Fried Oreos and Bug Spray (Not Together)

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.