"Give me just a little more time"

I know this post isn't necessarily "camp" related, but it's related to time, which is kinda related to camp in the since that I'm only at camp for a short time. Today was PC's graduation, and it has probably been one of the most surreal moments of my life. As I sat on PC's beautiful lawn, I watched friend after friend cross the stage and receive their diploma. Finally, it's hit me that this time next year, that will be me...and I don't think I've ever been more sad or terrified. I'm confidant that PC has prepared me for life in the real world, but I love PC so much I literally don't want to leave.
Driving back, I was jamming to a solid mix cd I made before I left and the classic shag song "Give me just a little more time" came on and I just couldn't help but to smile...how fitting. A little more time...isn't that what we all want sometimes? More time with our loved ones, more hours in the day, more time to sleep or rest, or more time just to get all of our work done. This summer and this coming school year, I'm going to try to stop wishing for more time and, instead, to take advantage of the little time I've been given on this earth. Because, quite frankly, the next year is going to fly by. And soon, too soon, I'll be walking across a stage in front of Neville hall, shaking our President's hand, and receiving my diploma. Soon, I'll be leaving PC and heading to life in the real world.
Until then, here's to enjoying the time I have with the people I love and the things I enjoy.

The Diva is Back!

Sorry about my hiatus, friends! 
Well, earlier this semester the time came to decide what I wanted to do this summer. Of course I had so much fun last summer at camp but did I want to do it again? PTL Anna and Kanuga came to  PC for a camp fair and I immediately knew after i felt the immense amount of pride I had for Kanuga that I had to go back. And luckily, I convinced two of my besties, Harriet and Townley to apply to work there too!
We found out a few weeks ago that we all got hired! What a blessing it will be to have two of my dearest friends at camp this summer for a few reasons:
1)We're all 21 now, so I'll have someone to do adult things with on weekends
2) I'll always have a little piece of PC with me in the mountains with my pals
3) I can get away from the young crowd from last year...you know how much I love a good highschool throw down! not.
4) I know they'll always have me laughing
5) They're my sisters...any other reasons? 


Although I'm super bummed that my old boss, Anna, left us and decided to pursue a different career path, I'm super excited about working with Bethany this summer! I've only met her via Skype but she seems really awesome and so fun!

My job this year is different than last year. Although I will for sure miss my babies in the Baker Building I wanted to work in more than just one area of Kanuga, so I applied to be the Assistant to the Program Director, which means I kind of help with everything. If a program needs an extra hand, I fill in, or I help get carnival together, or help set up for an event. Kind of an all-conclusive job description which I feel like fits me well because I don't have a very long attention span. 


Thinking about this summer makes me so happy, yet so sad at the same time. This week at school it's our last week of classes and I've already begun counting down "The Lasts"...and I'm thinking of this summer as "my last" summer of freedom. Ideally, next summer I'll either be preparing for Graduate School or be Employed by the real world, but if that doesn't work out I'll always be welcome at Kanuga. I cannot believe I'm almost a Senior...until I have to face the facts, I'm going to continue living in denial while getting tan. 


I leave June 4 so let the countdown begin! Until then, here's a list of everything I'm excited for this summer:
1) Seeing my babies from the Baker Building..in particular, Sweaty May. 
2) Reuniting with my old pals from last year, specifically Nan, Chelsea, Kat, and Nicole. 
3) THE LAKE...seriously it may smell funky some days but it is so beautiful
4) Slip N Slide
5) Building back up my Chaco Tan
6) Playing No Bones
7) Carnival Nights 
8) Smiling and trying to suck up to Miss Anita
9) Getting to order prizes off of Oriental Trading...I could do it all day
10) Rocking on the big front porch of the conference center...one of life's little pleasures.


I'll cut the list there, but here's to another summer of laughs, sun tans and some more funny stories to throw your way! 

