Top Ten Thing I Learned at Camp

Having just returned from camp, and having another 6 loads of (camp-damp) laundry to wash, lets suffice for a top 10 list:

The top 10 things I learned at camp are:

10. Bug juice and "The Princess Pat" remain the same despite the passing of time

9. Girl-drama exists even in the woods.

8. Boy-drama is worse than girl-drama

7. Pubescent boy-drama is enough to make me wish to be anywhere else than in the midst of it

6. Kids love to have fun

5. Kids also love to be noticed for who they are

4. No matter how you spell it, three is too many "Jacob/Jakeb" s in one cabin

3. Anbesol takes the drama out of wasp stings

2. Despite having wonderful days - it is good to be home

And the number 1 thing I learned at camp

1. There are many, many opportunities to pray!

Back to Camp Life

I must admit, I was a little nervous. It had been over 20 years since I'd set foot in a camp. What if camps had changed as much in two decades as the rest of the world had?

That was only the beginning of my "what if..." list. The rest began with "What if I wasn't any good at "camp nursing"?", "What if I was appalled at the number of medicated kids?", "What if my kids hated it?", "What if...", "What if...."

Somehow, I figured most of those were just fear talking, and all would be fine... but seriously, the number of medicated kids really, really concerned me. I was afraid I'd be disheartened.

So, I did all I knew to do.... I prayed. For lots and lots of things. For wisdom and endurance for me, for health and safety for everyone at camp. I prayed that I would handle my responsibilities with grace. I prayed that the fact that we were meeting at camp would lessen the "re-entry syndrome" we experience when my kids return from their dad's.

I also requested prayers from friends. General prayers for safety, health and wisdom, as well as more specific ones from time to time.

I arrived to find the camp without power, and my living quarters had recently treated for brown recluse spiders - traps still in the corners of the building. As I put my first load of belongings into my residence, I picked up my cell phone. I text'd a few praying friends two specific requests: restoration of power and protection from spiders. (both were answered!)

Not long after, campers began to arrive. Some excited, some apprehensive. The first night was busy with paperwork and preparations, but it steadily transformed itself into the camp life that I know and love. Laughter, teamwork, kids being kids. Full, deep breaths of fresh air. Beautiful days. Peaceful nights.

It was a wonderful, wonderful week - I learned much. With time to sit and read, pray and reflect, He had time to speak to me... and I had time to listen (when I wasn't searching for my camera battery charger!)

We had fun. We made friends. We were challenged. We're looking forward to next year!

But, I can tell already....until then.... I'm going to miss "rest hour".

Amen and Amen...

It was a WONDERFUL week at camp!! I couldn't have asked for more - perhaps a little more in the "remembering" department - for example, say that I wouldn't be home until this afternoon! DOH... Oh well... "another opportunity to embrace my imperfections".

Suffice it to say that I learned much(more later!) and my prayers were answered regarding the whole experience. All the fears that I had prayed about were answered. Campers and Staff (for the most part) stayed safe and healthy! Very few visited for homesickness.

The week was best summed up in my response to a question my son asked as I was packing my things from the nurse's quarters. He had picked up a bottle of lice shampoo and he asked if I would have to give it to the campers. I told him "no, I'd have to help them wash their hair". He then asked "did you have to?" "No." I replied. "Why not?"

"Because there is a God in heaven who loves me VERY much!"

Amen and Amen!!

Camp Songs.... of course!

One of my favorite activities at camp always involved a campfire. Sitting, talking, singing. There are several songs that have stuck with me through the years, written on my heart, or deep in my memory bank.

They all taught me something important about myself, or the art of living.

One of my very favorites is entitled, Today.

"Today, while the blossoms still cling to the vine. I'll taste your strawberries, I'll drink your sweet wine. A million tomorrows shall all pass away, e'er I forget all the joy that is mine, today...."

It was such a gift to me in the years that I was constantly living for the next moment! I'd rush right through what was going on, anticipating the next thing. What I didn't realized was that I was speeding through - without fully experiencing - the joy!

Another of my favorite songs was The Human Touch. It was a song that we used as part of a closing ceremony, whether it be the last day of camp, or the last song for the evening campfire.

It begins:

"It's the Human Touch in this world that counts, the touch of your hand in mine, that means far more to my fading heart than shelter, bread, and wine...."

It helped me to realize what is truly important in life - people. Loving each other. Be there for each other.

I pray that I remember the power of touch this week - and to cherish each moment with all of these children!

Thank You, God, for this opportunity!!

Camp Memories

As I prepare to spend a week as "Camp Nurse", with my children as campers, I thought I'd share some of my camp memories through the years. Starting, of course at the beginning.

I have vague memories from my very first experience as a camper. One thing does stand out, though: I had tried to roll all my belongings up in my sleeping bag - like a good Girl Scout would. On my way from Massachusetts to New Hampshire, it managed to unroll in the bus storage compartment . I recall being embarrassed as a "tween", watching my things being tossed from the back of that compartment, gathering them and trying to stuff them into my sleeping bag to carry to my tent.

Despite that beginning, I returned to camp every summer for several years. I spent my first summer at Camp Wabasso in New Hampshire as a camper - and later as a Counselor-in-Training. In between I spent two years on Martha's Vineyard at the Sailing Camp...one participating in camp activities, the second in the infirmary.

I took one summer away from the camp tour entirely, spending six weeks in Mexico. But, I soon returned to Summer Camp life as staff at a YMCA camp in Connecticut.

I learned much about myself, and relating to others at camp. Memories from those years are cherished and held close to my heart. It only takes a song or a campfire to bring me back.

As we begin this week, I'll share my wish for my children: That they create wonderful memories, create new friends, and grow in ways only camp can encourage.

I'll also ask for prayers (again): for me and all of the children who will be there this week.

God bless us every one!