Fan Lake Trip Report
The bikes pass under the canopy of pine trees and through the line of junior counselors waving bright yellow oars in the air, while the rest of camp cheers us on. Arriving at the dock, one by one we toss our mountain bikes on the ground and join the line of people waiting to perform the ritual belly flop into Fan Lake. The crowd cringes in sympathy as each body hits the water. My heart races when it is finally my turn to jump with my arms and legs spread from the diving board. My stomach aches when I hit the water, but not as much as my legs do from riding 300 miles in a week. Splashing in the lake, I am amazed to have just completed the bike trip that begins the transition from camper to counselor at Camp Reed.
I vividly recall watching this …show more content…
I was thankful I had experience being around children at that age from volunteering at the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery. I have learned that six-year-olds want your full attention and to be played with nonstop; that requires me to be very patient, and creative in helping them find the potential joy in each day. One night, some girls from the reservation proudly lead the rest of us in attempting their tribal dances, jumping almost skipping around the fire chanting in their native language. Watching the girls dance, I was introduced to a different culture and way of life that exists just forty-five minutes from my home. The diversity I have found at camp has broadened my world and perspectives.
One of the rules that campers often find hard to understand is no makeup and no technology. When some of the older girls tried to sneakily apply makeup, I explained that this rule de-emphasizes how you look in order to focus on inner beauty, so everyone can see each other without disguises or filters. For teenage girls, this is awkward because there is an expectation of flirting in coed situations which interferes with creating comfortable boy-girl friendships. Counselors are role models by agreeing not to date at camp, to keep the focus on group activities and developing platonic
I vividly recall watching this …show more content…
I was thankful I had experience being around children at that age from volunteering at the Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery. I have learned that six-year-olds want your full attention and to be played with nonstop; that requires me to be very patient, and creative in helping them find the potential joy in each day. One night, some girls from the reservation proudly lead the rest of us in attempting their tribal dances, jumping almost skipping around the fire chanting in their native language. Watching the girls dance, I was introduced to a different culture and way of life that exists just forty-five minutes from my home. The diversity I have found at camp has broadened my world and perspectives.
One of the rules that campers often find hard to understand is no makeup and no technology. When some of the older girls tried to sneakily apply makeup, I explained that this rule de-emphasizes how you look in order to focus on inner beauty, so everyone can see each other without disguises or filters. For teenage girls, this is awkward because there is an expectation of flirting in coed situations which interferes with creating comfortable boy-girl friendships. Counselors are role models by agreeing not to date at camp, to keep the focus on group activities and developing platonic