Written by Well, my first year as a director for a week of camp at NWOCYC was a success. We had 36 campers, which is a low number, but normal for a first-time director. And I was thankful for the low number — it made my first year that much easier.
We had a great group of campers. My week was an all-ages week, so we had kids from 8 all the way to 16. For the most part, they did what was asked of them, and didn’t give us any big problems. Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday were terribly hot. The heat index was in the 100′s all three days (those of you in the south probably think that’s no big deal, but it is here in north-central Ohio). So we did a lot of stuff in the pool. One of the best things we did was to play rugby in the pool with a greased watermelon. The kids (and staff) loved that game! We had 4 baptisms during the week, the last one at 11:45 p.m. on Friday night.
I had a great staff, many of whom were experienced camp workers. That helped A LOT! The week would not have gone as well as it did without them. It is true that an effective leader is the one who surrounds himself with good, knowledgable, experienced people. Two of our staff members put together an incredible DVD of the week. We showed it to the campers late on Friday night, and they absolutely loved it. We also gave each of them a copy to take home. If I can figure out a way to post it on-line, I’ll let you know.
But my best, most helpful, and hardest working staff member was my wife, Jill. She served as a counselor and teacher. She helped out with activities, with clean-up and in the kitchen. She let me know when I was messing up, or needed to handle a situation. She knew what needed to be done, and made sure that it got done. I don’t know what I would have done without her last week. And then, bonehead that I am, I forgot to mention her when I was thanking people on our last night of camp. I know I’m not the first husband to do something like that. Why do we do that, guys? Why do we sometimes take our greatest treasure for granted?
Anyway, it was a good week, and I will do it again next year (if they want me to). I will try to post some pictures as I have time.
Nobody wants to get in a pool around here ’cause the water is so hot!
Maybe next year you should recruit bloggin volunteers to have as counselors…??
Glad it went well!
Congratulations, Jeff, on an awesome first time out. I look forward to sending my kids to camp under your direction and knowing it will be an awesome experience for them! And who knows … I might even come help!
Hey Jeff- Great week and great job organizing it! Wanted to let you know Carson was baptized Sunday morning following camp at AC.
Gentlemen- start your engines!
hey jeff thanks again for an awesome week of camp i had soo much fun..can’t wait till next year