excitement

today was our last day of staff training for day camp. we went to a camp for the real staff training for monday-wednesday this week, and then yesterday and today we basically did a whole lot 'o' decorating at the church, preparing songs, skits, and all the last minute stuff. [i was busy doing other things like getting the first-aid kit ready and finalizing the menu/grocery list for our wednesday sleepover]. Are we ready? mostly. i know that we don't really have enough volunteers yet for week 1 (or the rest of the summer for that matter), but that will be okay. see, we only have 15 campers (a full camp is 45) for week 1, and we don't have any leaders-in-training, so i won't be as busy as i will for the rest of the summer. this is good. we'll be eased into the summer.

camp is going to be amazing this year. there are so many things that we've done different - and WAY better- than in the past years. see, day camp started 21 years ago with a handful of campers and 5 staff members. Now, we have 45-50 kids a week, an excursion every single day, games and songs all planned out, a new LIT program (that's my baby this summer), 8 staff members... etc. etc. we're actually going to have the songs on overheads (never been done before!) and we're going to have instruments too (also, never been done before. i know, it's crazy). and we have made so many decorations! it's "special agent" themed, so that was fun to go with. we have name tags that say, "Special Agent __________" where the kids write their name and a place for their photo (okay, they'll be drawing their own picture). on monday we're going to have a Special Agent Training Course (aka obstacle course) throughout the church and afterwards, once they've "passed", they get special agent shades. (sunglasses that cost us 35 cents each). we bought wristbands that should last the whole week, instead of tying flagging tape onto their little wrists each day. let me tell you, we've raised the bar. day camp will never be the same again!! the directors are going to have fun next year trying to make it as good!! haha! i know i won't be doing it again, since next summer i'll be doing my senior practicum.

okay let me tell you one thing that got me very excited this week. the LITs (leaders-in-training) were at the retreat this week. and as LIT director, i spent time helping to prepare them for camp. on tuesday i sat down with them and i asked them all why they want to work at camp, what they want to get out of it, what they wanted to achieve. and then i asked them all to make a few personal goals for themselves, and also ways that they can achieve these goals. okay, 6 high school students volunteering their time, with summer holidays just starting.... are they going to want to do this? i tried to make it as little like school as possible. i didn't tell them how many goals to make, i just said that this was for THEM. i wasn't going to mark them and they wouldn't FAIL as an LIT if they didn't reach their goals. i just want them to have something to strive for. and i was amazed. they sat there writing, probably for 15 minutes, without saying anything at all. just thinking and writing. and i read them later (i'm going to keep a copy so that i can encourage and motivate them throughout the summer) and they are good!! i'm so excited. each LIT is with us for 3 weeks this summer. i'm excited that this program is getting off the ground - excited for the LITs and for the camp.

i would really love it if you would pray for us. for lots of things, but right now, for health. i woke up on wednesday with a sore throat. it's still sore and apparently strep throat is going around. wow, do i ever NOT want to start off 8 weeks of camp with strep!! and i'm not the only one feeling it. yikes!! i'm praying that this is just a cold. well, tomorrow morning we're off to falcon lake with my parents. even though i don't usually sleep well when we're camping i'm hoping that it will be relaxing and wonderful for the mind & body because they both need it very badly.