Whoa! Packing Last Minute

Today all the campers arrive for the start of second month (or session "C" now that camp is broken up into 4 two week sessions). Originally I was asked back for the last two weeks to work in the kitchen. I was so honored and excited to be coming back! And with a 3.5 year old, I didn't expect to have her there. I immediately made plans to stick my child with my parents during the week and my husband on the weekends (like last year). I was ready to go (mentally)!

As you know, with Camp, you go with the flow, do whatever is needed (because you just love the place so darn much and will sell your soul just soul just to get back into the woods). I started to pack a month before I was actually going to attend. I rounded up all sorts of things that I would have taken as a camper back in the 80s to make my camp experience comfortable. I was on a roll and packed in less than 24 hours. Then the call came to see if I could come another week (of course I'd like to come another week). An additional week in the kitchen would be great (since I did it last summer). Yes! Now I'd plan to bring my electric knife sharpener and some extra kitchen goodies to make it even better. Okay, not much more to add to the already packed trunk, duffle bag, and now extra storage container. Ready to go (again). Calendar clear. All systems go! Then another call came in with a need to teach tennis! Wow! Yes!

If you know my camp history, I was an avid canoer and always taught on the canoe dock. I was the youngest camper to ever pass my star (Sunshine Gang) and passed every year through older JC year. I played tennis from elementary school through high school, college, and 20 years in competitive leagues in Florida. For the last 5 years I've played weekly with others locally, so to be asked to teach tennis & work in the kitchen was not only challenging but exciting. It's kept me up at night with ideas on how to maximize the time the campers have and working efficiently. I'm up for the task. I love it.

So the duel challenge of heading up the tennis program and working in the kitchen had me reassessing my previously packed items. The bonus of coming a month is that my toddler will be attending the first and last week! I will be paired with other ladies from my youth, so I know Lucy will be in capable hands and is very teachable. In fact, my dream is to make her the best of all of us and get the camp spirit in her blood so that she can be the best leader, encourager and example to all those present and coming up in the ranks.

The summer of 2012 is going to be life changing! Camp Monterey, 68 years in operation, here I come!