So since I have now been at camp for 8 weeks, which is longer than I ever have been before in the history of my summers at camp, I have been thinking about what it is about this place that draws me back every year. I'm curious as to why it is that I'm ok with giving my entire summer away, losing any opportunities I could have to travel, or see old friends, or just relax, in order to come here and spend 12 weeks making kid's summers more awesome.
I've been thinking about how awesome my job is specifically this summer, not being in the cabins with the kids any more but still getting to interact with them every day. That's pretty cool.
I've also been thinking about the benefits of the job, like how good it will look on my resume or the countless skills I am learning from being in this postion, from management skills to people skills to problem-solving skills, you name it. Definitely beneficial.
I've been thinking about the tan I get...that's always nice. :) Although not super applicable at the moment because we've been in rain for the past week...I'm ready for the sun to come out. Anyways, not the point.
I've been thinking about the growing I do as a person each summer, whether it's patience I grow in or organization (neither of those things are my strong suit).
I think what I've come to, though, has been the relationships I create here. And that goes in so many ways. First, of course, there are the people I meet. I'm not saying that every person I meet I'm all of a sudden best buddies for life with, of course there have been people that I met and knew for the summer and never spoke to again. That's actually often the case. But the friendships that have made it through summers at camp, like Alexandra Brown, Katy O'Dell, Jordan White, Sammy Littlepage, and a few more, are what make this place as special to me as it is. Those girls are people that I know will be in my life for the rest of it hopefully, and I know that no matter what they are there for me. Not that I don't have relationships like that outside of camp, I could go on a week-long rant about how amazing my friends outside of camp are, but there's something really awesome about being connected with a group of people that I never would have met if I hadn't come to camp. It adds a different element to my life, I feel like. I don't know if I'm making any sense, but with 4 weeks to go here, that's where I am right now. A lot has happened this summer, and I'm sure a lot has yet to happen, but I know that these girls are here for me.
On the other side of relationships, though, there's how much I grow with God each summer. I think it's probably because without Him I would be a terrible counselor/person who interacts with children, and I understand that. Whatever it is, though, I feel like I try more over the summer. I wish I could hone whatever that is in so it could be applicable outside of camp, and that's definitely something I want to work on once I leave here. But it's so good that I have that each summer; exceeding amounts of patience, love, peace, and energy that I would never have otherwise. I would not be the person I am here at camp without Him.
All of this to say that I'm going to miss this place and I am not looking forward to having to leave in a month. At the same time, I'm excited for the new challenges and experiences that wait for me outside of this positive bubble. 12 weeks here will probably have a bit of an effect on how I react to the real world when I finally get back out there.
Anyways, I'm going to go give 260 children popcorn now. Also, I'm pretty sure I currently reek of butter...oh, the joys of running movie night. :/
Courtney
P.S. Still strugglin' on the candy front...you'd think I would lose weight being at a sports camp for 12 weeks but oh no, not the case. *shrugs in acceptance of fatty fate*
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