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When Packing For Camp
Always Take Plenty Of Socks

When I got the call from Cheryl about the job for camp director at the local YMCA, I was a bit skeptical...
“I do not have any experience.” I said.
“We’ll teach you what you need to know,”
Was the reply I got.
Believe me there was absolutely no way to teach what I learned during my week at Y camp.
Because I entertain as a clown, I seldom have reason to discipline the children around me. But after I was hired for the job I was told that it would require a stern disciplinarian. When I heard this I became even more concerned about my ability to handle the Camp Director job. Although there were meetings held to guide me, and questions answered during these meetings, in the short amount of time available there was not sufficient time to teach someone how to handle say, an insolent and surly camp counselor twice my size...
It would have been impossible to explain to me why I would have to send home a little girl who craved attention so badly she finally resorted to violence to get it.
“It’s not what it should have been, It’s not what it could have been, It’s what it is...”
It was necessary to abide by these words as my week as camp director flew by.
There were 17 councilors on hand, 2 and 3 to a cabin to bond with the children in ways I will never understand. In the Crow’s cabin were Herbert and Kevin. Herbert brought years of experience as both a councilor and a camper. A quiet gentle giant of a man, his efforts did not go unnoticed. Kevin, also a former camper, is a sweet young man who had infinite patience with the young boys in his cabin that kept him up much too late.
In the Sioux cabin there was Aaron and Shane who were cousins. These two kept the staff and I guessing as to whom was really in charge in this cabin. We had a rough time with Aaron and actually had to send him home mid-week. Since then however I have spoken with this young man and I believe Aaron realizes that we truly had the best interests of the children in our hearts.
In the Mohican cabin there was Nick, Joe and Jayce. Nick is an intense person who also goes with the flow as much as possible. Joe is a quiet and intelligent young man that was able to laugh at most everything including himself. Jayce, does a great “Cartmin” off the South Park show. I will never forget his recital of the alphabet during campfire.
In the Chippewa cabin there were Eddie and Jason. Eddie Bear, a big guy with a soft heart for his girl and his Garfield. I thought we were going to lose him when he came down with the flu but he hung in there and made it through to pull pranks on the last night. Every time I found Jason he was playing baseball. He is a good sport all the way around.
Our little song bird, Jessica, who related well with all the girls in her cabin being she was nearly their size! Lilly, who at age 15, carries herself with the grace and elegance of a princess. Katie, who has changed from the sweet little cherub I babysat when she was 18 months old into a gorgeous 15 year old with a good, (and beautiful) head on her shoulders. Lorna, a woman with a great big heart and a passion and sensitivity for YMCA traditions. Katie, Miranda and Janelle all special and beautiful girls that I am proud to know and admire for their patience and good nature.
At YMCA camp I met Michael, a 10-year-old boy with a much older soul. Michael had it rough I’m afraid because he is so smart his cabin mates gave him a very rough time. But I adored Michael’s intelligence and his use of language to express his thoughts and feelings. It was difficult to say goodbye to Michael when the week was over but in an effort to stem the flow of tears we both threatened to spill, I told Michael to think about the fun we both had and to remember that.
I will never forget Rebecca, Reba, and Becca. After meeting all three of her personalities the staff and I understood that Rebecca was the opposite of Reba who was generally pretty agreeable and nice. Becca only “appeared” once and did not give us much insight into her behavior. Reba told me she would like to be an actress when she grows up and I think one day she will be wonderful.
Patrick, Remy, Michael, Chastity and Tim, all kids from the school of hard knocks, leading a hard knock life and coping the best they can. As a former foster child I have a special feeling for these kids who are not quite sure what the adults in their life are all about.
My “right and left hands” at YMCA camp, Gabby and Rene, give new meaning to the phrase, “grace under pressure”. Without these two young women there was no way I would have been able to pull of my tenure as camp “director” because believe me the “direction” of the camp was in their capable hands. It was to these two that I looked for guidance, hope, inspiration and humor every minute of every day there, and they came through with flying colors.
Cheryl assured me that experience was not necessary, just a sincere love for children. I guess she was right because we all survived the week. I am so grateful that I was given the opportunity to attend YMCA camp and I believe it was a positive experience for both the children and myself.