So of course you're not surprised that I haven't updated nearly as often as I wanted to or should be. I've been working at Camp DREAM for 5 weeks now (one of orientation and 4 of actual camp). We've have 2 teen weeks and 2 weeks of 10-12 girls and boy so far. I must say, it's a challenging job but it's a ton of fun.
As a staff, we've been working really hard and have just started to really come together as a team to plan and execute a great week at camp. This past week we had an entirely Harry Potter themed week (to get pumped for the final piece of the saga of course!) complete with a potions lesson in ice cream making and a silly scavenger hunt that ended in a dance party in the woods.
This isn't to say that the job isn't without challenges. The hours are long (and technically we're on call for 24 hours a day) and I definitely still wrestle with the whole living in the woods with the bugs thing. My biggest challenge is still finding the purpose and value in my work. Of course I know it has both of those things, the challenge is to really feel that I am doing what I should be. I really feel that my mindfulness exercises from my practicum this past year are helping me examine where I am and what I should be doing.
I'm also in the middle of having a bit of a hard time with the whole future plan thing. I've been accepted to the Covenant House Faith Community and have chosen to defer this opportunity until 2012 in hopes of still getting placed with AmeriCorps NCCC. I don't regret this decision at all and I think I will be more prepared to work at Covenant House (a position more focussed on what I want to do with my life) after another experience that is slightly different. However, it's still pretty draining when every day is a continuous waiting game for what I'll be doing the next 10 months. So I'm waiting for that and trying to just take it as it comes.
Meanwhile, we're living in the midst of a heat wave here in Burlington, and it doesn't look like I'll be getting too much relief when I head home after our 3 day camp session this week. Still, I'm excited to see my family and friends for what looks like it will be a fun fiesta at my house!
So, that's it for now. Hopefully I can check in sooner rather than later. Who knows, maybe I'll have some good news to share (fingers crossed). Until then!
-Christine
