faces, hugs, and excitement.
The staff learned quickly that the theory of children and the reality of children is MUCH different. In theory, getting a dozen 7 year old boys from one place to another is simple. In reality, it is like herding ferrel kittens and every time you actually manage to get them all together, it is a small miracle.
Kids are louder, slower moving, less cooperative, and altogether more baffling in their choices than you ever expect and some of the staff looked a little like they'd run a marathon by the time they got to opening campfire, but overall, it was a smooth day.
Summer #7!!!
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