Summer is now considered over in my mind...program groups and conferences the past couple of weeks, along with several meetings, has helped to extradite the FUN summer camp season. This weekend, I'll have several camp staff in as we host Operation Military Kid Family Camp...better knows as our own Operation: 4-Heroes!!!! We have a bunch of families coming over to canoe, swim, hike, and a host of other activities.
Earl is also en route to the Outer Banks...let's hope it stays enough offshore to prevent evacuations, and most importantly, property and personal damage. In the event Earl decides to tango with the Eastern 4-H Center - we have a full action plan that we will put into motion. Basically anything that can take flight will be secured.
This past weekend, we hosted the Girl Scouts of the Colonial Coast and the Edenton Baptist Church Youth retreat...Rock climbing satiated their energy reserves, and helped to build a spirit of camaraderie.
Nevertheless, it's time to start tying down items - just in case!
Enjoy the day...
August 31, 2010
August 20, 2010
A Break?
So over the past few days, virtually everyone I know has asked me if I was ready for my "break"...the "break" being the time between the end of camp and the pre-camp planning which usually begins in mid-September. My retort is "What break?!"
Sure, I will take some time off when possible, but to be honest, I get a little bored when I have nothing to do. And there is no "break." This weekend (starting at noon Friday), We have 4 different groups using the facility! It is great to be busy...the Northeast Regional Directors are meeting and eating today, along with two overnight groups - the Laymen's League, and The North Carolina Association of Student Councils...following on their heels are the ECU Williams Leadership retreat...we are doing programming for NCASC and Williams...it'll be tons of fun.
The weekend is supposed to have nice weather. Granted, weather has been pretty good for camp activities all summer, we can use the rain, if it is not too late. Most of the corn has shriveled up and beans are still short, like me.
Next week, I'll be in and out of the office tending to a variety of matters...I'll also take some time off, too!
My sister was just up for a visit with my lady friend, who moved from Pittsboro to Edenton over the summer. We hosted my sister and took her all over the region. I even took her out in the D.S. Yella Dog (Duck Ship Yella Dog). We rode throughout the Northwest fork and the lower reaches of the Alligator - in hopes of seeing an alligator. Only one possible sighting occured in the form of a slim wake...when gators plunge from the shoreline muck, they immediately dive and leave a wake much like a ski boat...followed by ominous bubbles. We also spotted several eagles, a few resident wood ducks and black ducks, along with a nutria. I enjoyed describing the pocosin environment to her...she really enjoyed the stark beauty of such a remote and wild place - a place theat Tyrrell County should be proud of...
Nevertheless, it's time to get back to work!
Enjoy the day...
Sure, I will take some time off when possible, but to be honest, I get a little bored when I have nothing to do. And there is no "break." This weekend (starting at noon Friday), We have 4 different groups using the facility! It is great to be busy...the Northeast Regional Directors are meeting and eating today, along with two overnight groups - the Laymen's League, and The North Carolina Association of Student Councils...following on their heels are the ECU Williams Leadership retreat...we are doing programming for NCASC and Williams...it'll be tons of fun.
The weekend is supposed to have nice weather. Granted, weather has been pretty good for camp activities all summer, we can use the rain, if it is not too late. Most of the corn has shriveled up and beans are still short, like me.
Next week, I'll be in and out of the office tending to a variety of matters...I'll also take some time off, too!
My sister was just up for a visit with my lady friend, who moved from Pittsboro to Edenton over the summer. We hosted my sister and took her all over the region. I even took her out in the D.S. Yella Dog (Duck Ship Yella Dog). We rode throughout the Northwest fork and the lower reaches of the Alligator - in hopes of seeing an alligator. Only one possible sighting occured in the form of a slim wake...when gators plunge from the shoreline muck, they immediately dive and leave a wake much like a ski boat...followed by ominous bubbles. We also spotted several eagles, a few resident wood ducks and black ducks, along with a nutria. I enjoyed describing the pocosin environment to her...she really enjoyed the stark beauty of such a remote and wild place - a place theat Tyrrell County should be proud of...
Nevertheless, it's time to get back to work!
Enjoy the day...
August 19, 2010
Summer Camp Highlights
The summer camp season has officially come to an end...Between the start and finish there were hundreds of special moments for campers, staff, and volunteers. Generally, I lean more towards the funny moments as some of my favorites...kid's say the darndest things, right?
