What I Learned At Camp

My second year as camp director gave me just as many surprises as to “things that can go wrong.” But first and foremost I must say that once again there would be no camp to direct without the awesome dedicated staff of program directors, counselors and others that make the camp come together.
Each day brought a new problem to deal with and solve but each day usually ended with many successes as well. The problems actually began before we made it all the way to camp when the borrowed bus threw a belt and the bus driver had to limp it on up to a station to borrow tools to repair it. Luckily he was able to do that and we were on our way once again. Then Melissa, who was the only counselor driving, found out the hard way that her Ford Tempo would not climb hills. We had to park it in Grass Valley and call her mother to come with a rescue van to finish the trip as Melissa’s car had been loaded with many of the other counselor’s supplies.

#1 What I learned at camp... Drive a Chevy and hope that your bus driver is mechanically inclined if something goes wrong.

We tried to thwart the lice problem we had the year before by checking the campers before they boarded the bus. We failed however when a couple of the counselors went up a day ahead. (Pun intended) without being checked.

#2 what I learned at camp: Don’t hug unless you know for sure.

Each morning we found ourselves surrounded by kids in PJs. There were cute PJs and cuddly PJs and satiny PJs and comfy PJs so we decided to hold a PJ contest. The categories we came up with at the spur of the moment were the cutest, silliest, most raggedy, (not to be confused with most comfy), most colorful and most unique. The next morning Gabby and I were amazed and surprised by all the super cute jammies the kids and counselors were wearing. We ended up making up a bunch more categories to accommodate the variety of entries. Fuzziest was won by Sabrina, a counselor, whose orange fuzzy Elmo nose on her T-shirt was the capper. Most coordinated went to Alex wearing Sponge Bob Square pants matching top and pants. The most non-matching went to Billy whom we had convinced that we had burned all his and Nick’s clothes in a dryer fire mishap. (Pranking was big this year, more later). Most chic PJs went to Tia, and we developed the most athletic with polka dots category for Dersa’s jammies. The coolest matching jammies went to Crystal and Ashley, twin counselors. They weren’t really twins but they were together so much they started to look alike and none of us could tell which was which. There was also the girliest, manliest, studliest and most adorable. For the complete scoop on the pajama party one must talk with Gabby who is so very perceptive when it comes to forming categories for competitors.
Camp counselors, Melissa and Kyle wanted to hold a first time councilor and first time camper king and queen competition. Contestants were voted on by the rest of the campers by cheers and applause. At first I was a little worried about this contest because of the “popularity” votes. But as it turned out the campers ended up voting the tiniest campers into the queen and king positions. Luckily these two were also good sports because along with being “crowned” with a cardboard crown they also received an egg splattered on top of their heads. To make up for the egg business we told them that for the rest of the day they could eat their meals at our staff table. The really funny thing was the little camper queen that won, Hanna, was the daughter of the craft lady, Margaret. Well once Hanna had become accustomed to the pleasures of dining with staff royalty she did not wish to return with her mother at the peasant table and for the rest of the week the littlest queen took her meals with us.

#3 what I learned at camp is be open to suggestions and new ideas.

The caretaker, Ken who is a former marine, had arranged for a friend of his to come and talk to the kids about maps and compasses. He also arranged for the forest service to come and talk to the kids about fire safety and how to leave the area as they found it. For Gabby and I that meant approximately 3 hours of free time in which we did not need to plan any activities to keep the kids occupied and we could perhaps get a few personal errands done for ourselves. On the morning of the scheduled events Ken came to our table and solemnly announced that due to cutbacks in the forest service budget the rangers would not be arriving as planned.
Gabby and I looked at each other with I’m sure the same expression; fear mixed with hatred for the government and their stupid cuts. Ken led us to believe this bush-wa for about 60 seconds before he caved. I guess he could sense the utter contempt we now harbored for Smokey the Bear and to save our furry friend he confessed he had only been kidding us. The rangers and the marines would be arriving as scheduled. Fun and games is all well and good but when you mess with a girl’s free time during a week of 17-hour days heads will roll. Quickly we hatched a plan. In the time it took to conceive our devilish scheme Ken had discovered a mess in the girls bathroom. This was just the distraction we needed. I quickly acquired his set of keys and led our volunteer “movers” into his abode. In less than 90 seconds they had Ken’s bed out the door and into his front yard and made up complete with squared corners so tight you could bounce a quarter on it. The only thing left to do was sit back and watch the discovery. The trouble was, with so much going on Ken still hadn’t discovered his bed in his yard even hours later. The kids had kept the secret so well and they wanted to see his reaction when he finally did discover it. So it was time for maneuvers to be facilitated. I moved the squadron of campers and their counselors back into the mess hall so they would have an unobstructed view, then I commandeered Caretaker Ken. After I distracted him with my wily womanly ways he didn’t know what hit him. I had him right where I wanted him, (in front of his cabin). I thought I was going to have to play Vanna White and actually stand beside the bed swirling my arms in the air to point it out but finally he saw the bed in his yard. His reaction? We all held our breath for a moment or two, and then were relieved when he started laughing.
“OK ya got me!” He said chuckling. He then had us take pictures of him reclining on his outdoor bed for the YMCA’s website.

