Ping-pong Toss
Go Fish
Ping-pong Toss
Splat
Photo Booth
Ping-pong Toss
Photo Booth
Dance Party
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Catch Up
The last few days have been very long, busy, and rewarding. Last night we had a carnival for the campers, which was a big success. There were carnival games like ring toss, go fish, and face paint, as well as other fun activities like a photo booth, ice cream bar and prize table. Throughout the night there was also a lot of dancing and we ended with the Cha-Cha slide, The Macarena, and The Chicken Dance. Here are some pictures from last night's activities:
Monday, June 17, 2013
Camp ReCreation
Today was another first day of camp.
Camp ReCreation is a camp of mostly adults with disabilities, although there is a camper as young as twelve. Disabilities range from sight, mobility, and mental development. They are a rowdy group with lots of character, I'm looking forward to watching them throughout the week.
Each camper is paired up with a counselor, who gives them full attention and help 24 hours a day. Today we got to meet the other counselors and get to know some of them before the campers arrived today.
It was a hectic day in the kitchen, and we had help from three different program areas helping at one time. Lots of people coming in and out, since we started later than we usually will. But in the end we got everything done on time and it was fine, but we were a little worried at first. This week I'll work a split shift, so I'll work 8-11 and then 3-close. Since I had a cooking shift last week, I'll be doing more dishes and random prep work rather than cooking the main courses. Today's been good, but long, and I'm looking forward to falling asleep tonight. So with that, goodnight!
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Let's Climb a Mountain
Yesterday was good. I know I keep saying that, and it is true every time, but yesterday was exceptionally good. It was the last day for our first group of campers, so it was sad to see them go. Luckily, while we were cleaning up the kitchen we ran outside to say goodbye one last time, just before they got onto the buses.
After that, we were done, and were on break for 24 hours. What does one do with a 24 hour break? Lots of things, possibly. But we wanted to make the most of our 24 hours this weekend. We headed into town first to eat and stop at Walmart. Then we made our way back to camp, and went on a hike. But this wasn't any ordinary hike, it was a hike up the Mountain next to camp. Yup, we hiked a mountain yesterday, Me and my friends Ali and Zac. Don't worry, we were thoroughly prepared. We had lots of water, food, and sunscreen as well as a radio that someone back at camp had on incase we needed help.
Now, if you're from the area and you saw pictures of the mountain we climbed, you probably wouldn't be too impressed, since it's not the largest mountain around, but it's still pretty big, and it took us over 5 and a half hours to climb up and down it. And a lot of the reason it took so long was because we didn't hike on a trail, but instead made our own. We literally just walked across the road and began climbing. There were a lot of bushes and large rocks that stood in our way, but we somehow managed to get round them (or crawl through or over them). We mad it to the top in about 2 1/2 hours, but it took 3 to get down, since it was getting dark and we wanted to be safe. And we made it, without any major complications. We look like we've been attacked by cats from all the scratches we got from the bushes, but no broken arms or legs (thankfully!)
But all that hiking was definitely worth it. We got to see California from a BEAUTIFUL view, that our pictures can't do justice. Here are some shots from the hike:
After that, we were done, and were on break for 24 hours. What does one do with a 24 hour break? Lots of things, possibly. But we wanted to make the most of our 24 hours this weekend. We headed into town first to eat and stop at Walmart. Then we made our way back to camp, and went on a hike. But this wasn't any ordinary hike, it was a hike up the Mountain next to camp. Yup, we hiked a mountain yesterday, Me and my friends Ali and Zac. Don't worry, we were thoroughly prepared. We had lots of water, food, and sunscreen as well as a radio that someone back at camp had on incase we needed help.
Now, if you're from the area and you saw pictures of the mountain we climbed, you probably wouldn't be too impressed, since it's not the largest mountain around, but it's still pretty big, and it took us over 5 and a half hours to climb up and down it. And a lot of the reason it took so long was because we didn't hike on a trail, but instead made our own. We literally just walked across the road and began climbing. There were a lot of bushes and large rocks that stood in our way, but we somehow managed to get round them (or crawl through or over them). We mad it to the top in about 2 1/2 hours, but it took 3 to get down, since it was getting dark and we wanted to be safe. And we made it, without any major complications. We look like we've been attacked by cats from all the scratches we got from the bushes, but no broken arms or legs (thankfully!)
But all that hiking was definitely worth it. We got to see California from a BEAUTIFUL view, that our pictures can't do justice. Here are some shots from the hike:
Friday, June 14, 2013
Starfish
Today was a ball of many different emotions, all good of course.