Thank You, Miss Emma

It's been a little over two months since I've stepped foot on Kanuga property. Two months filled with stress, learning, laughter, smiles, tears, running, jumping, swimming, reading, singing, tie-dying, coloring, imagination, boo-boos, friends, frustrations, and a little bit of blood. I've experienced so much that has helped me grow as a person and a leader. I've come into contact with some kids who I absolutely adored and others who I anxiously awaited their departure from the Children's Program. Going into training, we were told that we would have kids that fell into those two categories, yet the ones who would teach us the biggest lessons would be the difficult ones; the ones who we couldn't wait to get rid of at the end of each day. This past week, I had quite a few of these kids; specifically, there was a group of 4 or 5 little boys that were all 4 and 5 who knew exactly how to grind on mine and each others nerves. During those 5 days, the Lord taught me more about patience and understanding than I could have imagined possible. I learned how to deal with difficult children, and I gained a huge respect for their parents, who gave me the same "I'm so sorry that he _________ today" speech after every program. After all the stress of the week, one of the little boys who gave me the toughest time looked at me and very secretly whispered the best 7 words I've heard all summer: "I had fun, Miss Emma. Thank you" Those are the kids that make my experience here the learning experience that it's become. Those are the kids that teach me about being a good care-giver. Those are the kids that teach me patience and perseverance. Those are the kids who make me thankful for my parents and their patience with me as I grew up. But those words? The words "Thank You" are the words that make me the most thankful that God has given me such an amazing opportunity to affect these kids' lives in the best way possible. They're the words that make me get up and go to work each morning. They're the words that make me want to stay a little longer.

I had a grandma come up to me at the close of the week and tell me some of the best news I've heard all summer. She is a big donor of Kanuga and somehow, I know she sensed that I was having a stressful day...and she was right. I had two counselors who were not doing what they were supposed to be doing on top of being a counselor short, I had kids running around not listening to their counselors, and I had popsicles and empty water cups in my hands. She quietly asked me to speak to her in private for a second. Ms. Wilson proudly told me that she has been bringing her children and grandchildren to the Baker Building for 34 years and that this year has been the best it's ever been--the counselors have been welcoming, and the directors have been organized and so inviting to every kid. (You'd be surprised at how hard it is to memorize 30 names in 3 hours) Ms. Wilson not only gave me this flattering news, but said that she also told the exact same thing to the President of Kanuga in hopes that he would notice our hard work. Right as she began to leave, Ms. Wilson handed me some folded dollar bills and politely asked me to divide them evenly among me and my counselors.
Isn't it amazing how the Lord works? He took my crappy day and attitude and quickly showed me that things aren't as bad as they always seem. Sometimes, it's just up to us to take a step back, take a breath, and just be a kid. It's okay to ignore the popsicle trash for 20 minutes in order to read a story to a group of quiet little girls and it's okay to have a little chaos in order to hear those two words that keep me going..."Thank you." I realize that I don't say those words as much as I should--not only to my co-workers, parents, and friends, but to the person who I have the most to thank--my Father. This whole experience has taught me the importance of thanks and I have a lot to be thankful for.

Not my week

This week:

I sliced my finger open cutting apples and had to clean up my blood from the kitchen walls, fridge, sink, and counter.

I had to kick two kids out of program.

I ran carnival by myself...and it got rained out.

Two kids fell and busted their heads open.

A kid stuck a bead up his nose.

A mom complained about a towel being on the front porch...and then later apologized about being a "Bitch" in front of her 3 year old daughter.

A kid pegged me in the head with a ball.

And another kid referred to me as "the tan girl who gives us snack

A mom from last week called and asked Kanuga to refund her for her daughter's "birthday shirt" because the Tempura paint won't come off.

A kid peed herself all over the bathroom floor.

And more than one kid stripped in the middle of the Baker Building floor.

Welcome to the Children's Program at Kanuga Conference Center.

"Don't be alarmed if..."

