3 Months Back: Royal Family Reflection

Three months ago, my adventure at Dudley began. Here's an exert from a journal article I wrote on the first day of camp:

Well, I'm finally here. <3 I can't believe camp has already started; yet, it seems like just yesterday Magic and I were sitting in Flaming J's eating rice and starting out countdown to camp, which was 77 days away at the time.

I don’t think I’ll ever be able to fully express my love and appreciation for camp. I can honestly say that camp saved me, and now, I’m going to do everything I can to change these kids’ lives for the better. That is my #1 goal for this summer.

This week is Royal Family, which is a fabulous program for foster kids. It is such a fabulous program. I'm mainly here as a lifeguard, but I've been kept very busy belaying, prepping/cleaning after meals, and doing any other random jobs that need to be done. I'm truly happy to help.

I really enjoy guarding for these kids... they're very polite and so sweet. One little girl saw the box of flippers and asked if she could use them if she promised to share. How many eight year-old girls would do that? I was a little nervous at first because very few of them have ever been in a pool before, but it went way better than expected.

Yesterday morning we had jugs of milk out for breakfast, and one little girl came up and asked how much the milk would cost her. It just about broke my heart, but in a good way.

Today I realized just how much I want to do ropes down the road. I love belaying for these kids, cheering them on, seeing them almost give up, and then push themselves past their comfort zones and succeed. I just really love all the opportunities camp gives these  kids. I just love camp in general.

Low Ropes, Blindfolds & This Crazy Life in General

Growing up, I was always very independent and responsible. I sort of had to be. My mom was always in and out of the hospital, and my dad seemed to be busy doing other things. I, being the oldest child, had to step in where others could not. I eventually fell into a habit of trying to do everything on my own and stressing when I didn't quite measure up to high expectations. I resisted help when it was offered in fear of appearing weak or incapable.

Then , in middle school, I went to summer camp. There, I took the first step in breaking free of my "I don't need help" mindset. For a low ropes activity one sunny afternoon, my peers and I were all blindfolded and taken to a rope that we were told went from one tree to another. She told us to find the end of the rope. After a few minutes of struggle, the ropes director reminded us that we could ask for help if we wanted it--all we needed to do was raise our hands. I, of course, didn't need help. Until several minutes later when I still couldn't find the end of the rope. As I raised my hand, I felt stupid and ashamed. Then the lady came over and took off my blindfold, revealing a large square made from the rope, with the two ends tied tightly together. She then explained that, in many situations throughout life, it is vital that we ask for help, because there are some things we just can't face alone.

While I always remembered that lesson, I didn't fully internalize it until just recently. This summer I learned that many hands make lighter work and a happier, less-stressed out me. Another thing I learned is that help doesn't need to be a physical thing: help can be a text asking for advice or a hug. In fact, sometimes those are the best forms of help a person can ask for.

Now, for the flip-side of things. As evident above, not everyone is comfortable asking for help. Often times, saying, "Let me know if there's anything I can do" is not enough. Sometimes people need you to ask, "What can I do to help?". You may need to take the initiative to be supportive, lend a helping hand where you can, send that "How are you doing?" text and follow up, and so on. Having been on both sides of this scenario, I can promise you that people appreciate the comfort of knowing that you care. Just trust me on this one :)

So here's my challenge to you today: be the friend you wish you had, whether it be during a moment of chaos, heartbreak, stress, or everyday happenings. YOU can make a difference--and help a friend learn that it's okay to not be okay and that's okay to ask for help.

And that's my story.

Radiant, Match-Lit Candles

This summer evening settles down.

Orange smoke from crackling campfire

Floats through the Cascade air.

“Experience of a Lifetime” sign

Swings back and forth on it’s rusty hinges.

Ten o’clock.

 

The campers of Cabin 4 turn from fire’s warmth

And step into the shadows, to their temporary home.