It was the last full day of camp for these kids and we've all grown to know and love each other. The kids really opened up these last two days and it's impacted us all more than they realize.
Tonight we had a talent show and campfire. At campfire we all got popsicle sticks and went around, said our favorite part of the week, and tossed the stick in to the fire. It was a great time to hear all the campers speak about how much they loved the week, what they learned, and how they all grew closer to each other. They refer to each other as one big family and they're glad they have each other. It was a very emotional night for a lot of them too, which is typical for the last night at camp.
It was also emotional because of two things that were done after campfire. First, "Oh, the places you'll go" was read to the campers. It's a Dr. Seuss book about the journey of life and it really spoke to a lot of the kids here. Then Stew (the camp leader) told a story about starfish that goes something like this:
"A young girl was walking along a beach upon which thousands of starfish had been washed up during a terrible storm. When she came to each starfish, she would pick it up, and throw it back into the ocean. People watched her with amusement.
It was the last full day of camp for these kids and we've all grown to know and love each other. The kids really opened up these last two days and it's impacted us all more than they realize.
Tonight we had a talent show and campfire. At campfire we all got popsicle sticks and went around, said our favorite part of the week, and tossed the stick in to the fire. It was a great time to hear all the campers speak about how much they loved the week, what they learned, and how they all grew closer to each other. They refer to each other as one big family and they're glad they have each other. It was a very emotional night for a lot of them too, which is typical for the last night at camp.
It was also emotional because of two things that were done after campfire. First, "Oh, the places you'll go" was read to the campers. It's a Dr. Seuss book about the journey of life and it really spoke to a lot of the kids here. Then Stew (the camp leader) told a story about starfish that goes something like this:
"A young girl was walking along a beach upon which thousands of starfish had been washed up during a terrible storm. When she came to each starfish, she would pick it up, and throw it back into the ocean. People watched her with amusement.
She had been doing this for some time when a man approached her and said, “Little girl, why are you doing this? Look at this beach! You can’t save all these starfish. You can’t begin to make a difference!”
The girl seemed crushed, suddenly deflated. But after a few moments, she bent down, picked up another starfish, and hurled it as far as she could into the ocean. Then she looked up at the man and replied,
“Well, I made a difference to that one!”"
It was another good reminder that everything we do really does make a difference, even if it seems little. We all got starfish beads, which are now tied onto all our name necklaces to remind ourselves of the difference we're making.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Big Day
Today was a very good day.
Since I work in the kitchen it's hard to feel like you're getting to really know the campers since you don't spend as much time with them, but today I realize I've made a bigger impact on them than I thought I originally had. There are a couple of girls I got to sit down and chat with for awhile, and it seems like I've known them for years, but it's only been a few days. I love that they can come up to be and chat like we're best friends. Plus, tonight was Casino night at Camp Ronald, so we spent the night playing cards and dice and it was another good change to get to sit down and chat with the kids.
Today was also fun in the kitchen, since the week has progressed, our work load has slowed down since we aren't preparing for the week, but it'll pick up soon when we really get ready for next week. I got to sit down and learn how to put in a food order online through Sysco today, so now I know how to order more food if I need to.
And once again, I had a great time at our staff meeting tonight. We have one every night and we're often all really tired, but when we sit down and talk about our day we always laugh a lot and I'm reminded again why I love camp and how I can't take this for granted. I'm thankful for my team this summer, a LOT. We like to laugh a lot, and everyone's really funny, so that makes my job more enjoyable.
Today was also just another reminder of why camp is so important to campers. There's a lot of campers here this week dealing with a lot back home and for them to come to camp means the world to them. They get a lot out of these weeks here and I've been so blessed to get to work with these campers this week, they really are near and dear to my heart and I'll definitely miss them, but I'm glad to see who else will be coming in the weeks ahead.
Since I work in the kitchen it's hard to feel like you're getting to really know the campers since you don't spend as much time with them, but today I realize I've made a bigger impact on them than I thought I originally had. There are a couple of girls I got to sit down and chat with for awhile, and it seems like I've known them for years, but it's only been a few days. I love that they can come up to be and chat like we're best friends. Plus, tonight was Casino night at Camp Ronald, so we spent the night playing cards and dice and it was another good change to get to sit down and chat with the kids.
Today was also fun in the kitchen, since the week has progressed, our work load has slowed down since we aren't preparing for the week, but it'll pick up soon when we really get ready for next week. I got to sit down and learn how to put in a food order online through Sysco today, so now I know how to order more food if I need to.
