Are we done yet?? I'm on my last leg at camp, it's a good thing we are about to start the last week, I wouldn't last much longer. 98% of the staff has been down here for 9 weeks plus and I have a feeling everyone is in the same boat.
We have had a little theory about camp this summer because we seem to have an unusually high amount of...behaviorally challenged children: brats. I mean, it is inevitable that every summer you will always have some kids who provide more of a challenge to the counselors than others. But this summer is one for the records. Therefore we have come up with our Camp Recession Theory.
Obviously summer camp is a want and not a need, it would clearly be the first expense to go when you are trying to cut back (and camp is VERY expensive). So logically you keep your kids home during these tough times. UNLESS it is worth every penny to get your children out of the house/out of your hair for 3+ weeks because they drive you crazy. And when doing a cost/benefit break down you'd rather spend a week without food than give up summer camp. Yes, these are the children we have this summer. There of course are some AWESOME kids at camp this summer as there always are...there is always the exception to the rule. Don't worry, I'm sure your child is the exception :)
I'll back up my claim with an brief explanation as to what was going on at this time last night... One child was locked in the bathroom refusing to come out for the past 45 minutes claiming to want to die rather than see anyone in her cabin's face again. This continued even after her counselor, a program staff member, and Nick (the director/owner) all attempted to get her to come out of the bathroom. While that was going on 2 other boys were brought into the office for fighting in the cabin. By this morning two cabins had been raided with their towels strewn through out the field and the camp bell was missing for a second time this session. The schedule board had been taken down with all the parts thrown around the river activities area and we have had more cabin meetings in Capaha (the office) than I care to count. Blah.
Phew...anyway on a positive note I got to do another K-Bridge float yesterday with the oldest girls cabin. K-Bridge was the 13 mile canoe float I went on with Katie on our day off when it rained almost the whole trip, but I love it so much it was fun anyway...remember? So it was great, the girls were awesome and we only had one canoe tip...not too bad! We jumped off the bluff, did a rope swing, went in the cave and still made it back with plenty of time for pizza when Nick arrived to pick us up! It's exhausting...but I LOVE that trip...have I mentioned that?
Roomies are still doing awesome and we're great and excited for a day off on Saturday...yay for floating...hopefully it will actually be sunny! Taylor's more than ready to leave Korea, his replacement arrived which makes him even happier. 25 days til he is home for the wedding and I can hardly stand it...I can't wait!! I'm not sure which of us is more excited, I guess he has more reason to be...but I tend to show it a little more...shocking...I know!
Alright, gotta go cook some snacks for my Junior Staff meeting tonight...last one of the summer!!
Love to all!
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Camp Bloopers
I head down to the river with the Crow boys (age 12-13ish) on Friday about to start a Splash Boating trip which is a normal weekday activity. Splash boating is pretty much a kid version of kayaking. You have your own personal boat that tips pretty easily because it's not built for those of us over the age of 15 or so...and you have a kayak paddle with blades on both sides. Clarissa and I were real excited to have an activity together, and we both really like Splash Boating...so it was gonna be a good time! We unload all the boats and put them in the river and one of the boys asks us, "Which way are we going???" Can I remind you that this is Friday, they have been here for a week and they have been on the river at least once, if not twice a day EVERYDAY, and we put in at the same spot every time...
(On a side note...one of our local drivers here has all kinds of crazy stories of people on the river and he had someone, staying at a local lodge on the river, once ask him, in all honesty, will the river loop back around to the lodge??)
Anyway, we then realize we are one paddle short because one is broken, so Clarissa volunteers to use a canoe paddle in her kayak...not an easy task. I take the front position and she takes the back...all the kids have to be in the middle. As she is attempting to use the canoe paddle to get her boat to move straight instead of in circles; I get in my boat and my swimsuit goes way up my butt and is super uncomfortable. As I'm trying to adjust I flip right out of my boat (before I have even paddled anywhere)...so here Clarissa and I are like two idiots stuck at the beginning of the float while the kids are cruising right by. I'm yelling at everyone to stop because I flipped and let me get back in and paddle to the front...but finally one of the CIT's took the front and I just let him go.
