We're back in Sacramento and boy are things boring here at base. We have all the usual meetings and check-ins but it seems like everyone is phoning it in because they're ready to leave. I've been trying to get a head start on packing in order to pass the time but it ends up being a little stressful because I've managed to accumulate a TON of stuff the past 10 months. I'm also taking lots and lots of naps. I'm hoping to do some fun things these next few days to counteract the transition blues and leave the program on a high note.
Our last week at Camp Nawakwa was a high point of the round. We were able to complete construction on a new roof for one of the bathroom buildings as well as restore/build elements for a low-ropes adventure course. Because we had been camp counselors for 2 weeks it was nice to go back to shorter days and getting to use power tools. I also felt much more at home after experiencing camp and getting to know the staff better. They saw how committed we were to working hard and I know they appreciated us. They were also wonderful people who love camp and wanted to make sure we were happy and having a good time. I'll always be grateful for the hospitality and kindness we received from them.
Tomorrow morning I'm running my first 5k! I've been training for the past month or so and it's been nice to have a goal to work towards. I am definitely not a born runner and I think it's something that will always be hard for me but I am learning to enjoy it more. Because I run super slow I'm not aiming to finish in a certain amount of time - my goals are to finish and to run the whole time. I feel kind of silly knowing how long it will take me but I'm trying to focus on how far I've personally come and not think about the people who can run 3.1 miles in 20 minutes.
That's all for now...
Only 5 days left in NCCC!
Laura
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Sunday, July 3, 2011
Now that I'm a counselor, there's nothing I'd rather be...
My two weeks of being a full-time camp counselor have come and gone and although it was exhausting and sometimes drove me crazy I'm so glad I got to have the experience.
The first week was especially for kids from military families - mostly with parents currently deployed who are about to come home. They're definitely facing some unique challenges so it was great to see them connect with each other and get the chance to have fun without worrying about their parents. I was with 7/8/9 year old girls during this week and they could be a handful. There was a lot of crying because of homesickness and bugs but they were also a lot of fun. I was with them all day and night except for a 2 hour break in the afternoon and was responsible for making sure all their basic needs were taken care of as well as getting them to their activities. During the week they got to climb the rock wall, go canoeing, do archery, swim in the pool, go on a nature hike, do drama, make crafts, and go to campfires every night. There were also special activities from the organization that funds the military camp to help the kids connect with each other and their role as a child in the military. Because of that there wasn't much free time and things often felt rushed. This past week was much more relaxed because there were fewer campers and I had a slightly older age group. We also started to feel more at home and got into the swing of things. It was more of the same activities, homesickness, and silly songs but the kids had a blast and so did I.
We have a long weekend for the 4th of July and we've already done some shopping, seen Transformers (it was crazy to see Chicago getting destroyed in it), and swam in the mountain snow-melt waters of the Santa Ana River. Tomorrow we're celebrating with fireworks in Big Bear (the closest city to our mountain home). This upcoming week we'll be doing some more maintenance including finishing a new roof and building some low-ropes course elements for the camp. We'll be around for a few days the following week then are packing up and heading back to Sacramento for the end of the year. It's crazy how time has flown and my AmeriLife is almost over... I'm starting to get antsy about what the next part of my life will look like. For now I'm just trying to make the most of each day and enjoy what's happening around me.
The first week was especially for kids from military families - mostly with parents currently deployed who are about to come home. They're definitely facing some unique challenges so it was great to see them connect with each other and get the chance to have fun without worrying about their parents. I was with 7/8/9 year old girls during this week and they could be a handful. There was a lot of crying because of homesickness and bugs but they were also a lot of fun. I was with them all day and night except for a 2 hour break in the afternoon and was responsible for making sure all their basic needs were taken care of as well as getting them to their activities. During the week they got to climb the rock wall, go canoeing, do archery, swim in the pool, go on a nature hike, do drama, make crafts, and go to campfires every night. There were also special activities from the organization that funds the military camp to help the kids connect with each other and their role as a child in the military. Because of that there wasn't much free time and things often felt rushed. This past week was much more relaxed because there were fewer campers and I had a slightly older age group. We also started to feel more at home and got into the swing of things. It was more of the same activities, homesickness, and silly songs but the kids had a blast and so did I.
We have a long weekend for the 4th of July and we've already done some shopping, seen Transformers (it was crazy to see Chicago getting destroyed in it), and swam in the mountain snow-melt waters of the Santa Ana River. Tomorrow we're celebrating with fireworks in Big Bear (the closest city to our mountain home). This upcoming week we'll be doing some more maintenance including finishing a new roof and building some low-ropes course elements for the camp. We'll be around for a few days the following week then are packing up and heading back to Sacramento for the end of the year. It's crazy how time has flown and my AmeriLife is almost over... I'm starting to get antsy about what the next part of my life will look like. For now I'm just trying to make the most of each day and enjoy what's happening around me.
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