SUMMER CAMP!!!!!

CAMP MANITOU, MAINE

Did you go to summer camp as a child? Did you ever work as a counselor or an instructor for camp? I had opportunities as a child to go to both Church camps and 4-H camps. Those were some of the best weeks of my life!!!! The games, music, activities, and the comradery, oh, the comradery! It was the best. A shout out to my friend Cecil...of Beanie & Cecil - camp paper editors :) I never wanted to leave the magic of camp!

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE at summer camp!

This summer, I am working an all boys' camp in New England as a nurse. The counselors and directors come from all over the world to work this 8 week camp. The adults who run the camp LIVE to come back in the summer, it is just that magical.... they have the MOST fun! It is the best of both worlds - child and adult - only YOU as an adult, are in charge and know all of the tricks! What a performance!

 The counselors and staff are from ALL OVER THE WORLD!  Nigeria, Argentina, Poland, Hungary, Germany, Mexico, Scotland, UK, Ireland, Bulgaria and on and on. Each individual brings his/her own traditions and stories to contribute to these campers.  The camp is blessed with talent galore - communication, aquatics, adventure, archery, rope challenges, music & theater production, agriculture, sports, the list goes on and on. Theater and arts are taught and plays are hosted weekly. Everyone contributes to the production - campers and staff alike.

Comradery is the word of the day.  Prior to the campers arriving on campus, we were challenged to learn names of close to 200 staff members including those who prepared our meals as well as our coworkers. My friend Ami, won hands down!

The food is wonderful!  There are delicacies every day provided at various food bars. Seriously, this camp gives Bowdoin College a run for their money (Bowdoin is quite renowned for its dining halls and campus). Kudos to our marvelous chefs!

DINING HALL

My breakfast: Eggs, beans, granola, pumpkin seeds, watermelon, blueberries and strawberries. Many choices!

Waterfront Cabins

Lessons I have learned: Comradery. Teamwork, the power of a smile, communication with eye contact, body language and great ears, the magic of a hop, skip and a jump, kindness,

inclusiveness, humbleness, encouragement, tolerance, etc., etc., etc. The impact we can make as we TEACH BY EXAMPLE.

THE PATH LESS FOLLOWED:

I love that the campers and the staff are experiencing such magic and will carry forward the leadership skills that are represented at this camp. All of us are given the opportunity to encourage and be encouraged to become leaders as we unite to serve our communities.

MANY THANKS to CAMP MANITOU, OAKLAND, MAINE.