Another humorous moment that happened today...Katie and I made Jello shots in the kitchen on Saturday because we were having some people in our cabin to hang out that night. We used a pan from the kitchen and some extra Jello they had...(it pays to have a cook and cook's daughter for roommates at camp) So we made them and they were delicious...strong, but delicious...(although we bought vanilla vodka thinking we would be creative and make strawberry vanilla Jello shots...yeah...that didn't work it just tastes like plain vodka when mixed with strawberry Jello, FYI)
Anyway...Being the responsible staff member that I am, today (Sunday), I inconspicuously take the pan to the kitchen while everyone is outside eating dinner at the BBQ and I'm gonna clean it and put it right back where it belongs. Who do I run right into on my way into the kitchen? No one, but the big boss man himself! Nick says, "Ohhh...whatcha got there?" He looks in the pan..."Mmmm had some Jello shots, huh??" Thank goodness we have the most laid back, coolest boss ever, I said, "Yeah, we served it for one of the stations with the campers this afternoon...they loved it!" He just laughed and left the kitchen. Way to be sly, Katie.
Camp, for the most part, has been good. I'm a little worn out, but only 2 weeks left to go. It has gone by so quickly. As it is coming to an end, I can't help but think of all the things I have to do at home...my weekends are filling up quickly. I already have something to do every weekend I'm home in August and in October!! Ahh less than 3 months until Italy, it's coming so darn fast!
Taylor comes home on August 26th for a week for a friend's wedding...yaaaay...less than 1 month to go for that, I can't wait!!! Did I really just say he is coming home for a week? Yes, I did. He's crazy, I agree. He is doing the awful (approx 24 hours of) travel 3 times within 5 weeks because he comes home for good 1 month later on September 30th!
Anyway...lots of good things to come, weddings, husbands, honeymoons, oh my!!
KCTS AM 1610...signing off.
Good Night.
(On a side note...one of our local drivers here has all kinds of crazy stories of people on the river and he had someone, staying at a local lodge on the river, once ask him, in all honesty, will the river loop back around to the lodge??)
Anyway, we then realize we are one paddle short because one is broken, so Clarissa volunteers to use a canoe paddle in her kayak...not an easy task. I take the front position and she takes the back...all the kids have to be in the middle. As she is attempting to use the canoe paddle to get her boat to move straight instead of in circles; I get in my boat and my swimsuit goes way up my butt and is super uncomfortable. As I'm trying to adjust I flip right out of my boat (before I have even paddled anywhere)...so here Clarissa and I are like two idiots stuck at the beginning of the float while the kids are cruising right by. I'm yelling at everyone to stop because I flipped and let me get back in and paddle to the front...but finally one of the CIT's took the front and I just let him go.
Another humorous moment that happened today...Katie and I made Jello shots in the kitchen on Saturday because we were having some people in our cabin to hang out that night. We used a pan from the kitchen and some extra Jello they had...(it pays to have a cook and cook's daughter for roommates at camp) So we made them and they were delicious...strong, but delicious...(although we bought vanilla vodka thinking we would be creative and make strawberry vanilla Jello shots...yeah...that didn't work it just tastes like plain vodka when mixed with strawberry Jello, FYI)
Anyway...Being the responsible staff member that I am, today (Sunday), I inconspicuously take the pan to the kitchen while everyone is outside eating dinner at the BBQ and I'm gonna clean it and put it right back where it belongs. Who do I run right into on my way into the kitchen? No one, but the big boss man himself! Nick says, "Ohhh...whatcha got there?" He looks in the pan..."Mmmm had some Jello shots, huh??" Thank goodness we have the most laid back, coolest boss ever, I said, "Yeah, we served it for one of the stations with the campers this afternoon...they loved it!" He just laughed and left the kitchen. Way to be sly, Katie.
