24 staffers (+1 video guy) show up in mid may. some of them are returners and know exactly what they are getting themselves into. some of them are 100% new to look up and the first time they ever stepped foot on the property was their interview.
summer staff 2K12
last year we had 18 new staffers and 6 returners. this was good for me, as I was also the new kid in town whose first look up experience was my interview.
this year we had 7 new staffers and 17 returners. this also proved good for me.
in April when all hiring was made final, we had only 1 short month to wait to be reunited. the staffers most excited about each other of course. but myself most excited to see their bright and shining faces and to have 24 (whether they knew it yet or not) of my favorite people back around for 3 months.
these students are beasts during the summer. i honestly don't know that i could function on the level that they function for those 3 months. they get up, go to breakfast with their kids around 8am, go to chapel, lead an activity, go to lunch, lead group rec, work free time, go to dinner, sing and act in funapolooza, go to chapel, lead group application time, hang out with their kids, probably had meal duty once that day, likely helped some kid with a minor injury, go home and have quality time with their roommates no earlier than 10pm and get up the next day and do it again. and again and again. and when each camp session is over they clean the entire camp.
there are many ups and downs during the summer.
some weeks we all want to not be here.
some weeks everyone gets along seamlessly.
some weeks there is that one thing that happens that can make the entire summer worth it.
and at the end of the summer, after the end of summer dinner, they all leave. (well, a few stick around a little longer and a few others don't stay gone for very long)
the relationship you form with someone in one summer at camp is just different than with any other people you meet in your day to day life. so much intense time in each other's lives. you know so much about someone in these short short months but looooong days.
and then in mid august you go back to your regular life.
being a former staffer at a few different camps, i know how they feel. as if you leave a part of you with each person you met this summer. as if a part of you leaves with them.
the staffers (for the most part) have been gone for almost 2 weeks.
being the introvert that i am, i have enjoyed the peace and quiet. BUT. i would have them all back in a heart beat to share the laughs and chats that were so good this summer. and i look forward to surprise visits and planned times that they will each show up because they just can't stay away.
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