still love my camp, my camp friends, and all that skylemar means 40 years later below is todays skylemar post - beautifully said by Director Arlene. "Many say that a parent’s job is the hardest and most meaningful in the world. True, no doubt. But for the seven weeks of summer, we beg to differ. As said to each applicant interviewed, being a camp counselor is the toughest job you’ll ever love. Loving is what they do. They love your son, and strive to do anything possible to keep him healthy and safe. They love their particular sport, and hope to inspire others to feel the same. For this they travel great distances, sacrificing the freedoms of college life. No more weekends off. No more sleeping until 10am. Instead, they’ll work round the clock, as teachers, coaches, big brothers, heroes and role models. Living in one room with seven to ten people is in itself quite remarkable. Ever try to get your son to clean his room? How about eight of those sons, each with his own “stuff”. How about making those beds, cleaning the toilet and sweeping the floor? Parenting usually comes about gradually. From newborn to teen, you’ve had some years to get to know each other. But a counselor? June 23 – BAM! You’ve got septuplets, and they’re already age eleven. Teachers and coaches they are, but a counselor’s job is far more diverse. They’re party planners and psychologists; housekeepers and policemen. They’re plumbers when the toilet’s clogged and salesmen when the game is new. Always peacemakers and negotiators throughout the day. There’s no “escaping” to the basement, kitchen or office. No separate bedroom, but instead direct access in the event of a scary dream. It’s non-stop be-a-part-of-it playtime, from dawn until bed time. Now what mom or dad does that? Like parents, counselors certainly are not perfect. They lose their cools just as parents do, and occasionally over react or say the wrong thing. Apologies are made, and we start again fresh. Speaking of cool: Counselors trump parents. No question about it. Counselors are cooler. Bunk 10 was talking about their “awesome” counselors this evening at Night Chill. When asked what makes them “cool”, eleven year old George M maturely explained, “Counselors get you to try things that you’re normally afraid to do and then you end up happy that you did it for the rest of your life.” Well said. To our counselors we thank you, for loving, encouraging, reminding and supporting. Thank you for cleaning up spills, wiping tears, changing sheets, applying sunscreen, and dividing that extra piece of cake into seven little pieces. Thank you for making a positive difference in the world, one Skylemar camper at a time."
Posted on: Wed, 10 Jul 2013 17:16:19 +0000
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