Camp, for the most part, has been good. I'm a little worn out, but only 2 weeks left to go. It has gone by so quickly. As it is coming to an end, I can't help but think of all the things I have to do at home...my weekends are filling up quickly. I already have something to do every weekend I'm home in August and in October!! Ahh less than 3 months until Italy, it's coming so darn fast!
Taylor comes home on August 26th for a week for a friend's wedding...yaaaay...less than 1 month to go for that, I can't wait!!! Did I really just say he is coming home for a week? Yes, I did. He's crazy, I agree. He is doing the awful (approx 24 hours of) travel 3 times within 5 weeks because he comes home for good 1 month later on September 30th!
Anyway...lots of good things to come, weddings, husbands, honeymoons, oh my!!
KCTS AM 1610...signing off.
Good Night.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Picture Update
I uploaded a camp photo album to facebook so I thought I'd share it on here. No need to be a member of Facebook, you should be able to just click on the link and be able to view the album...hope it works!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2355344&id=9402569&l=1ef030061e
In other Katie news:
I got my "official no fees" passport applied for out at Scott Air Force Base the other day. As it turns out the very important form that HAD to be completed online and printed out...was the EXACT form you pick up at the post office to apply for a passport, so with a little competence, it could have been done the first time I drove to St. Louis to complete it. I was also informed I'll have to drive back up there in 6-8 weeks to pick up the passport when it comes in! Man, oh man.
Third session has started...I have lots of CIT's...there are a lot more kids in general...it's cool and rainy today...and I currently have 2 minutes until I'm supposed to be at my next activity, canoeing...but that will probably change because of the weather. I'll upadate again later...enjoy the pics!
And a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my Dad!!!!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2355344&id=9402569&l=1ef030061e
In other Katie news:
I got my "official no fees" passport applied for out at Scott Air Force Base the other day. As it turns out the very important form that HAD to be completed online and printed out...was the EXACT form you pick up at the post office to apply for a passport, so with a little competence, it could have been done the first time I drove to St. Louis to complete it. I was also informed I'll have to drive back up there in 6-8 weeks to pick up the passport when it comes in! Man, oh man.
Third session has started...I have lots of CIT's...there are a lot more kids in general...it's cool and rainy today...and I currently have 2 minutes until I'm supposed to be at my next activity, canoeing...but that will probably change because of the weather. I'll upadate again later...enjoy the pics!
And a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my Dad!!!!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Hello from camp world!!
I'm still alive! I haven't written in awhile, I know. I haven't talked to anyone in awhile, I know. I'm in my camp world and it's really hard to participate in two worlds at once!
We are now in the final week of second session. It has gone by so quickly! The fam is doing great, I just love having everyone down here at once. I'm with a relative on almost every activity, a nice treat since we all live so far away!
We had our 4th of July Jamboree, which is always great fun! Everyone was dressed in lots of red, white, and blue. I bought ribbons, glitter stickers, and USA beads just for the day! And of course Mama sent great packages with a 4th of July towel and decorations! Clarissa woke us up over the PA singing the Star Spangled Banner...an original rendition. And Nick gets a big kick out of waking the kids up with loud fireworks in the morning that sound like bombs going off because they echo through camp! Those who have been here for years know what to expect...but you never really get used to waking up to that sound! That night we had the dance and then Nick and others put on a big fireworks show for everyone over the tennis courts...I love the 4th at camp!
Other highlights would include...
1) Turtle soup night! Whenever Bud catches a turtle on the river we get to have turtle soup. It was a nice chilly night and it is so delicious. It is just like chicken noodle with vegetables, noodles, and turtle and it's usually pretty spicy!
