Saturday, June 26, 2004
Summer Time
I realize that it has been a while since I last updated this blog, so I thought that perhaps it was time. The few weeks between graduation and when staff training started were full of things like doctor's and dentist's appointments, getting a new driver's permit, and various other tasks and errands. Staff training started on June 6th, and it was amazing! Every time I go to Camp Highroad, I am reminded of how much it feels like home to me. The staff this year is even more amazing than I could hope for. We have had our share of incidents, but I know that this summer is going to be fantastic, and I can't wait to see what wonderful things God will be doing through us.
I guess I should explain some of the "incidents," just so you have an idea of what I am talking about. One of our staff members has some health problems, diabetes, seizures, etc, and she unfortunately had a seizure during training. That was hard for all of us, but she recovered quickly, and we happily welcomed her home again. Unfortunately, she has chosen not to continue at camp, and we will miss her, but we wish her well, and hope that God continues to act in her life.
This was our first week of camp, and I must say that it was the most interesting one of all. I am still getting used to the idea that I am not going to be a counselor. As some of you may know, that is perhaps my favorite job of all, and I am having a hard time watching others do what I so desperately want to do myself. But, God has asked me to perform different functions this summer, and I am struggling to handle them with the calm and confidence that I sometimes lack. I am the craft director this summer, and when I did a dry run with the staff, it was less than satisfactory in my eyes. I was certain that everyone hated it, and that I would be a failure with the kids. The staff assured me that they had only been teasing and that the kids would love it, but it was hard to believe them. Still, I planned, and agonized, and tried to prepare something that would be fun for all of the groups that came. My first two groups were trailblazers (7th and 8th graders) and we did dream catchers and friendship bracelets. I can't say that it was the most successful crafts session, but it wasn't horrible. And I learned some valuable things (like crafts shouldn't last an hour and a half.) Later that afternoon, I had an explorers (5th and 6th graders) unit, and that went much better. We made picture frames, and they were happy as clams. Granted, they were an all-girls unit with only six girls, but still. The following day, I had two adventurers units (3rd and 4th graders.) They co-ed group was rather rambunctious, but they behaved themselves, and seemed to enjoy coloring, if nothing else. Go figure. I think the most important thing I learned from all of this is that some of the kids will like it, some won't, and even 12 year olds enjoy painting rocks from time to time. Oh, and that I have a soft spot for kids who think outside the box. Anyway, I don't know if I will be a great crafts director, or even a good one, but I will give it my best shot, and that will have to be enough. My other tasks this summer include working in the camp store (which will help me work on my patience) and helping to run morning watch (which will help me work on my confidence.) At first I was a little uncertain about all of this, because I didn't think I would be making much of a difference, but I am beginning to remember that we don't always see the ways we affect people, and that God has a reason for us being there, even if we can't see it. So, I am going to trust that I am doing what God wants me to do, and in the meantime, work on making myself into the person I know I truly am and can be. Perhaps in another entry we will get into what all that means, but for now, we will leave it at that.
Finally, I should explain why this was one of the most interesting weeks of all, for the whole camp. This week we had an outbreak (otherwise known as the Camp Highroad Plague of 2004.) We think it was a virus, possibly from food. At any rate, at least 13 staff members and countless kids got sick. Thirteen kids went home, and two staff members were sent home. We had the Health Department come out and everything. This sort of thing was completely unexpected, and really couldn't have been prevented, seeing as how when you put a bunch of kids together in close proximity, illness always spreads like wildfire. Anyway, it did serve to bring us, as a staff, even closer together. Also, I saw people taking initiative for the first time, and that was inspiring to watch. I, myself, had a rather miserable time of it, as I got hit pretty hard. After I threw up 30 times and almost passed out, they sent me home. So, I missed a day and a half for camp, which was hard. But, it was probably best, as I later had really bad abdominal pain and would have been useless at camp. I am happy to say that I am well on the road to recovery now, and I can't wait to see everyone again on Sunday. But for now, I should really get to bed. I love you all, and God Bless!
I guess I should explain some of the "incidents," just so you have an idea of what I am talking about. One of our staff members has some health problems, diabetes, seizures, etc, and she unfortunately had a seizure during training. That was hard for all of us, but she recovered quickly, and we happily welcomed her home again. Unfortunately, she has chosen not to continue at camp, and we will miss her, but we wish her well, and hope that God continues to act in her life.
This was our first week of camp, and I must say that it was the most interesting one of all. I am still getting used to the idea that I am not going to be a counselor. As some of you may know, that is perhaps my favorite job of all, and I am having a hard time watching others do what I so desperately want to do myself. But, God has asked me to perform different functions this summer, and I am struggling to handle them with the calm and confidence that I sometimes lack. I am the craft director this summer, and when I did a dry run with the staff, it was less than satisfactory in my eyes. I was certain that everyone hated it, and that I would be a failure with the kids. The staff assured me that they had only been teasing and that the kids would love it, but it was hard to believe them. Still, I planned, and agonized, and tried to prepare something that would be fun for all of the groups that came. My first two groups were trailblazers (7th and 8th graders) and we did dream catchers and friendship bracelets. I can't say that it was the most successful crafts session, but it wasn't horrible. And I learned some valuable things (like crafts shouldn't last an hour and a half.) Later that afternoon, I had an explorers (5th and 6th graders) unit, and that went much better. We made picture frames, and they were happy as clams. Granted, they were an all-girls unit with only six girls, but still. The following day, I had two adventurers units (3rd and 4th graders.) They co-ed group was rather rambunctious, but they behaved themselves, and seemed to enjoy coloring, if nothing else. Go figure. I think the most important thing I learned from all of this is that some of the kids will like it, some won't, and even 12 year olds enjoy painting rocks from time to time. Oh, and that I have a soft spot for kids who think outside the box. Anyway, I don't know if I will be a great crafts director, or even a good one, but I will give it my best shot, and that will have to be enough. My other tasks this summer include working in the camp store (which will help me work on my patience) and helping to run morning watch (which will help me work on my confidence.) At first I was a little uncertain about all of this, because I didn't think I would be making much of a difference, but I am beginning to remember that we don't always see the ways we affect people, and that God has a reason for us being there, even if we can't see it. So, I am going to trust that I am doing what God wants me to do, and in the meantime, work on making myself into the person I know I truly am and can be. Perhaps in another entry we will get into what all that means, but for now, we will leave it at that.
Finally, I should explain why this was one of the most interesting weeks of all, for the whole camp. This week we had an outbreak (otherwise known as the Camp Highroad Plague of 2004.) We think it was a virus, possibly from food. At any rate, at least 13 staff members and countless kids got sick. Thirteen kids went home, and two staff members were sent home. We had the Health Department come out and everything. This sort of thing was completely unexpected, and really couldn't have been prevented, seeing as how when you put a bunch of kids together in close proximity, illness always spreads like wildfire. Anyway, it did serve to bring us, as a staff, even closer together. Also, I saw people taking initiative for the first time, and that was inspiring to watch. I, myself, had a rather miserable time of it, as I got hit pretty hard. After I threw up 30 times and almost passed out, they sent me home. So, I missed a day and a half for camp, which was hard. But, it was probably best, as I later had really bad abdominal pain and would have been useless at camp. I am happy to say that I am well on the road to recovery now, and I can't wait to see everyone again on Sunday. But for now, I should really get to bed. I love you all, and God Bless!
