Hello all!
So, I've come to a few conclusions now that I've been at camp for a week.
1. I pretty much now know every "getting to know you" game on the planet.
2. My job at camp was much more intensive (but great) than I had originally planned.
3. I use bug spray for perfume.
4. I am convinced that bug spray makes you smell more like nature so bugs don't realize you're there.
5. My schedule that I've spent so many months writing and rewriting really may not matter after the first day. This is because the program that I'm in charge of is meant to be so adaptable and flexible to fit the girls needs, it really isn't worth planning every single minute of every single day.
6. I hate top bunks. It's definitely the most frustrating thing to have to climb out of it every time you have to do something.
7. Camp food is amazing.
8. The people that I'm working with are AWESOME and have so much talent. I'm so incredibly blessed to even be in their presence.
9. People think that I'm way more cool and important than I really am.
10. I've become a stickler about getting to bed by 10:30-- which will all go out the window in 6 days when the campers come.
11. I have under-appreciated the value of having a bathroom under the same roof.
12. I am actually really fast at picking up names. I've already gotten about 70 out of the 80 counselors names memorized.
13. I am a systematic communicator which means I enjoy having schedules and order (which won't surprise most of you I'm sure).
14. I have an official name tag! I've never had an official name tag in my life!
15. I don't remember if I mentioned this or not in my last post, but when I originally thought that I had 10 CITs (Counselors in Training) this month and 18 next month, has actually been reversed. So, I'll start out the summer with 18 energetic, fun, emotional, dramatic (at times) 14 and 15 year old girls. On the bright side, next month will be a breeze.
16. Demolition Derbys are the best!
16. etc. etc.
So, it's been a busy week as you can tell. The other unit leaders and I have been busily working on ways that we can unite, strengthen, and train the people that we're over. We've done everything from ropes courses to skits. The girls I work with are absolutely amazing! They're so encouraging and fun to be around. Just for clarification, there are 5 unit leaders (the EFY equivalents of building counselors) Erin D, Erin (we call her Erflair), Kira, Allie, and Amy. So, in case I ever mention anyone in the future, that's who they are.
It's weird, I still don't feel like I'm really away from home. It feels sort of like my whole life is put on pause and I'm in a two month la-la land. It's weird to hear that life is going on outside of this place. I also feel like I've been here FOREVER. It's strange that I've only been here a week- 9 more weeks to go!
On my last day off, some of the unit leaders, other staff and I went to a Rodeo in a nearby town. I've been to a Rodeo before, but I had never been to the "rodeo pre-show" complete with petting zoos, fried oreos (well, fried everything), and shops. I wanted to try some fried oreos, but I couldn't stomach putting down $5 for that. Oh well, I guess I'll have to try it sometime later in my life. It was a fun rodeo, and we finished off the night with dinner at 99 (sort of the equivalent of Applebees I suppose).
I'm sorry if I haven't gotten around to calling a lot of you. I hardly get any breaks, and when I do they're only about 20 minutes at a time. Forgive me.
Again, I don't have pictures uploaded. I may just be too lazy and don't want to walk way up to my cabin to grab my camera. Also, I wanted to get some pictures of camp and my cabin before I put them on my computer. So, I'll take another rain check.
That's about all of the news! I hope all of you are well!
Awesome disclosure again:
The posting on this blog are my own and do not represent YMCA Camp Mohawk's positions, strategies, or opinions.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Wednesday, June 13, 2012
Welcome to Camp Mohawk!
Oh me oh my!
I actually have exciting things to write about!
Aren't all of you excited that you don't have to read my boring unemployed posts anymore?
So am I.
So! In case you're one of the few who don't know, I'm currently in Connecticut at a little place called Camp Mohawk. The camp in general reminds me of Mia Shalom in Utah as far as the layout goes- but more electricity and hot water and kitchens and wifi and stuff.... did I mention electricity? So, I'm pretty spoiled out here.
Let's back up for a second. I left on Sunday night (my plane left at midnight) and I took a red eye to New York (JFK). I didn't get ANY sleep that night because the flight attendants were WAY too loud and insisted that everyone have a mini party at 2 in the morning. I didn't think that they would be serving snacks, but low and behold, they were yelling out requests up and down the isle. "YOU WANT GINGER ALE????!!! SAMMY! I NEED SOME GINGER ALE!!!" Oh my. I wanted to slap them in the face (but nicely, of course). I was practically asleep when they woke me up and asked me what I wanted to drink. I figured since I was already up, I might as well ask for something. So, I asked for a drink and a cookie. Just when I had my cookie handed to me, the next flight attendant THREW some peanut packets at my face! I'm sure he was just trying to be nice, and give me some extra food, but I didn't ask for them. Plus, those peanut packets hit hard when they're thrown with such enthusiasm- it's weird that each packet only has like 5 peanuts.
So, I arrived in New York at 6:00 (4:00 Utah time). After waiting a while, I realized that the shuttle I paid for never came. So, I had to do some sleuthing and find out where it had gone and how I was going to get to the bus terminal in New York. Finally, the shuttle came, but then sat around for (I kid you not) 45 minutes waiting for other passengers. This caused me to miss my 9:00 bus. The next one was not leaving until 5:00. I was so sad. Luckily, I figured out a way that I could store my bags at the bus station and I walked around New York for the next 6ish hours.
I've been to New York before, but the last time that I went, I didn't really get to see a lot of sites. So, I made it a goal to do so. I went to Times Square and the Empire State Building and Central Park and the M&M factory. It doesn't sound like I did a lot, but that island is huge! I now have blisters on my feet to prove it, but it was totally worth it.
