Civitan Camp 2012

I was so excited to be back at camp after missing last year.  W was only 10 weeks old so it would have been hard to be at camp and really 'be at camp' with an infant.  We visited, but at times, that was even harder than just missing the entire week.  After driving 15 hours with the kids by myself, it was all worth it, to be back at camp.  I was in charge of the games at the pool for youth week.  I primarily worked with J. Forrester, and T. Ward.  Our life-guards rotated and Heather/Neal came to the pool in the morning, while April/Yancy worked the pool after rest time.  The kids came down to visit twice and R & A had a blast.  R was great about going with some older staff brat girls, and A wanted to just hang with B.  We looked forward to the kids coming and spending the week with us at camp, but right now, they are too young.  Plus, the week(s) that we are at camp, it's great grandparent time with R A & W. 

Some highlights from camp...

1. Staying at Native Village.  The counselors we had this year at NV were awesome.  I tried very hard to get to know them and encourage them throughout the week.  One of the guys that impressed me the most was Colt's counselor Logan.  He did an amazing job with Colt and I was so glad to witness that each day.  John Lloyd was NV's group leader and he did a great job as well.  I mean, honestly, all the guys did a fantastic job and it paid off because for the first time, Native Village won the Abbie Award.  I also had a good time getting to know Rob better this year.  B usually works boating with Rob, but I haven't really spent a lot of time talking with him.  Rob has a huge heart for Civitan Camp and his contributions are amazing!

Christian lost his tooth and got a visit from the Tooth Fairy!

Matthew and Drew

Logan and Colt

Luke and Matthew sitting with Spencer

Our group picture before the fish fry!

Native Village after winning the Abbie Award!

aka Naked Village

 

Hoy and Robert at the pool

Sweet Dylon

2.  The slip-n-slide and the pool.  I had to run/facilitate games at the pool, which I love.  But in addition, we had a really big water slide.  It was a inflatable slide that had a baby pool at the bottom.  The kids loved it and I have to admit, I enjoyed it a time or two myself.  I went down with Heather a few times, and again with Clayton:)

Christian playing basketball

Ian loving on his counselor Hunter

Christopher reading poolside

sweet little Korbin

Jonathan and I had a blast swimming together

Handsome Bryce

Heather and Jordan

Jonathan DeLoch taking a moment for a picture

The Lauren's from the Lodge

Jonathan Glaze loving the baby pool

Bryce with Maggie...I think she liked him:)

Flove!

The life-guard crew

Clayton and I on the slide!

Newcomer Rope with me relaxing

3. Seeing Clayton and Lynda Grace.  I love these 2 kids...well I guess I shouldn't say kids.  Clayton is 22 and is about ready to move up to adult week.  Of course he's a charmer and all the girls love to dance with him.  But whenever he came to the pool, he was right by my side.  Either at the slide, in the pool, or in a chair.  He's so sweet!  Lynda Grace had a weird first few days, not wanting to swim.  But by Tuesday, she was back to normal and came swimming with me.  We even danced on Wednesday when it rained and we had to get out of the pool:(  Lynda was sitting on the ground and I reached my hand out to help her up.  She got up (unexpectedly) and danced with me to Baby Baby Baby by J.Beiber.  After being an area parent 2 years ago, Lynda Grace has quickly become a favorite.

4. Playing Mafia.  Every night, the counselors and staff at Native Village would play mafia.  I introduced the game to them Monday night since the counselors had no free-time.  We played 2 games and then it was approaching midnight so I went to bed.  We played every other night after counselor free-time was over.  I usually was the narrator, but others stepped up to the plate so I could play too.  The very first game I played, I was killed off in the first round...so sad!!!  Again, the guys at NV were a lot of fun.

5. Passing out candy with Mr. Dan.  All my camp memories at the pool include Mr. Dan.  When I first was on staff, he was still the head life-guard and was in charge.  Things are different now, but I still love being around him.  Mr. Dan passed out candy each night to staff and I made a candy run with him one night.  It was a lot of fun visiting the other areas that I don't get to, and seeing all the other decorations.

6.  Building relationships.  I love camp for the obvious reasons of the campers, but I also love the relationships with counselors and staff that I build.  Heather, Neely, and Terri are always great to be around and I look forward to staying in the science cabin with them next year:)  Jamie is great and always keeps me smiling.  He said he would make red life-guard shirts for us next year with our names on it.  How cool is that?  I look forward every year to my catch up time with Neal Boone and all his endeavors.  I started really good conversations with Ms. Kay about marriage, kids, and teaching.  There was a Jesuit boy named Seth that I had great time with and he said he would for sure come back next year.  Not very many of the Jesuit boys repeat, but I would love to see him come back!  I got to know a few staff better that I hadn't really every talked to at all:  Max, Daniel, Yancy, Rob (weird they are all boys).  I hope to continue building these camp friendships and strengthening the ones already established.

I had a great week and wish I could've worked adult week as well.  B and I both agree that we are in a transition state right now, and will both be back for 2 weeks soon.  Our kids will come with us one week and stay with grandparents the other week.  We did go visit adult week before driving back to NC.  I got to see Kevin Dudek and he looked great!  He loved W and it was so sweet to see Kevin interact with such a small child.

Riding horses while visiting adult week

A was nervous at first but loved it!

B, W, and Antoine

Getting spoiled by Sarah

Thor "the King"

A making himself at home at Native Village

My favortie-Kevin

So sweet!

Kevin loved Wesley

Still rocking the headband while driving back to NC