Counselor in Training

Last night we had our closing camp fire. Cabins handed out awards to campers as we danced and sang songs together one last time. Today counselors pack up all the bags into a somewhat organized collection to await pick up. As the campers leave we want it to be known that at Camp Krem, our staff works extremely hard to provide a unique life changing camping experience. The work of the staff is much like a human body. We all play different parts but still work as one with one mission. As counselors and staff we are the arms and legs that help camp move in a direction of fun and fulfilling experiences. Part of that body that should not be overlooked is the Counselor in Training, or CIT. A CIT is a high school aged student from surrounding high schools that volunteer one session to assist counselors in providing care for the campers. A CIT is always next to a counselor when all the ups and downs of camp happen. Most of the CITs come from Carondelet High School. Others come from Bishop and De La Salle. Most of these high schools require a certain amount of service hours over the course of the year and provide a list of summer opportunities for their students. On paper Camp Krem is just another name amongst the hundreds of other opportunities that exists for these high school students. Enough students have passed through Camp Krem over the last fifteen years to build a reputation that has spread through the halls of these schools. Often times CITs will come based on recommendations from previous years CITs not fully knowing what they are getting themselves into.

Here is a story written by Ally White, a first year CIT:

I love watching the campers relationships with counselors and other campers grow. On the first day of camp I noticed some campers isolating themselves; acting very shy around new faces. As camp went on they slowly became more comfortable with each other: campers would play games together, help each other on hikes, and talk as if they knew each other for years. Campers truly looked up to their older counselors. They would follow their counselors around like a little brother copies his older brother. These campers make friendships that they will never forget. Another amazing thing about camp is watching the campers participate in activities that they love. One of my campers never really seemed to be enjoying himself and always wanted to be doing another activity, but the second he stepped foot in the pool I saw a smile on his face that I had never seen before. His smile was beaming and he was lost in his own laughter. He absolutely loved swimming and seeing him so happy was an amazing sight. It showed me the importance of finding something I loved to do, letting go and just simply enjoying the good things in life.

A Counselor, Not a Floater

As I stood there staring at the cabin assignment list I finally realized that the very job I created was going to take me away from the job I loved most. On the list I was assigned as a “floater.” In other terms I was a guy that had another job to do and was only used on an as need basis. There have been floaters every summer. It is not a new concept at camp. Still, often times as I stare into the night I wonder if people in the past that have been floaters love being with campers as much as I do. As I drift off to sleep I try to remove the pride from the situation and tell myself that most people here love being with campers, regardless of their jobs.

As our Olympic theme for this session continued yesterday, campers had the opportunity to compete as countries (or cabins) in various games throughout the day. There were swimming relays, golf, hiking, fishing, and some other chances to earn “medals.” Last night’s evening activity featured a camp wide basketball tournament loaded with music, cheerleaders, snacks, and fierce competition. It was much discussed during the course of the day and the anticipation built as dinner approached. When the bell finally rang to start the tournament every person moved down to the basketball courts or to watch from the mess hall balcony. All attended except one camper.

I cannot describe the connections or breakthroughs that happen when a counselor has the opportunity to spend time with a camper that results in a friendship. It is something incredible that everyone should have the opportunity to experience. Last night when that one camper chose not to attend the basketball tournament I had the option to pass my camera and intentions to write a story about the tournament to another staff member. Instead I joined the camper in the mess hall and in front of our nurse’s quarters. He stood nearly a foot taller than me. He definitely weighed more than me, but we spent more than two hours wrestling each other to the ground until one of us was laughing so hard we had to take a break. At the end of the night in the med’s line I signed for a hug and got it. We both had a smile on our faces for the entire night and though the camper could not verbally tell me, I wanted nothing more than to believe that he had the best night of his camping experience. That is, until tonight.

For me, it has always been about camper interaction and providing a camping experience they will never forget. I created this position because I saw a need at Camp Krem. Even though my title will remain Director of Special Projects I will be a counselor at heart, forever.

Six Day Sessions

At Camp Krem there are different lengths of sessions. Some are ten days others are twelve. The programs and price per camper vary based on the length of the session. This session campers get to experience something relatively new to camp: a six day session. There are many great ideas behind a shorter six day session. One idea is that it allows camp to be more affordable for all people. Last summer California’s State Government cut funding to regional centers providing recreational outlets for those with disabilities. A six day session was a response to this in hopes that caregivers would not feel they had to cut recreational activities and trips for those with special needs.

Another idea behind the six day session, and a favorite around camp, is the speed and energy the six days bring. Campers get to experience all of camp packed into one incredibly fast week. By the time you realize the opening camp fire is done you are already moving on to dances, talent shows and more. As a staff member you find yourself moving campers from a hike to the playground back to arts and crafts then off to kickball or to a basketball game all before the sun sets and it is time to head to bed. I can only imagine that as a camper the memories are blurred beyond recognition. I can also imagine that the emotions that go along with those memories stay forever.

We have all experienced times in our lives where everything seems to move just a little bit too fast. In those moments, everything in our body wants to reach out and slow time down. We do not have the opportunity to be homesick or worry about what it is we have to do the rest of the summer. There are no worries about past or present. All there are is us and the six days at hand.

Hello vs. Goodbye

At camp, some things are very cyclical. In terms of campers there are always two things that are certain: You will always say hello and you will always say goodbye. The end of session one brought the reality to all staff that campers have to leave. Just a couple days later a new session starts as new campers arrive to camp. At the start of each session there is an energy that surrounds camp that is almost indescribable. The staff waits with anticipation as each member of their cabin drives up that long hill. When the camper arrives two things happen: The campers say good bye to their parents or caregivers and then the campers say hello to their new counselors. Sometimes the attachments are more apparent than others. Occasionally a staff member is lucky enough to catch that one meaningful goodbye. Sometimes it is a hug that lasts just a couple seconds longer than usual. Other times you might see a tear or two. In these moments the staff member realizes that the caregiver wants nothing but the best for the camper. When the camper turns to say hello to the new staff it is the staff that realize why they came to camp in the first place. In these moments we understand why camp exists. For the staff session two started today. For the campers, this may be their only session to have the time of their lives.