Their faces beam with a pure, joyous light,

Like radiant, match-lit candles entering the starless night.

 

Ecstatic, they run about playing Pterodactyl and Kum-Cha

With best friends made in a day,

Creating memories that will survive eternity.

 

The children eventually settle down in creaky bunk beds

As Noodle lolls them to a solid slumber

With tales of Peter Pan and Cinderella.

 

At last, Camp Dudley comes to rest

In the deep-cast shadow of Kamiakin’s crest.

The familiar full moon stands guard,

Mirrored off Clear Lake.

 

The sky pinpricked God’s white blood

And scattered it amongst the vast unknown,

Dark as the deep in the black of an eye.

 

With sweet dreams of today’s adventures:

Hiking Round Mountain and daring the Leap of Faith,

Campers sleep soundly ‘til morning

When the first bird sings.

My Favorite Place

          Picture this: A young woman, wide eyes beaming with fully-charged optimism, drives her Ivory-white, vintage Buick along a half mile dirt road. She passes the hand-painted “Welcome to Camp Dudley” sign that swings back and forth on its rusty hinges and joins the heroic staff of her childhood summer camp. Her thin smile stretches upward and her long-hidden dimples reappear, the weight and worry of her world dissipating instantly.

That young woman is me. I work at a small, 11 acre summer camp situated on the breathtaking shores of Clear Lake. Camp Dudley was my home for eight weeks this summer, and it was, without-a-doubt, the experience of a lifetime. I have never been happier in my life. Everything just felt right: the staff was incredibly welcoming, the campers blossomed, and I loved teaching children of all ages. My soul was truly at peace and I felt in harmony with nature. Rays of heavy sunlight beamed down into our little world by day, and the familiar full moon stood guard in the heart of the sky by night, illuminating its brilliant light off Clear Lake. Looking up at the Heavens, the vivid stars looked like God’s white blood, pinpricked and splattered amongst the vast unknown, dark as the deep in the black of an eye, Demon or Deity. Thick smoke from the crackling campfire floated through the fresh, Cascade air, drifting over streams and stumps.

Camp was literally life-changing. I gained the confidence needed to overcome silent-but-toxic insecurities about myself. My belief in God flourished as I spent many nights in the open forest, gazing in awe at his beautiful, infinite creations. I learned a great ordeal about thinking on my toes, managing my time and energy, and being open, accepting, and charitable to everyone.

            I came to realize that true happiness occurs while in the service of others. At camp, I got to spend countless hours working with young, innocent children who have been guarded from the evils of the world as well as kids who missed out on childhood and were forced to grow up quickly. I loved getting to talk with these campers and give each of them a flicker of hope and love. Camp Dudley has the perfect combination of fun activities, good friends, positive role models, a strong sense of belonging, budding confidence, strengthened group unity and leadership skills, which ultimately offers a true experience of a lifetime. When the campers left at the end of each week, their faces seemed to beam with a pure, joyous light as they entered the starless night beyond camp.

I believe that camp changes lives. It changed mine. Camp, to me, is a Heaven on Earth, and it is a safe zone where I can be truly happy. Camp will always be my second home and favorite place in this world.

Tidbit of 2014

 

Yesterday my summer at Camp Dudley came to a close. It was my first summer on staff, and it was, without-a-doubt, the "experience of a lifetime." I've grown so much in the last 8 weeks as I've learned to think on my toes, manage my time and energy, improvise when things don't go as planned while keeping 100 kids entertained, live in harmony with 28 other staff members, accept and love children unconditionally, no matter how difficult it may be with some, learn to delegate and ask for help when it's needed, take initiative at times and step back as others lead the way in others, and so many other things. I became the jack of all trades as I mastered the art of quickly packing for the overnight camping trip, not spilling milk at breakfast, getting through KP fast enough to still have a rest hour, making age-appropriate lesson plans for the Arts & Crafts Program, keeping 20 little kids safe on the waterfront, and so much more. Needless to say, it was the best learning experience I've had thus far.