2) Clarissa's party! Katie and I planned a party for Clarissa to celebrate her wedding. We had a whole night of stations that included her favorite things as well as things she hates...things such as: 4th of July, Sweet Potato Queens, her dog, vomit, Victoria Secret, winter, Boston, her family, and our big surprise of Jason (her fiance...working in DC this summer) flew in to surprise her. She had figured out he was coming that day...but the rest of the staff was surprised because we didn't tell anyone except Clarissa's parents and Nick that Jason would be in town. It turned out to be a lot of fun :)
3) Our K-Bridge float. Katie Berry and I canoed K-Bridge on our day off on Sunday. It is a 13 mile canoe float that starts close to camp and ends at K-Bridge in Anapolis, MO. We did it to make sure it was clear and passable for the campers to canoe. It usually takes 6-7 hours, but we made it in 4 hours! We got on the water at 730am and it was cloudy with an occasional down pour and pretty consistent rain sprinkles through the whole trip...but it was actually a lot of fun! We were dying laughing at the humor of our situation when an hour into our "6 hour float" we were canoeing through a down pour, soaking wet, with 5 hours to go! But the rain lightened up and even stopped for awhile. We packed a little lunch and our only stop was to sit and eat for about 20 minutes. It's amazing the time you cut out when you don't have 10 boats, when you don't stop to swim every hour, when you don't cook your lunch over a fire, and when you don't stop to explore the cave in the bluff along the way. Those are all things we do with the campers. Anyway...we both love the trip and had a lot of fun together!
4) My parents and my brother, Drew are coming to STL this weekend when they pick up Kelly from camp! Yay, I'm excited to see them!
Things that weren't so great:
I drove into St. Louis on Sunday night, after my 13 mile canoe float, so that I could go to Scott AFB on Monday morning to get a special passport needed for my Visa for Italy. (Which was annoying in itself that I have to go to an Air Force Base to get this special Visa) And when I called the AFB in the morning I was informed that the website needed to fill out the application was down that morning and they weren't sure when it would be back up and working. She was really sorry, but there was nothing I could do when the website is down and it wouldn't be worth me driving the 45 minutes out to the base if it wasn't working. I did mention that I had already driven 2 hours to come into St. Louis to do this today...but that didn't make a difference! I then ranted to Taylor about his stupid job and he calmly and rationally reminds me that at least he has a job and I shouldn't be complaining. And he goes on to welcome me to the military and says this is just the beginning of many, many more frustrations when dealing with the government. He then proceeds into classic Taylor political talk that I won't go into...but when the government runs your life (and by runs your life I mean your job and your healthcare), you'll think twice about how much responsibility you really want to hand over to them! Anyway, needless to say all I got done out of the trip to STL was a nice visit with Aunt Joyce and Uncle David, a nice nights sleep in my cousin's comfy memory foam bed, 3 loads of laundry, and a delicious lunch at PF Changs. I mean it wasn't a bad day at all, but just didn't get the one thing done I really needed...just lots of bonuses! And I checked the website today...don't worry...it's up and running fine, of course. Welcome to the military!
Alright...it's about 1015 here and I have a 4 period canoe float in the morning and a cookout for lunch with about half of my CIT's tomorrow...then the pool and a creek hike in the afternoon. Busy, busy day! Sorry I don't have any pictures, I can't upload them on the internet here...they'll have to wait til later.
Oh...Taylor and I are going to finally get to go on a honeymoon! We're going to the Dominican Republic in October...in between the UT football games. Yes, really, it is planned in between Saturdays.
Goodnight and GO VOLS!
We are now in the final week of second session. It has gone by so quickly! The fam is doing great, I just love having everyone down here at once. I'm with a relative on almost every activity, a nice treat since we all live so far away!
We had our 4th of July Jamboree, which is always great fun! Everyone was dressed in lots of red, white, and blue. I bought ribbons, glitter stickers, and USA beads just for the day! And of course Mama sent great packages with a 4th of July towel and decorations! Clarissa woke us up over the PA singing the Star Spangled Banner...an original rendition. And Nick gets a big kick out of waking the kids up with loud fireworks in the morning that sound like bombs going off because they echo through camp! Those who have been here for years know what to expect...but you never really get used to waking up to that sound! That night we had the dance and then Nick and others put on a big fireworks show for everyone over the tennis courts...I love the 4th at camp!
