More Camp

So, things are flying by at Camp Krem for me.... I only have time for random updates... Forgive the inside jokes...

This session has been tougher than the first for me, but it's good. Lots of challenges and opportunity for personal growth.

I now have adopted the bandana as my accessory of choice. It's what the cool kids are doing I guess, and it keeps the hair out of my face.

Changing daipers on adults is way different than changing daipers on babies.

In Ireland, "crack" means "fun." Like when Sheena told me, "At the ski slopes in Europe, they have the best crack."

Sometimes Scherberts have sharp teeth.

I miss a certain stuttering camper.... "GOOOD M-m-morning P-p-patty!"

I am still in pretty much the same place in my book as I was a month ago. (Ciudad de la Bestia)

Thinking about getting a tattoo. Yeah, sorry family.

Looking forward to my day off Tuesday. And turnover starts Thursday.

Still planning on moving to Portland after Camp Krem.

I'll be spending the 4th of July in San Francisco.

Camp Krem

Our campers arrived on Sunday and everyone is starting to get into the swing of things. I have included an outline of our general schedule below.

It's really a lot of work. I knew this would be a challenge, and it's been just about as difficult as I thought it would be. I'm going to grow a lot this summer.

Every camper is so unique, and has very particular needs. For some, something as simple as explaining what they want to eat can be a challenge. Others need constant supervision so that they don't run off or hurt themselves. Our ratio of counselors to campers is about 1:2.

In my particular cabin, I work with three other counselors. I'm technically the "Team Leader," but that basically means I have a little more responsibility when it comes to paperwork. My team members are real self motivators and are awesome to work with. Half the time when I go to do something, I find that they have already taken care of it. I pretty much think I have the best team in the camp.

Our campers have an average age of about 49. There are six of them, and mostly independent in regards to daily routines like bathing and brushing teeth. Even so, they must be supervised at all times and need help much in the same way a young child would. They are pretty good about going to bed, but get up really early which has left us a bit tired.

Things are going well. I'm experiencing the challenge that I wanted to experience, but it's fun and interesting as well. The campers are endearing...

7:00ish --> Wake up. Get ready.

7:30 - 8:15 --> Meds. Get ready.

8:30 --> Breakfast.

After breakfast - 10:00 --> Clean up cabins and camp.

10:00 - 12:30 --> Various programmed activities (sports, arts and crafts, etc.)

12:30 --> Lunch

After lunch - 3:00pm --> Rest time.

3:00 - 5:00 --> Pool / Other activities

5:00 - 6:00 --> Free time with campers. Get ready for dinner.

6:00 --> Dinner

7:30 --> Nightly events (Ho-Down, Game Show, etc.)

9:00 - 9:30 --> Camper Bed Time

12:00 --> Counselor Bed Time

Campers Arrive Today

For those who don't know, I'm working at a camp for kids (and adults) with special needs this summer. The camp is called, "Camp Krem."

This week was training, and I really had a great time. We have about 70 counselors, and I have had the majority to spend time getting to know the majority of them over the course of the week. Fifteen of the counselors came over from Ireland for the summer.

Training consisted of everything from team building activities to sign language and learning how to lift someone from a wheel chair. On Friday night, most of us went camping for a night in Big Basin.

Our first campers arrive today. I'm actually heading to Sacramento in a few minutes to pick up some campers this morning. Our first session goes until next Thursday, and we will have the oldest campers of the summer. I think most of mine are older than thirty.

Well, that's all for now.

Oh, and I have another video. This is from a team building activity that we did, in which each group had to build a boat to carry one of their members across the pool. All we had was cardboard, pvc pipe, a tarp, and duct tape.

Grand Canyon

So, I went to the Grand Canyon. Check it out:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaRvI5SWZHM