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andave's place

Well, I'm back

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by
andave_ya
, 08-06-2007 at 04:13 PM (1550 Views)
Hello all! I've missed you tremendously, and have spent rather a long time catching up on the news.

Lots of stuff to say. First, Camp Taylor. Being a junior assistant instead of a camper this year, I got a different perspective of what goes on behind the scenes. It didn't go quite as well as I had hoped, but I still want to volunteer again next year. I think I'm not quite cut out for this kind of work, but still, in time it'll straighten out. Biggest objection I had absolutely no time to be alone, by myself. That threw me off because I need time alone to fall back and regroup. Also, most of the assistants work is done after lights out at 10 p.m., at which time I become a pumpkin and don't function at my best. I can still work if I'm tired, but if I'm tired and I want time alone really badly I'm a mess. Objection number 2: The Camp Director is an extreme thinker and hard to get along with. You have to earn her respect. I was ready, willing, and wanting to be put to work but she saw me only as a working machine, not a working human. But she's one of the reasons I want to go back; I want to go back and earn her respect and get to know her. I admire her. She's a nice lady to those who she's comfortable with, and I'd love it if she'd be comfortable with me. I've a lot of respect for her because her whole life has become this camp. Not only her, but the kids who come to the camp are so brave and strong and inspiring by surviving their heart conditions. They are reason enough to volunteer every year for the rest of my life. And, it's been a very good experience for me and has widened my horizons tremendously. I'm honored to have been a part of the camp.

I don't feel like writing more right now. Stay tuned for part two, and take care of yourselves, my friends!
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Comments

  1. Virgil's Avatar
    Nice to have you back Andave. Glad that was a good experience.
  2. applepie's Avatar
    It is good to hear that you had an enriching experience, if not a completely good one. Giving your time to a camp can be a hard thing. I spent several years doing so with Girlscouts and the one year I was an actual leader was very stressful. I left camp only to spend much of the night planning what it was that I needed to do the next day before I went to work that night. Word to the wise, never work third shift and volunteer at a camp. Hopefully next year will be a better year.:)
  3. mtpspur's Avatar
    Sounds like you're coming along nicely in the camper-worker growth. I assure you next year will be even better. You're mature to begin with and with God's direction he'll teach you so much. The retired President of Cedarville College (now University) was very proactive with the students but like your director had no personal rapport with the staff which i found repellant for a Christian college professor. But God uses all types I keep reminding myself and I have a huge chip on my spiritual shoulder hindering my personal growth.
  4. kiz_paws's Avatar
    Welcome back, Andya, we missed you! I think that I, too, would find no 'alone time' a little stressful, but I suppose one can find ways to deal with it. Put it this way, at least you know how it all goes now, and you can mentally prepare yourself for your next time, you know? By the way, I think that you are the greatest, to be up there volunteering like that. Bravo, Andya!
  5. andave_ya's Avatar
    kiz, that's the exact thing that I was thinking. Now that I know what to expect, I can prepare myself for it next year and, Lord willing, all will be well. And, I thought volunteering brought me up in the world a bit until the week ended and I realized I had a long way to go before I reached the level of strength and courage and intelligence that the heart campers had. Put, very properly and rightly, into my place! .
    mtpspur, that is the truth and no mistake! . She really is a neat person, just takes a bit of time getting used to.
    mhockenberry and Virgil, thank you very much for your kind words. It is great to be back!