Camp this summer was literally life-changing. I gained the confidence needed to overcome silent-but-toxic insecurities about myself. My belief in God flourished as I spent many night in the open forest, gazing into the heavens at his vast, beautiful, infinite creations. I learned a great ordeal about being open, accepting, and charitable to everyone.

Just this last week, I was putting pony beads in a camper's hair during arts & crafts, and we started talking about our love for camp. This 12 year-old girl expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to be there (she was there on scholarship through Catholic Charity Families). She was amazed by how kind and loving and welcoming everyone was. She then explained that had been in the Foster System for four years, and was moving back with her mother a few days after camp, who she hadn't seen or talked to since she was 8 years-old. She was scared to death of facing that transition face-to-face, but she said camp gave her the courage to stand ready. The last thing she said to me was, "It's crazy that 6 days can change your life." Meeting her was definitely a "This-is-why-I'm-here" moment. She's completely right, too: Camp changes lives. It changed mine. Without it, I would not be the person I am today.

Another Way to Form Groups

Here's another way to form groups...have everyone pick a stick.

To Make :)

I'm going to make these and leave them around camp/in cabins :)

Acrostic Poem Bookmarks

Summer 2014

Acrostic Poems for Campers

If I get a cabin this summer, I'm totally making these:

HOW TO REALLY LOVE A CHILD

*Be there
*Say yes as often as you can
*Read books out loud with joy (especially at bedtime!)
*Encourage silly
*Giggle a lot
*Remember how small they really are
*Search out the positive
*Keep the gleam in your eye
*Go on a cookie quest in your pajamas
*Teach feelings
*Realize how important it is to be a child
*Plan to build a rocketship
*Stop yelling
*Invent and create together
*Surprise them
*Express your love. A lot.

Introverts and Extroverts

I know camp is an excellent opportunity to be loud, crazy, and energetic, but it's important to remember that introverts may prefer the more mellow activities like arts and crafts, OEE, board games, etc, and may not feel the urge to scream camp songs at the top of their lungs. That's okay. Let your campers' personalities shine through and make sure you appreciate them for who they are. :)

Seven Absolutes of Camp Counseling

Katnip's Introduction Video--That's Me!

Letters During Rest Hour

 

These need some adjustments for camp, but I would love to make a similar draft and print a stack of them for campers to take during rest hour.

Teaching Children about the Natural World

Dinosaur Eggs

The way I envision this activity to work is, have the campers make these early on in the week (it's a great listening/following directions activity, plus it's just plain fun!) and tell them to come back the next day to pick them up. Then, set up a treasure hunt that starts at the arts and craft shack and sends them all over camp to find the eggs before the dinosaur eggs hatch. They would complete the treasure hunt

What You Need:
•   2 and 1/2 cups flour
•   2 and 1/2 cups of dirt
•   1 cup sand
•   1 and 1/2 cups of salt
•   water
•   small plastic toy dinosaurs (available from toys stores)
•   rock
What You Do:
1.   To make the dough, mix all the dry ingredients together (flour, dirt, salt and sand).
2.   Gradually stir in enough water so that the mix holds together.
3.   Shape handfuls of dough around the small plastic dinosaurs in the form of egg shapes.
4.  Cook the "eggs" in the oven on a low setting.
5.   They can open them with a hammer or rock.

Favorite Memories Board

I want to dedicate a bullitin board in the Arts & Crafts Shack to posting favorite memories. I'll have a ziploc with pre-cut slips of paper and a pen pinned to the bottom of the board so campers can easily add a memory. I hope that, eventually, they'll get super overlapped and at the end of the summer, we'll have fun reading all of them and reflect on how many "experiences of a lifetime" we offered the campers over the summer.

Cabin Sticks

Every camper gets to paint/decorate a popsicle stick and they'll be arranged to make a bigger piece of art. It's a great cabin unity project!