I then got on the bus at 5:00 and was in Torrington, Connecticut at 7:30 or so. Someone (named Jen) from camp came and picked me up from the bus station and we talked and talked all the way to camp. This girl is so sweet, I can tell that I'm going to love her to pieces. She's actually going to be my roommate, so I'm pretty excited for that. For right now, I'm living in a cabin with the unit leaders so we can bond and get to know each other.
I've done lots of stuff while I've been here, but mainly it's been a lot of training and getting ready for camp to start in about 1 1/2 weeks. There's so much to do, and I feel slightly overwhelmed, but it's not enough to make me feel discouraged. I'm still doing really well and I know that once I've planned to the best of my abilities, things will work out no matter what. Things may go crazy or not work out at times, but it won't be because I'm unprepared. I feel like I'll do well.
One thing about my job right now is that there aren't very many people here that know exactly what I do. So, it's been a lot of guessing on my part for now. Thankfully, the old leadership director is coming up on Saturday so I'll have a better idea of how to run things. But, the program is awesome in that I can shape it whatever way I think will work best.
My life is great right now and I'm having a fun time. I owe a lot of that to the Lord who has given me a great amount of patience and peace in my life. There have been times where I feel overwhelmed, but the Lord has strengthened me and showed me his love and tender mercies in many instances in my life. My life is good, I'm healthy and great, and I couldn't be more thankful for that.
I hope that everyone is doing well. I'll be sure to post pictures as soon as I can.
Also, I have to leave this pretty little disclosure at the bottom of all of my posts from now on :)
The posting on this blog are my own and do not represent YMCA Camp Mohawk's positions, strategies, or opinions.
I actually have exciting things to write about!
Aren't all of you excited that you don't have to read my boring unemployed posts anymore?
So am I.
So! In case you're one of the few who don't know, I'm currently in Connecticut at a little place called Camp Mohawk. The camp in general reminds me of Mia Shalom in Utah as far as the layout goes- but more electricity and hot water and kitchens and wifi and stuff.... did I mention electricity? So, I'm pretty spoiled out here.
Let's back up for a second. I left on Sunday night (my plane left at midnight) and I took a red eye to New York (JFK). I didn't get ANY sleep that night because the flight attendants were WAY too loud and insisted that everyone have a mini party at 2 in the morning. I didn't think that they would be serving snacks, but low and behold, they were yelling out requests up and down the isle. "YOU WANT GINGER ALE????!!! SAMMY! I NEED SOME GINGER ALE!!!" Oh my. I wanted to slap them in the face (but nicely, of course). I was practically asleep when they woke me up and asked me what I wanted to drink. I figured since I was already up, I might as well ask for something. So, I asked for a drink and a cookie. Just when I had my cookie handed to me, the next flight attendant THREW some peanut packets at my face! I'm sure he was just trying to be nice, and give me some extra food, but I didn't ask for them. Plus, those peanut packets hit hard when they're thrown with such enthusiasm- it's weird that each packet only has like 5 peanuts.
So, I arrived in New York at 6:00 (4:00 Utah time). After waiting a while, I realized that the shuttle I paid for never came. So, I had to do some sleuthing and find out where it had gone and how I was going to get to the bus terminal in New York. Finally, the shuttle came, but then sat around for (I kid you not) 45 minutes waiting for other passengers. This caused me to miss my 9:00 bus. The next one was not leaving until 5:00. I was so sad. Luckily, I figured out a way that I could store my bags at the bus station and I walked around New York for the next 6ish hours.
I've been to New York before, but the last time that I went, I didn't really get to see a lot of sites. So, I made it a goal to do so. I went to Times Square and the Empire State Building and Central Park and the M&M factory. It doesn't sound like I did a lot, but that island is huge! I now have blisters on my feet to prove it, but it was totally worth it.
I then got on the bus at 5:00 and was in Torrington, Connecticut at 7:30 or so. Someone (named Jen) from camp came and picked me up from the bus station and we talked and talked all the way to camp. This girl is so sweet, I can tell that I'm going to love her to pieces. She's actually going to be my roommate, so I'm pretty excited for that. For right now, I'm living in a cabin with the unit leaders so we can bond and get to know each other.
I've done lots of stuff while I've been here, but mainly it's been a lot of training and getting ready for camp to start in about 1 1/2 weeks. There's so much to do, and I feel slightly overwhelmed, but it's not enough to make me feel discouraged. I'm still doing really well and I know that once I've planned to the best of my abilities, things will work out no matter what. Things may go crazy or not work out at times, but it won't be because I'm unprepared. I feel like I'll do well.
One thing about my job right now is that there aren't very many people here that know exactly what I do. So, it's been a lot of guessing on my part for now. Thankfully, the old leadership director is coming up on Saturday so I'll have a better idea of how to run things. But, the program is awesome in that I can shape it whatever way I think will work best.
My life is great right now and I'm having a fun time. I owe a lot of that to the Lord who has given me a great amount of patience and peace in my life. There have been times where I feel overwhelmed, but the Lord has strengthened me and showed me his love and tender mercies in many instances in my life. My life is good, I'm healthy and great, and I couldn't be more thankful for that.
I hope that everyone is doing well. I'll be sure to post pictures as soon as I can.
Also, I have to leave this pretty little disclosure at the bottom of all of my posts from now on :)
The posting on this blog are my own and do not represent YMCA Camp Mohawk's positions, strategies, or opinions.
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