What do I do? Well, on Sundays, I change into my Pistachio colored Staff shirt and prepare for my new group of campers. They arrive with parents/grandparents/guardians and meet me and claim their bunks and go off to explore Camp. Mid-afternoon begins Opening Ceremonies where we give them a preview of what the week to come will be like. We sing a song, introduce staff, and say bye-bye to parents. After a couple hours of Orientations on boats, canoes, health, and swimming, we have our first meal -- the best of the week! There is so much buzz and excitement going on, especially if it's the camper's first time at Camp. We sing songs, make other counselors do weird things, and yes, even the Hootchy Kootchy Dance.
Week 1 Group - Hollywood Week
Monday through Thursdays are long days. We get up to do the Polar Bear Plunge every morning at 7:15. Then get ready for breakfast. At 9:30 is the start of Program Areas where campers sign up to do different activities for 2 sessions each day. I run Target Sports, but there are others like Sailing, Sports, Nature, Outdoor Living Skills, Arts & Crafts, etc. After that, we incorporate one of my favorite things -- Service! We all have to do a Camp-wide service project for a half hour, whether it's picking up litter or re-organizing life jackets and canoe paddles. After lunch is my favorite part of the day -- REST HOUR! It literally is the best hour of the day! I can't wait for it, because us counselors get really tired keeping track of and keeping up with these campers everyday. It's amazing! Then it's Cabin Activity Time where each group does something with their own group for two hours; it's a neat bonding experience. We usually catch a lot of frogs and have frog races; it's a Camp favorite. Then it's Free time until dinner where the kids are on their own (well, with a buddy of course!) to do whatever they want, like swimming, boating, cross the rope bridge, etc. There is another Free time after dinner as well, where they normally race to the Camp Store as fast as possible to get their daily amount of Candy and Soda. After that is usually Camp Games, which equals the most fun for the Counselors while completely draining campers of energy! Games like Capture the Flag, The Great Escape, and Message to Garcia are always favorites. Then it's off to bed for the night! Wow, long days huh? :)
Week 2 Group - Carnival Week
My absolute favorite moments from Camp happen on Thursdays. That night, we have our largest campfire, where there are skits, songs, jokes, and even a rousing game of Butt Darts (don't ask). Everyone is encouraged to be a part of the campfire and they last over an hour. We slow it down with slower songs and things to reflect on. This is when it hits me that the week is almost over and I reflect on what a great week this has been and how much I really love Camp. The counselors all line up in front of the fire and we sing "On The Loose" (see lyrics below). It is officially the greatest song in my mind. We sing those powerful words in front of the campers, watching them look to all of their best friends they have made that week, crying, reflecting to themselves. It is really a powerful experience. We then walk our groups slowly and without sound to the waterfront and send off our dreamboats into the water. These pieces of wood covered with objects in nature and a simple candle are set out at dusk and with your group reflect on what an experience everyone just had. Emotions run high and everyone comes together for that one last experience of solitude. When everyone leaves the waterfront, I like to stay back a bit and admire the 15 or so candles floating in the water at dusk, seeing all of our memories captured right their for everyone to see. I could sit and watch that scene for a lifetime and be completely at peace and at ease, never wanting or desiring anything else.
What I have learned in these first three weeks of Camp is something stronger than anything I have ever felt. For once it hasn't been just about school, a career, or wanting the newest and coolest gadget. This time it has been about living in the now more so than ever before. It is about enjoying everything you have, and sharing it with everyone else. It is about the simplicity of nature, children, and even myself. As I said earlier, perfect seems to be the appropriate word of choice to describe Camp so far. It's not often when you can become so attached to 150 new people in the course of the week and then start all over again the next. All 150 bright and warm smiles are the most magical, and I feel like I am living a dream.
Check out pictures and updates each week at www.campunahliya.org