Kids with ADHD

Children of Divorce

This is a really great website to look through if you have campers who are struggling with their parents' divorce or separation. It's worth looking through. :)

http://iamachildofdivorce.com/

What Children Need Most

Hallelujah!! As I read this list, I thought of examples from camp for each of these things. Camp offers countless opportunities for children to grow, dream, play, and be loved. That is the real purpose of summer camp.

Strategies for Resolving Conflict (Ignore the misspelled words)

Another "I Am" Project

 

Here's another "I Am" project!! With this one, paint the separate sections with watercolor paints, wait for it to dry, and use a permanent marker to write the descriptive words that your cabin mates gave you. Fun, easy, and confidence-boosting.

Spread Happiness: Make Sunshine Project

Spreading sunshine would be a wonderful craft for a rainy day! Start by cutting circles and orange flames, then gluing them together. Next, write "You brighten my day!" or any message, really. Next, spread happiness to others across camp. I think it would be fun to "sun attack" a cabin.

"I Am..." Posters for Older Campers

I hope that these "I Am" posters will reinforce campers' feelings of self worth and confidence. I have a lot of thick, cardboard mattes that can be used for this project. 

Process:
1. Paint the mattes (optional).
2. Decorate the wet paint with glitter (optional).
3. Decorate with scrapbook paper.
4. Draw picture of face (optional).
5. Choose description words from a pile of pre-printed slips
6. Glue on poster and add stickers//beads/more glitter and any finishing touches.

Personality Bracelets

1. Cut strips of thick cardboard.

2. Tape the entire surface of the band.

3. Use a gluestick to glue a strip of a book page to the inside. (optional.)

4. Lightly paint over both sides with watercolor paint.

5. Tape the ends together so it is a bracelet.

6. Glue a blank piece of paper over part of the front side or a typed word that describes you (brave, fearless, dreamer, kind, etc.)

7. Wear it with pride!

I want to do this with older cabins on the last day of camp. I want to write every camper's name on a blank sheet of paper and pass them around the table. Every camper can write one positive word about their cabin members on the papers and then make the bracelets based on what they said. By the end of camp, hopefully everyone has grown close and had plenty of bonding time. Doing activities like this can be incredibly transforming in a pre-teen's life: I remember during my first candlelight when I was 11, Cricket said that I was the "fun and mature one." Having her say that and label me in a way has really impacted my life. Those three little words. Since then, I have connected with people way beyond my years and really grown as an individual. I hope this activity can do the same for campers this summer!

Camp Counselor Job Description

Summer Staff

I would love to make this poster with watercolor paints for the staff room.

And write Dudley Staff 2014, of course <3

It's a great reminder of why we're here.

Camp and Comfort Zones.

This quote speaks the truth!! At camp, kids step miles out of their comfort zones as they try new things and make amazing friends. In such a supporting environment, campers are able to refine themselves for the better and reach their fullest potential. Camp offers lots of new, exciting activities that may appear scary or crazy at first, but end up opening new worlds and possibilities in the form of the words, "I can." Daring the rock wall or the talent show can lead to inner confidence that will be evident throughout the rest of their lives.

Camp is like a vitamin, but it tastes better

Genius.

X-TREME Week- May the Odds Be Ever in Your Favor

I'm going to order several copies of this (or make my own), and give them to every cabin for XTreme week and sign it, "Love, Katnip." Did I ever tell you about the year my cabin won XTREME week? We dominated.

Life-Sized Board Games With Chalk

While Monopoly might be too much, I think it would be fun to play Life-sized board games on the basketball court. Maybe everyone could help make a board game for arts and crafts, and then people could play as a session of all camp?