Story time!
So, a few weeks ago, we had what has been my favorite group of kids. They all were really sweet, and most importantly, we didn't have any major allergy or medical issues...or so I thought. You see, on each registration form, there is a big area that says "medical or dietary issues we need to know about". You can't miss it. Really. Now, keep this in mind during the rest of this.
So, one day while walking our kids to the lake, one of our counselors approached a dad and asked him if his daughter (let's call her Jane for anonymity) should take her glasses off to go swimming. He politely told her that yes, she could, but...and I quote "Don't be alarmed if her eye comes out. She has a prosthetic. Just don't let her rub it too much, and she should tell you if it falls out" WHOA. This wasn't on the form! Can you imagine what would happen if I HADNT known and it had fallen out? Do those things float? Luckily, the lake went fine and no eyes fell out of any body.
Now, fast forward a day or two. Our counselors took our little 3-4 year olds on a rather long hike. Jane, falling into this group, was one of the smaller kids, so about half way through the hike, she asked one of the counselors to carry her because she got tired. From the point of where she was picked up to the Baker Building was approximately a fourth of a mile or so...nothing too huge. So, Counselor A returns to the Baker Building with Jane and politely hands her over to the parents. With all of the counselors and a lot of the parents standing around, Jane's mom exclaims, "Honey, where is your eye? It's not in." I COULD HAVE DIED. right there. The next hour and a half, Counselor A and Jane's mom, in addition to half of Kanuga maintenance and staff, hiked the lake trail looking for the eye and FINALLY found it right back in front of the Baker Building.
Anywho, lesson to be learned here. PUT EVERYTHING ON MEDICAL FORMS and read them...you never know when you may lose a fake body part.

Top 5 Things I've Learned So Far

1) Always Be Prepared

Vague? yes. I meant to do that. I've learned to be prepared for any and everything...like being stuck inside for 3 hours with 30 screaming 3,4,5, and, 6 year olds because of a massive thunderstorm. Or like being promoted to Director of your program and being given a week to transition and hire a new assistant director. Cool. Or...be prepared to have a 5 year old who isn't potty trained. According to Mom, "we just haven't gotten to it yet." Okay. Orrrr even being prepared to search for a fake eye around the lake.

2) Sleep. Sleep. Sleep.

I am so beat! Seriously, I chase toddlers around for 8 hours a day and I honestly could go to bed at 8 every night...I'm starting to feel like my mama. I have really learned that you need to take care of yourself in order to do a good job...two hours of sleep really does affect your ability to safely care for kids.

3) It's okay to miss home.

Homesickness has never really been a problem for me. I can honestly never remember a time that I was extremely homesick. This summer has definitely changed things. My family has definitely undergone so extreme challenges in the health department which has really made me want to be home so much. I miss my family, my boyfriend, and my friends so much. I may not get to talk to my family every night, but I really try. I've learned not to take one of them for granted.

4) I'm still a kid at heart. And that is perfectly okay with me.

Self-explanatory I believe. I still like playing with side walk chalk and playing house. I still like making sandcastles by the lake and playing jump rope. So what?

5) The mountains are seriously amazing.

I think it's been established that I don't consider myself to be the "outdoorsy" type. I seriously think the mountains are beginning to change that. On my way to the gym today (that's right...ya girl joined a gym) I seriously got teary eyed thinking about the amazing place I get to work. I see the most amazing sights every day and I completely take them for granted. I feel so close to God here. I see him in everything from the eyes of the kids I get to work with to the lake side chapel to the green mountains I walk through every day. I've loved every minute of it and I can't believe it's half way over. YIKES!

I'll leave you with a quote that my dad said over the phone the other day. Our convo went a little something like this:

Me: "I don't think I'm a diva anymore. seriously!"

Dad: "Baby, being a Diva is all about attitude....you're a diva."

Cool Dad.

Friendly Faces

Here are some of the friendly faces that have been surrounding me these past few weeks, and, more importantly, the faces that have already taught me so much about myself and what it means to be a kid.