#4 what I learned. at camp.. As a former Girl Scout, I remember a few classic pranks so.. watch who you mess with.

Last year I put on a show for the kids as a clown. This year I wanted to do something different so I brought my gorilla suit and I thought of running through the camp and carrying off a camper. By the third day I did not have the energy to put out that much effort. So Jameson and Lalo, two of the boy counselors were recruited to do the gorilla dance for me. I had chosen a silly song called “Tangerine Speedo” and the boys began secretly working on their “moves.” I’m not sure how it happened but between the time I procured a pair of orange undies from one of the girl counselors and the actual presentation at campfire, things went a little awry. The boys ended up doing a dance, outfitted in orange bikini undies, to Sir Mix-a-Lot’s “I Like Big Butts” melody. Needless to say they were a big hit.

#5 what I learned at camp... In the wrong hands orange underwear can be very dangerous

This year Kevin was back as a counselor and he quietly waited until the last evening at camp to share with us his power to mesmerize. Let me explain; Kevin asked his parents bring up his guitar, (an electric) on the last night of camp. He then put on a concert that began with the Star Spangled Banner and he could have ended with the National Anthem right then because we were all awestruck with his talent but he went on to give us Hendricks, Led Zeppelin, Green Day, Blink 182 and more. The camp went wild, dancing and getting into the music. For some kids you can just see the potential in them from the first moment you meet. Kevin is different. His personality shines through once he lets you past his reserved demeanor and then you realize this guy has got it. Not only is Kevin thoughtful, mature, good natured and kind. He is also a heck of a guitar player.

# 6 what I learned at camp... The quiet kids will rock the camp as much as the loud ones if given the opportunity.

Each morning the day began when we gathered at Chapel Hill where I gave a short talk on the word for the day. The YMCA creed says; Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility and this is what the talks focused on. On the second to last day I has talked about responsibility and read a story from the Chicken Soup for the Soul book. In the book there was a section titled: What I Have Learned So Far... After reading a few of the selections I asked the campers if they would write me 1 or 2 sentences on what they have learned so far in life or during their time at camp this week. They complied and the following are a few of the campers “What I Have Learned so Far” statements.

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I learned about different words and what to do and not do.
Kimmy
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I learned you can’t get something just because you want to you have to earn it. You need to be responsible to hold something special, and never ever take something that doesn’t belong to you.

Laquita 9
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I learned to listen to the counselors at all times and keep your cabin clean.

Josh
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I learned some people are not as bad as they seem.

Nick
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I learned that just because you get a bulls eye doesn’t mean you’re good, it could just be luck, and the one bulls eye you get will be the one when you won’t get Bear Bucks.
Alex
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I learned how to catch a lizard and to eat a lot.
Jolene
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Never give the camp director your orange underwear! ha ha ha ha
Anonymous
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I learned how to use a compass.
Shelby
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I learned not to put my elbows on the table.
Ms Laura
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Respect your elderly. Be nice to other people. Treat others like you want to be treated.
Melinda
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I learned when they crown you they crack an egg on your head and it gets everywhere.
Hannah 9
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I learned that I don’t have to eat between meals and that I CAN live without Diet Pepsi. I also learned that even a chunky 40 year old can be first runner-up at YMCA camp.
Margaret 40-something
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When life confuses you tilt your head and look at it in a different view... like a duck.
Sabrina
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I learned little kids don’t listen, shaving cream is nasty and never ever just jump into your sleeping bag.
Jordan
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I learned that if you have a problem with someone, say it to their face instead of behind their back.
Liz
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I learned that making friends is easy and camp can be a lot of fun.
Emanuel
I learned how to look at maps. I also learned that the food here is really good.
Noemi
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I learned that mail is never on time, and Kyle can write.
Alex
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Always get REVENGE!
Nick
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I learned you should be responsible. You should be respectful of others. You should be truthful. You should be caring to others. Even the smallest child can make a difference. That animals should be protected the same as humans. Don’t eat too much of one thing with a lot of undiluted apple juice. I learned you should learn your ABC’s before you’re a teenager because your brain is filled with music and magazines. I learned dogs can learn too.
Chastity 10
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The last entry was written by a little girl who I had to send home early the year before for behavior problems. I have thought of this child often since last year’s camp. I felt so badly that it was my decision that sent her packing cutting short her 1-week of fun. I thought it was probably the only week she got the whole year. So I was very pleased to see Chastity back again this year. Her behavior this year was a complete turn around from the previous year. Both Gabby and I showered attention on her whenever we found her among the campers. When I read Chastity's “what I learned” statement I felt that a young child had gained a whole lot in 1 week of camp and I am glad I am able to be a part of that.
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