The Little Things (Part Two)

So, part two of this post is going to focus more on the staff aspect of minor details that I took for granted and now I severely miss.

• Sully (an international counselor from Britain) had never had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich before (I know, it’s totally unbelievable!), and so I was the first person to make her a PB&J. It was cool to see her reaction to a food we, Americans, consider so commonplace.
• Aretha (a day-camp counselor that commuted) used to leave me little notes in my mailbox about once a week because I never really had a chance to talk with her since I always worked res camp. They said sweet, little, uplifting things that filled my heart with joy.
• Because I tended to injure my head one way or another at least everyday, Cheerio (the arts and crafts director) made me a helmet…made out of a milk jug. It was decorated with fabric and puffy paint- very in style! Although I don’t miss hitting my head, I miss having people that care enough to do something like that for me!
• The countless stories we would tell campers about our lives. My favorite was Bacon’s Big Move Love Story. It took place when she was in preschool and was VERY dramatic. Something I definitely miss hearing once a week.
• The banana phone calls between Bacon and Rafiki during lunch. They always told the stupidest jokes that I sort of just rolled my eyes at. Now I roll my eyes because lunch is boring without them.
• Singing “Taps” while taking down the flag every night. I love that song even if everybody is way off-key.
• The nightly congregation of whatever counselors were staying in that unit plus Bam BAM and Rev after the campers were in bed. I miss just discussing how everyone’s days went and sometimes laughing so hard we woke up campers. Whoops!
• Naps on the picnic tables during Me Time. I never wanted to nap in my cabin in case the campers needed me, so I would lay on the picnic tables. Doesn’t sound all that comfortable, but it totally was! See! (More on why I have a shovel later)

• The penguin skit. With Bacon driving, Buttons as a cop, Dandy and at least one other penguin, that skit was the best and it changed weekly. The punchline was always the same, but somehow that group managed to tweak it and make it better every week.
• Pack out dinners. While completely stressful and chaotic (and for those reasons I tended to schedule my break during them), nothing tastes better than food cooked over a campfire! Even the meals I don’t like I miss so much. Plus, puppy chow! I miss making weekly batches of puppy chow in garbage bags since we don’t have pots big enough!
• On the topic of puppy chow, the amount of puppy chow we ate a week was probably in no way healthy. But, Me Time snack or late night chow, it was always there. It was almost like the glue that brought us all together. It was something we could all bond over before delving into deeper conversations.

I’m sure there are countless more little everyday things that I regret not cherishing more that I unfortunately just can’t think of at this time. But, I know next summer I’m going to appreciate everything ten times more.

The Little Things (Part One)

One of the biggest things I learned this past year at camp is that it’s important to appreciate the little things. From small memories and crazy things that kids say, to little everyday things we take for granted, it all is important. I extremely miss some of these obscure things in my everyday life. Part One of this sequence is strictly camper memories while Part Two will be more staff oriented.

Some of my favorite camper memories this year include:

• Me: “During Me Time the floor is lava. You need to stay in your bed.”
  • Camper: “Well, I have lava boots….”
• Me: “Okay, time to pack up all your stuff so you can be ready for your parents.”
  • Camper: “How do I know what stuff is mine?”
  • My Co (thankfully!): If you didn’t see it at home before, don’t pack it!
• Me: “We walk at camp!”
  • Camper: “I SAW A BEAR!” (Sure she did…in Northern Illinois…)
• Camper: “My tummy hurts.”
  • Me: “Well, maybe drink some more water and check back in later to let me know how you’re feeling.”
  • Camper: *extended fart*
  • Me: “Or, maybe you just need to go to the bathroom….”
  • Camper: *Smile and nod of head*
• Camper “I just like you!”
• Me: “I haven’t gotten a friendship bracelet all summer, so if anyone wants to make me one, that would be great…”
  • Camper: 2 seconds later “I hear you haven’t gotten one all summer… here you go!” *hands me bracelet*
• Camper: *crying hysterically* “I can’t find my hat. I haven’t started looking for it yet but I lost it”
  • Me: “How about we look for it in the morning and you just go to sleep?”
  • Camper: “Okay.” *instantly stops crying*
• Camper (via a letter): “Thank you for being in my life.”

Sure, some of these situations stressed me out, but looking back on it I can fully appreciate all the little things my campers said. My campers were funny, caring, and I wouldn’t trade any of them for anything! Kids really do say the darndest things!