WILAC S2 P6

This job cannot be done with one Maintenance worker
Joe needs a JC
"Why did the cow jump over the moon?"
"My mom is very poor, and..." (Actually from last week)
"Everyone has a gorilla
Joe is not a DJ
Jitterbuging cannot be made-up
Broken soda canisters explode
There are too many people at meals
"Burn the rope to drop the box"
"I'm one-cheeking it here"
Compy did it
Only Joe's cabin can keep quiet in the night game
"My name's Tony Petreli; I can fix yer car."
"Thankful for the rain and the rainbows"

*Don't always ask why

So this week was Junior High Week One, also known as the best-kept secret of the summer. I was the only mantenance worker on staff (besides my boss), but the kitchen crew and male life guards were very helpful this week. Well, everyone was helpful this week in one way or another, from pitching in to clean the bathrooms to making sure their tables were actually cleaned off. In addition to my daily maintenance rountine, I also helped out with the Reader's Theater production, which carved out two hours of my day to trying to keep Junior Highers quiet. Nothing bad happened, and everything was completed as it should. The fires were fine, bathrooms were clean, games were played, and tables were moved.

I learned two major things this week: 1) I can't do it all by myself, and 2) You don't always need to ask why. The first one is pretty straightforward. although you could go all existential about it and extrapolate it into a huge, universe-encompassing moral lesson. The second one was taught to me in two different ways. First, we had a volunteer who would always ask, "why?" even when the answer was obvious or the question didn't need to be asked. It ended up becoming so ridiculous that it just became tiring after the first day. Second, I saw certain staffers second-guessing both their actions and the events that were happening to them. It drove them (and, as the one who has constantly hearing about it, me) nuts. Without going into too much depth, all I can say is that sometimes, it pays to not worry and let everything cause bumps along the way. Sometimes, it's okay to let it roll over you and just relax. Trust me, I've worried about enough nonsense over the years to be able to say that worrying too much is hazardous to one's health.

So, next week is Junior High 2, the Best Week of the Summer, and I actually go back to camp in a little more than an hour. This is the last week for the counseling staff, apart from a few who will stay on for the Family Weeks, and it is the week with the most campers of any week. It also has some of the most fun activities of any week, but it will still be a challenge to everyone.

WILAC S2 P3

Ty wears his sunglasses at night

Never offer to make out with someone to prove you're straight

Lauren shouldn't huff sugar

$5

You'll find work if you look for it, and if you don't

"QUIET!!!"

Tony doesn't drive on diesel

Seniors like to shower

"Do it on the weekend"

Camp is bad when the water's out

Seth can shoot 4 clay pigeons with one BB

"Ow...you shot me in the chin"

Tom was the skunk

Danielle M. is evil

Chelsea is a marks(wo)man

Stephen is a pyromaniac

It's always good to have someone to talk to

Well, this week I didn't really have any big revelations or major changes to my life. I'm really tired this weekend, so much so that I'm misspelling about every third word as I type. I did learn, however, that being the "nice guy" can simultaneously be wonderful and horrible at the same time.

Anyhow, I'm really sorry to my readers (all 4 of you as far as I know), but I'm really tired and our of energy for the day since I had an awesome day hanging out with one of the best people in the world. I may update this one later in the week, but it seems unlikely.

Next weeks starts the beginning of three easier week, Junior Weeks 1&2, and Junior High 1 (the best-kept secret of the summer.). Remember, there's still space available to anyone who wants to join.

Goodnight New York~!

WILAC, S.2, P.2

What I learned during Precious Jewels Week:

(N.B. As I was typing, I realized some of these sound rude, but were originally said in innocent context, which I have included at the end of the quote)

"Anyone need a hoe?"

"Drive it like it's stolen"

'Barzelfarf"

"If you wanna get wet then go roll in a puddle"

"That's how we do it BaYouCa style: freeze 'em and beat 'em" (referring to chicken)

"Lemme put my pants on" (referring to my pants that zip off into shorts)

"I will hip check you into next week"

"We don't slap, we grab" (referring to being the first to grab a ball away from the opponent to win a round of Electricity)

When it rains, it pours

My car is for sale for a dollar

I'm a hetero version of a gay best friend

A pawpaw is a small tree/shrub with sweet berries

Hypocrisy

The benches on the left side of the dinning hall are lower than the right

• Don't ever judge a book by it's cover.