The smallest staff I have ever trained strafed right through one of the most dramatic and diverse programs in the summer. I am so proud of the job they did. And while no summer staff is ever perfect, this one came close on most occasions. One of the most difficult jobs I have is to manage 25 different personalities. It is IMPOSSIBLE to manage every one the same way...though that's how many would say it has to be done. When working conditions call for 100 degree heat, rambunctious children, and a healthy, tasty - but redundant - menu, people will become hyper-stressed...all while trying to figure out what the heck they will be doing in school in the coming months. I enjoy the challenge. I like to watch people dig deep. Even better, it's nice to know that they are doing it for me (or the paycheck that I provide to them)...
Nevertheless, the two funniest things I heard a child say this year were:
(1)
"Lemme shoot that boom-a-lang!" This was in reference to our International Night program...our Aussie counselor showcased a boomerang...her New Zealand counterpart was a whiz at tossing it...the results were impressive, obviously motivating a 9 year old American to do the same, and immediately. Obviously because of the dangers, the "boom-a-lang was not tossed by a child, but they were allowed to hold it and examine it...
(2)
"The bottom of the Pool smells like my cat..." Not sure if the kid was being truthful or not. Can you smell the bottom of the pool without taking in a nare full of water? Probably not...though all of the staff, including myself, went to the bottom for a sniff. Also - It would have helped us, though, if we knew what the feline smelled like. The cat might have smelled like nothing. Nevertheless, the campers announcement was made in public...I saw 8 year old children contemplate the blurt...all left scratching their heads...
Also - campers would wear funny shirts, staff had crazy nicknames, and some staff became vegetarians on certain days...There are many joys of operating a summer program, but the Grand Poobah is seeing children have fun and enjoy the freedom of being a kid...
Enjoy the day...
The smallest staff I have ever trained strafed right through one of the most dramatic and diverse programs in the summer. I am so proud of the job they did. And while no summer staff is ever perfect, this one came close on most occasions. One of the most difficult jobs I have is to manage 25 different personalities. It is IMPOSSIBLE to manage every one the same way...though that's how many would say it has to be done. When working conditions call for 100 degree heat, rambunctious children, and a healthy, tasty - but redundant - menu, people will become hyper-stressed...all while trying to figure out what the heck they will be doing in school in the coming months. I enjoy the challenge. I like to watch people dig deep. Even better, it's nice to know that they are doing it for me (or the paycheck that I provide to them)...
Nevertheless, the two funniest things I heard a child say this year were:
(1)
"Lemme shoot that boom-a-lang!" This was in reference to our International Night program...our Aussie counselor showcased a boomerang...her New Zealand counterpart was a whiz at tossing it...the results were impressive, obviously motivating a 9 year old American to do the same, and immediately. Obviously because of the dangers, the "boom-a-lang was not tossed by a child, but they were allowed to hold it and examine it...
(2)
"The bottom of the Pool smells like my cat..." Not sure if the kid was being truthful or not. Can you smell the bottom of the pool without taking in a nare full of water? Probably not...though all of the staff, including myself, went to the bottom for a sniff. Also - It would have helped us, though, if we knew what the feline smelled like. The cat might have smelled like nothing. Nevertheless, the campers announcement was made in public...I saw 8 year old children contemplate the blurt...all left scratching their heads...
Also - campers would wear funny shirts, staff had crazy nicknames, and some staff became vegetarians on certain days...There are many joys of operating a summer program, but the Grand Poobah is seeing children have fun and enjoy the freedom of being a kid...
Enjoy the day...
August 6, 2010
August 3, 2010
Takeoff 4-Health Week 2
Sorry I haven't put any updates in a while, but I'll catch up soon!
We are smack down in the middle of Takeoff 4-Health - a great summer camp program and partnership between Brody School of Medicine and North Carolina 4-H! We have some of the brightest minds in the world concerning childhood obesity hanging out in our office tackling one of the most important health challenges of the generation!
I'll try and post some pictures soon! Nevertheless, with our reduced staff, Lee and I have spent considerable time in the kitchen, too. Lee made an incredible (and healthy) black bean salsa that the staff and campers are still raving about. Activities include kayaking, rock climbing, Zumba dancing, yoga, swimming, water aerobics and a bunch more!
Enjoy the day...
We are smack down in the middle of Takeoff 4-Health - a great summer camp program and partnership between Brody School of Medicine and North Carolina 4-H! We have some of the brightest minds in the world concerning childhood obesity hanging out in our office tackling one of the most important health challenges of the generation!
I'll try and post some pictures soon! Nevertheless, with our reduced staff, Lee and I have spent considerable time in the kitchen, too. Lee made an incredible (and healthy) black bean salsa that the staff and campers are still raving about. Activities include kayaking, rock climbing, Zumba dancing, yoga, swimming, water aerobics and a bunch more!
Enjoy the day...
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