Other highlights would include...
1) Turtle soup night! Whenever Bud catches a turtle on the river we get to have turtle soup. It was a nice chilly night and it is so delicious. It is just like chicken noodle with vegetables, noodles, and turtle and it's usually pretty spicy!
2) Clarissa's party! Katie and I planned a party for Clarissa to celebrate her wedding. We had a whole night of stations that included her favorite things as well as things she hates...things such as: 4th of July, Sweet Potato Queens, her dog, vomit, Victoria Secret, winter, Boston, her family, and our big surprise of Jason (her fiance...working in DC this summer) flew in to surprise her. She had figured out he was coming that day...but the rest of the staff was surprised because we didn't tell anyone except Clarissa's parents and Nick that Jason would be in town. It turned out to be a lot of fun :)
3) Our K-Bridge float. Katie Berry and I canoed K-Bridge on our day off on Sunday. It is a 13 mile canoe float that starts close to camp and ends at K-Bridge in Anapolis, MO. We did it to make sure it was clear and passable for the campers to canoe. It usually takes 6-7 hours, but we made it in 4 hours! We got on the water at 730am and it was cloudy with an occasional down pour and pretty consistent rain sprinkles through the whole trip...but it was actually a lot of fun! We were dying laughing at the humor of our situation when an hour into our "6 hour float" we were canoeing through a down pour, soaking wet, with 5 hours to go! But the rain lightened up and even stopped for awhile. We packed a little lunch and our only stop was to sit and eat for about 20 minutes. It's amazing the time you cut out when you don't have 10 boats, when you don't stop to swim every hour, when you don't cook your lunch over a fire, and when you don't stop to explore the cave in the bluff along the way. Those are all things we do with the campers. Anyway...we both love the trip and had a lot of fun together!
4) My parents and my brother, Drew are coming to STL this weekend when they pick up Kelly from camp! Yay, I'm excited to see them!
Things that weren't so great:
I drove into St. Louis on Sunday night, after my 13 mile canoe float, so that I could go to Scott AFB on Monday morning to get a special passport needed for my Visa for Italy. (Which was annoying in itself that I have to go to an Air Force Base to get this special Visa) And when I called the AFB in the morning I was informed that the website needed to fill out the application was down that morning and they weren't sure when it would be back up and working. She was really sorry, but there was nothing I could do when the website is down and it wouldn't be worth me driving the 45 minutes out to the base if it wasn't working. I did mention that I had already driven 2 hours to come into St. Louis to do this today...but that didn't make a difference! I then ranted to Taylor about his stupid job and he calmly and rationally reminds me that at least he has a job and I shouldn't be complaining. And he goes on to welcome me to the military and says this is just the beginning of many, many more frustrations when dealing with the government. He then proceeds into classic Taylor political talk that I won't go into...but when the government runs your life (and by runs your life I mean your job and your healthcare), you'll think twice about how much responsibility you really want to hand over to them! Anyway, needless to say all I got done out of the trip to STL was a nice visit with Aunt Joyce and Uncle David, a nice nights sleep in my cousin's comfy memory foam bed, 3 loads of laundry, and a delicious lunch at PF Changs. I mean it wasn't a bad day at all, but just didn't get the one thing done I really needed...just lots of bonuses! And I checked the website today...don't worry...it's up and running fine, of course. Welcome to the military!
Alright...it's about 1015 here and I have a 4 period canoe float in the morning and a cookout for lunch with about half of my CIT's tomorrow...then the pool and a creek hike in the afternoon. Busy, busy day! Sorry I don't have any pictures, I can't upload them on the internet here...they'll have to wait til later.
Oh...Taylor and I are going to finally get to go on a honeymoon! We're going to the Dominican Republic in October...in between the UT football games. Yes, really, it is planned in between Saturdays.
Goodnight and GO VOLS!
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