Let me say this. This week was the TOUGHEST WEEK OF MY LIFE. I put that in caps because I really want to make sure when I read this years from now, I will remember everything that happen this week. This is called "Just for you" week where the campers are getting one on one attention with the counselors and staff. I had this camper name Randy this week and he was cool camper. But he also tested my patience, big time. This was the first week where I had night duty as well. Night duty is where three counselors sleep with the campers in the cabin over night, making sure the campers personal care is covered at least 3 times at night (12 am, 3 am, 6 am). Lets just say that by Friday, I was tired. But I guess all I needed was my Friday afternoon nap and I was good to go.
To get back to Randy, he is guy who uses a wheelchair, but is able to move around a bit. What I mean by that is he is able to get himself onto his bed or a couch or go to the bathroom. Randy was able to do some things by himself but there are things that he definitely needed assistance with. To me, he was a great person to work with during my second week. I learned a lot about the job of being a counselor from working with him. I also learned that I have a lot of patience, patience that I never knew I could control. That is a great thing. Randy is great camper all together. He loves Mickey Mouse . When he was here, he loved to swim, and he loved his meals. This week we had the opportunity to do different things. Some activities he chose not to do, but did a great job encouraging is fellow campers. He loved seeing the animals, participating in archery, painting shirts, and chillin in the snoezell room. I am glad I got a chance to work with him, and if he comes back during my year I am here, then maybe it will be even better.
This week I got a chance to work with Britta and Mark, two other camp counselors who have been here a while and know the ropes. They really did a great job looking out for me, showing me how to do things, while I am still learning the job. I give them all the credit in the world for that because during this week I felt so overwhelmed that I didn't know if I could do this job or not. There were times I was so physically, emotionally, and mentally burned out that I didn't know what to do. But I think all that comes from not working in an environment like ever, that includes my two one-week sessions I did at Foothill Horizons back home in California 12 years ago. But when Friday hit, during the staff meeting, everyone thought I did a decent job with Randy this week, and confidence grew from that point on. I think at that point, I knew I was going to be ok, and that I know that this job is going to change me for a lifetime.
To get back to Randy, he is guy who uses a wheelchair, but is able to move around a bit. What I mean by that is he is able to get himself onto his bed or a couch or go to the bathroom. Randy was able to do some things by himself but there are things that he definitely needed assistance with. To me, he was a great person to work with during my second week. I learned a lot about the job of being a counselor from working with him. I also learned that I have a lot of patience, patience that I never knew I could control. That is a great thing. Randy is great camper all together. He loves Mickey Mouse . When he was here, he loved to swim, and he loved his meals. This week we had the opportunity to do different things. Some activities he chose not to do, but did a great job encouraging is fellow campers. He loved seeing the animals, participating in archery, painting shirts, and chillin in the snoezell room. I am glad I got a chance to work with him, and if he comes back during my year I am here, then maybe it will be even better.
This week I got a chance to work with Britta and Mark, two other camp counselors who have been here a while and know the ropes. They really did a great job looking out for me, showing me how to do things, while I am still learning the job. I give them all the credit in the world for that because during this week I felt so overwhelmed that I didn't know if I could do this job or not. There were times I was so physically, emotionally, and mentally burned out that I didn't know what to do. But I think all that comes from not working in an environment like ever, that includes my two one-week sessions I did at Foothill Horizons back home in California 12 years ago. But when Friday hit, during the staff meeting, everyone thought I did a decent job with Randy this week, and confidence grew from that point on. I think at that point, I knew I was going to be ok, and that I know that this job is going to change me for a lifetime.
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