The One with Camp Counseling Memories

Watching all of the youth programming staff do their training and bonding this week,

my mind got all reminiscent on me. 

I was instantly transported back in time. 

Five years. 

My first summer after my first year of college. 

I never in a million years would have imagined spending even more time away from home. 

At the beginning of the school year, 

I knew i just had to make it 9 months and then I'd be home. 

But then I got comfortable. 

And I started dating this boy. 

And he told me about this camp where he'd worked before. 

He thought I'd be a great counselor. 

I was totally freaked out by the prospect.

But before I knew it, 

I was applying, 

and interviewing. 

And for 10 weeks I worked with unforgettable staff. 

Friends I still keep in touch with. 

People I wish lived next door. 

And we made a great team as we spend 5 days and 4 nights each week with kids.

K-12th graders (depending on the camp.)

Those kids were our life. 

It was the most challenging, 

most incredible, 

most memorable experience. 

I wouldn't trade it for anything.

::our amazing counseling staff::

11 people in this photo are now married.

We've grown up a bit. :)

::three of us girls hanging with staff kids--Brian and Caleb::

They are now 16 and 17.

And one of them is my brother in law. (Brian on the left)

::camp is crazy::

this is what happens when you let seven 13 year old girls have 

free range of your hair with a full can of hairspray.

::Sara and myself::

I heart her. And I love getting to hang out with her again this summer.

And check out my short hair.

NEVER doing that again.

::CRUD WAR!

water. flour. shaving cream. birdseed.

::group building training::

::with some of my girls on an evening hayride::

Thanks, Somerset, for teaching me so much

about who I am,

what I am capable of,

how to learn from others, 

how to train and love and lead kids and teens. 

Without this experience I wouldn't have had near the confidence to step into a youth pastor role. 

It's incredible how one summer can affect so many lives.