1. No longer having to listen to anyone’s Camp Countdowns.
2. The day we drive out to Blairstown with our first load of camp gear … boxes and boxes, hopefully with helpers and helpers!
3. Hooking up our phones and computers and being excited that everything works and we’re “open for business” in Blairstown for the next 11 weeks.
4. Taking my first morning walk around Blair Academy and Blairstown, hoping that I’ll see the bald eagle that sits on top of the dead tree at the end of the pond in the early morning, warming in the first rays of the sun.
5. Sleeping in my camp bed that first night, even though I have to get used to it again!
6. Seeing all of our friends at Blair Academy and hearing them say, “Is it summer already? Wow, the year went by fast. Welcome back! When do the campers come?”
7. Seeing all of the staff in June, after waiting for months and months to bring these awesome people together as one incredible team.
8. Two or three hours after the whole staff is together, realizing that the “magic of camp” has worked once again and we all feel like long-time friends.
9. The first bunk meeting.
10. The staff assistants, together again for the first time since our orientation weekend in early March. They are the closest thing I get to having a bunk group.
11. The moment that the co-bunk counselors are announced, watching those first reactions as they meet their new co-workers.
12. That first “Settling In Saturday”, when the entire staff is bursting with excitement and energy as the parents and campers arrive at each dorm.
13. Very early in the morning, that first camp Monday, when I watch the bus counselors leave Blairstown to meet their drivers and head out to the beginnings of their routes.
14. The campers arriving! Busses pulling around the curve of the Blair roadway and stopping in front of the theatre while all the staff cheer and clap as each camper steps off his/her bus.
15. The sounds of camp, now that our staff and campers are all together. Singing, shouting, laughing. There’s an energy and buzz everywhere.
16. The first time we sing the Announcements Song, and every time after that, thinking up ways to get different camper and staff up front to lead the song.
17. Frito pie, eggplant rollatini, the salad bar, tuna fish, water with ice cubes, grilled cheese, broccoli.
18. The first time smoke blows into my eyes at the campfire.
19. Walking around camp at night after everyone has settled down, feeling the exhaustion of a camp day and knowing that everyone is dreaming about new adventures tomorrow.
20. Not caring what my camp bed feels like because I’m so tired.
If you’ve got a list of things you’re excited about (whether it’s one things or 20), send it to me in an email and I’ll be glad to share it in one of our blogs. tom@campuskids.com
It’s time for me to get back to work so I’ll be ready for all those things on my list to happen. See you at camp!
Tom