That last one is what I want to focus on this week as I was on both the receiving and giving side of this cliché. Surprisingly, this has nothing to do with the actual Precious Jewels, who are, for hose of you who don't know, mentally handicapped campers that the camp hosts for a single week. This year, I did not have any campers in my cabin (which is good since my counselor was having health problems), instead I had a cabin full of volunteers from a youth group in Michigan. It could have gone better...

Long story short, their youth leader, when respectfully approached on the matter of a miscommunication that left us without beds, completely shut us down because we were younger than him. (yes, this will be a bit of a rant. I'm trying to get over it, but I need to spew for a bit) Have I mentioned yet that he was probably only five years older than me? I'm not over-exaggerating either; he literally said we were too young to talk to adults about this stuff. Us, who are entrusted with the safety and leadership of preteens, teens, and mentally handicapped adults. and this man, who was in charge (barely) of a group of adolescents encouraged his group to break rules and made more inappropriate jokes than the entire group combined.

I'm trying to follow 1 timothy 4:12, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity" (NIV), especially the last part, but I am having trouble. On of the things that really gets on my nerves (among being interrupted and when people ask me for advice and then completely ignore it) is being criticized for my age, especially since I'm young for my grade level (Sophomore at college and only 18). Deep breath...they're gone. I just have to forget about them.

I know that's kind of off-topic for cover-judging, but it fits well-enough. I'll also admit (without giving away too many details) that I judged someone unfairly this past week, and I was dramatically proven wrong. It wasn't so much an age thing, but not knowing someone's background fully, which is next to impossible to know upon meeting someone (Hi, my name's ___ and my life story begins when...). So, it just proves once again that I'm not even close to being a good role model yet, but I think I managed to save the situation.

Well, I think that's the gist of it for this week. Next week is Precious Jewels Two--I mean, Senior High Week, which is the end of the "hard" weeks. Keep all of us in prayer.

What I Learned At Camp, season 2, pt 1

"You don't like pancakes? What are you, the devil?"

"Remember guys: professionalism-" "Pants on the ground!"

PD

"Freedom!"

Christian can't lead in the dark

"Whuh?"

"Or you'll die"

A weatherman-preacher can solve all problems

Someone stole the bat video

"Can I sit on your roof?"

"If you're with me, clap your hands! / Slap your knees! / Stomp your feet!"

We must always wait for the bell

I am a lionotter

Longer the hair, the closer the shave

I can't get along with someone of the opposite sex without starting rumors that we're in a relationship

So, if you're new to my little blog here, after every week I post a list of amusing quotes and facts from camp, along with a deeper evaluation of the week as a whole. This past week was the beginning of my second summer working at BaYouCa (Baptist Youth Camp): staff training week. If you were following me last year, you might remember the struggles I had adjusting to the working. for those of you who weren't following me, the week last year challenged me so much that I almost quit, which is not something I ever do.

This year, however, staff training went, well, swimmingly except for two injuries and an asthma attack. The weather wasn't the best (I poured Wed-Friday), but we still got everything done that needed to be done since Boss sent us home Friday night instead of Saturday noon. (Well, there are still some logs that need to be cut but still). I don't actually have much to report this time around.

It was really great to see some old friends from last year and making new ones since most of the staff was new to me. I really think this year is going to be great given the people we have on staff. (But man, employing all these 16-year-olds who are still in high school makes me feel old.) Everyone seems to work really well together, and there are so many unique personalities that nothing will ever get old. I know everyone's nervous about how the summer will turn out, especially the first-time staff and counselors, but I'm sure that by the grace of God, everything will be fine.

Untitled

My heart weighs heavy;
I know not what to think.
My worst fears alive,
Pushing (me) towards the brink
of mindless self-loathing, and
sociological despair.
I feel so alone, surrounded by so many.
All I have is me and my own, but
that is the light in the darkness-
I know I won't be left behind.
It's time for me to make my move;
Time for me to shine.