first day of camp
Well, I am lucky enough to be the counselor for 17 awesome kids… We had a great day today (if a little tiring, of course.) It’s a real blast from the past, because Darby and I ran this same camp about, I think, 13 years ago.
The very first year we ran this camp, I spent all this money on supplies. But I learned the whole “kids enjoy the box more than the toy” principle fairly quickly. So now, we bought whistles and 6 balls. And we spent a whole day of action packed excitement using a stream, 2 waste bins and disposable cups. You wouldn’t believe just how much fun can be had with these things.
I should write a book about kids activities at some point. While I think I’m good at a number of things, making up fun games on the spot is definitely one of them. I made up a real winner called “Defend The King.” The kids will be talking about it for ages. It was great fun.
Who had more fun…the kids or you?
I want to see the Water Bandit make it into a screenplay. He would make such a cool character.
A book would be awesome for someone like me.
I have no imagination and if it doesn’t have instructions, I don’t know how to play…my poor kids are doomed….
Can you come to my house and play?
How old are the kids in your camp?
And those kids you had at camp originally are now adults and they have GREAT memories! How wonderful for this next crop that you are doing Camp AGape again!
Have you continued the tradition of “Scatter”? I can’t wait to teach my kids that game when they are older.
Jamie, that reminds me! Great suggestion! We’ll definitely have to play scatter.
I do love that we’re making memories. I know that we are. These are just special times that wouldn’t have happened otherwise.
Heidi – we have ages 4 to 12, and it’s kind of a one room schoolhouse approach – we all hang out together and do activities together. It makes the younger kids act older and the older kids act more like kids.
So now I need to know..is that how you are filling your day? I would love to bring Ethan down to the camp to expand his environment, help break him out of his shell, and be around such creative people THAT I TRUST!!!! We have to talk more!
Haha, email me Heidi. Yes, I’m running 4 sessions during July! I thought you knew.
I am so glad you are loving this! I am currently in the throes of the Performing Arts Institute here at UCLA and I am aglow with the fun, but fatigued in all the energy you have to bring to the kids. It’s a fantastic experience! And FYI, I’m finding that a great way to keep track of the work we’re doing (especially the on-the-spot) stuff is to make notes every night of what we did, as well as any ideas I might have for the next day. This way, the footwork is all done if ever I want to go back over things.