And once again, I had a great time at our staff meeting tonight. We have one every night and we're often all really tired, but when we sit down and talk about our day we always laugh a lot and I'm reminded again why I love camp and how I can't take this for granted. I'm thankful for my team this summer, a LOT. We like to laugh a lot, and everyone's really funny, so that makes my job more enjoyable.
Today was also just another reminder of why camp is so important to campers. There's a lot of campers here this week dealing with a lot back home and for them to come to camp means the world to them. They get a lot out of these weeks here and I've been so blessed to get to work with these campers this week, they really are near and dear to my heart and I'll definitely miss them, but I'm glad to see who else will be coming in the weeks ahead.
June 12th 2013
I kept debating on whether or not to post anything about yesterday. It felt like just another day, but then I remember how significant each day is to the campers here. So what may feel like just another day at camp to me, really still means the world to these children. It's something I have to keep remembering.
As far as what I did, it really as a lot of what I"ve done before. I helped with lunch and cooked dinner: Asian stir fry, rice, and egg rolls. The hardest part of yesterday was trying to work on our food order for next week. It's hardest for me because I don't know exactly how much we need and how many come in each box, so I had to keep asking questions, but we're getting through it. Thankfully yesterday was a slower day inthe kitchen, so we weren't as rushed as Tuesday night, which was pretty hectic.
We ended the night with a campfire and night hike, where the kids were lead out on our hiking path where they were involved in a fairy tale adventure of the Great Captain Jack who was on an adventure in search for Princess Pat. They enjoyed everyone being dressed up and in character.
At our staff meeting we got to hear more funny stories of how the campers loved the hike, and I was reminded why I love my job so much. The kids really take to heart everything we do, and brining joy to them is what makes my job so special (:
As far as what I did, it really as a lot of what I"ve done before. I helped with lunch and cooked dinner: Asian stir fry, rice, and egg rolls. The hardest part of yesterday was trying to work on our food order for next week. It's hardest for me because I don't know exactly how much we need and how many come in each box, so I had to keep asking questions, but we're getting through it. Thankfully yesterday was a slower day inthe kitchen, so we weren't as rushed as Tuesday night, which was pretty hectic.
We ended the night with a campfire and night hike, where the kids were lead out on our hiking path where they were involved in a fairy tale adventure of the Great Captain Jack who was on an adventure in search for Princess Pat. They enjoyed everyone being dressed up and in character.
At our staff meeting we got to hear more funny stories of how the campers loved the hike, and I was reminded why I love my job so much. The kids really take to heart everything we do, and brining joy to them is what makes my job so special (:
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
Tuesday
This will just be a quick update, but an update nonetheless:
Today was good, I guess I don't have a lot to say about it. We have internet again, and all things seem to be up and running.
OH! Yesterday I forgot to mention, It has hailed for the last two days in a row. And I guess that's not very common, either. It's just so weird to see balls of ice coming out of the sky in the middle of June, but I guess that's the weather for ya. Their first time they were small, but the second time they were probably about the size of a dime to a nickel, so still small, but not really.
Everything else seems to be going well too. I'm getting used to working all afternoon to make dinner by (basically) myself and it's been a good time to learn more about quantity foods.
My high light of today was getting to pet our camp dogs with one of the little girls here. Normally this wouldn't be a big deal, but it is in this case because the first day of camp this was the girl that was TERRIFIED of the dogs and didn't want anything to do with them. But tonight she really opened up and sat down and petted the dogs for awhile with me and the director. Pretty neat to see.
Today was good, I guess I don't have a lot to say about it. We have internet again, and all things seem to be up and running.
OH! Yesterday I forgot to mention, It has hailed for the last two days in a row. And I guess that's not very common, either. It's just so weird to see balls of ice coming out of the sky in the middle of June, but I guess that's the weather for ya. Their first time they were small, but the second time they were probably about the size of a dime to a nickel, so still small, but not really.
Everything else seems to be going well too. I'm getting used to working all afternoon to make dinner by (basically) myself and it's been a good time to learn more about quantity foods.
My high light of today was getting to pet our camp dogs with one of the little girls here. Normally this wouldn't be a big deal, but it is in this case because the first day of camp this was the girl that was TERRIFIED of the dogs and didn't want anything to do with them. But tonight she really opened up and sat down and petted the dogs for awhile with me and the director. Pretty neat to see.
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