Counselor Characteristic-Driven

A driven individual is committed to excellence and high-quality performance through organization, resourcefulness, and natural optimism. A driven person takes initiative and has a solid work ethic. If something is expected of them, it will get done, and it will be done well. A driven person sees the bigger picture in a cause, and strives to unite the team around that vision. Also, a driven person has the ability to thrive in a fluctuating environment and transform unexpected obstacles into stepping stones for achievements and growth due to a broad range of social circles, interests, and experiences.

Counselor Characteristic-Role Model

Role models are positive influences on the people around them by exercising maturity, good judgment, and optimistic attitudes about life. A role model is a mentor who sincerely cares about others and shows it through actions and words. Positive role models are needed in a summer camp environment to provide campers with influential nurturers who will guide them towards strengthening their character, building confidence, and discovering their individual strengths. From what I’ve seen, the best counselors have that unique combination of a kid’s enthusiasm and an adult’s sense of responsibility, making them easily relatable to campers but also reliable as a staff member.

Counselor Characteristic-Team Player and Leader

A real leader is an influential individual of strong character with vision and direction, who leads by example to express love for others and unite the team. An effective leader takes initiative, solves unexpected obstacles and conflicts with poise, invests in others, and finds great satisfaction in helping others. In a summer camp environment, dedicated leaders with firm teamwork ethics are of utmost importance. Success depends on the team’s dynamics. No single person can do everything on their own, but with a united front, a team can reach great heights. Open communication and a willingness to improvise and be creative are important aspects of achievement. Always having the best interest of the team, a caring leader is dedicated to a cause and puts others’ needs ahead of her own.

Arts & Crafts Shack Project!

Here's what I did over the weekend! Major deep cleaning, organizing, and painting to prep for camp! Can you believe we only have 40 days til' camp?!?

BEFORE

 BEFORE AND AFTER

 AFTER

 

Flying airplanes at camp is not a thing.

Just don't do it.

That's all :)

2014: Summer of Change

(I meant to post this a while back but never did, so here it is.)

 

The Rusch's have been a positive influence in my life for the last two years; they and the rest of the camp family helped me gain self-confidence, develop strong leadership skills, and feel like I truly belong. Their love, appreciation & acknowledgment of my budding strengths and individuality have been invaluable. They have given so much love, time, and devotion to making Camp Dudley a magical place that we all consider our second home. This summer will be a year of change, but who said change is bad?

Change is new, and camp is about trying new things, pushing our comfort zones, and growing because of it.

The camp staff has always had a gift for adapting, and this year we will come together as team and a camp family. I am so excited to be a part of a new, exciting chapter of Dudley history <3

Cabin Unity/Counselor Gift/Craft Idea

For this craft, buy a puzzle with relatively large pieces and paint it all white. Each camper will get to paint a piece to make a village (or camp wide) puzzle. It would make a great counselor gift, caring for campers award, or a great object lesson for chapel. (Talk about how every piece is an important part of the puzzle, just like every camper is important in the cabin.)

Craft Shack Clean-Up Idea!

I think this would be a fun, effective way to get campers involved with craft shack clean-up. Each ball will have a small, simple task like clean paint brushes, wipe a table, empty garbage, pick 20 beads up off the floor, etc.) and every camper can pick one ball from a bag.

XTreme Week- Paint Balloon Mural Competition

   

Admit it, you've wanted to do this since you watched Princess Diaries. Here's how it'll go down:

 

XTreme week 2014.

Village competition.

Cabin-colored paint balloons.

XTreme points.

 

Every camper will be given three chances to pop the paint balloons that are on a poster board with darts. They will try to hit their cabin color, but if they accidently shoot the wrong one, too bad!

After everyone has a chance to go, whichever XTreme color appears more on the piece of art will win XTreme points.

 

*Use a funnel to put one TBS of paint in each water balloon, then blow it up with lots of air (the more pressure, the more splattering fun!). Hang them to the poster board by string or with thumbtacks and lay a plastic tablecloth down to catch the extra paint.*

 

(Here's another way to fill the balloons with paint.)