Half Time

Yesterday was the last day of the first session of camp for the summer. It was a rather bittersweet day. I can't believe how fast these past four weeks have flown by! It's weird to think that I worked on planning this camp for months and now the first half is done.

The last four weeks have taught me more than I ever anticipated they would. I expected to work hard and play harder. I expected to get sunburned and water logged. (Pretty sure I'm going to die of skin cancer inspite of 70 spf sunscreen. Argh...) What I didn't expect were so many lessons learned. . .

I learned that I am not nearly as young as I think I am. I hate to admit it but I almost lost my lunch two different times at Lagoon. Pretty dissapointing, I know. It's weird to feel like I'm 18 years old until I step onto the Tilt-A-Whirl and I suddenly feel 81 years old. Ew.

I learned that I can fight crime, pack lunches, load vans, sunscreen 13 children, get stung by a "jelly fish," give a great pep talk, fly with Lava Girl (or Shark Boy - depending on the day), play Squid, have my hair "styled" numerous times, and perform Operation TidyStorm all before 9:30 am.

I learned to laugh rather than cry. This is something I am constantly learning! Sometimes it's a tough call to make, but laughing generally doesn't result in a head ache and red rimmed eyes. When I remember that, the choice is pretty easy - even when one of your favorite campers puts your keys in her Hello Kitty backpack without you knowing and then heads home to Park City. Three hours later...

I learned to have confidence in my abilities and choices.

I learned that (according to one of my campers) it's not appropriate to pee in a public pool but it's totally ok to fart. Who knew?

I learned the a "torn skin" emergency calls for absolute panic and hysteria involving everyone in the immediate vicinity.

I learned that service is a HUGE part of our lives here on earth. We are here to help and lift others. I'm glad that I was able to see kids transform into better versions of themselves through this experience. I only hope that the transformation I saw in them was reflected in me as well.

I learned that three pink plastic table cloths, a cooler full of water and a slight hill do NOT a Slip-N-Slide make. Also, 250 water balloons take about 3 hours to fill up and about 10 minutes to destroy.

I learned that everyone has something to offer. Everyone - regardless of age or disability.

I learned that I would be an amazing sherpa. I've never in my life carried so much stuff in one fail swoop. Pretty amazing honestly.

I learned to accept help and not try and do everything by myself and on my own. Well, maybe I didn't so much learn it as realize that I need to learn it. Someday...

I learned that I want to be more accepting and loving of differences and weaknesses in myself and other people.

I learned that an 8 year old boy and 3 bobby pins can "make Kayla very beautiful." If only it were that easy, eh?

I learned that ten year old girls wearing long sleeves and long fleece pants all summer do NOT in fact melt in the sun.

I learned that one week off before doing it ALL again shouldn't seem like enough. It should make me exhausted just thinking about it. Oddly enough, I'm anxious to do it all! Again.

I learned that this camp has inspired me to be a better person. Now, to make it stick...