Camp Retrospective

Just popping in to share a few things from camp. I was so busy running around and working that I only took three pictures. And two of them were of the same thing.
The belt making went great. I was really impressed how well everyone did. I think they were all surprised with how well the belts came out too.

Here's an in-progress belt. It was having its edges smoothed and still needed the final glossy coat.

Not pictured (but I wish it had been) was the counselor hunt. All the counselors hid around camp and the kids ran around trying to find them. I'm particularly proud of the spot I found. No one found me, but quite a few kids touched me without knowing it. (shoes and tummy) I won't reveal the spot in case I even need to use it again. It was surprising that only half the counselors were found. The rules were fairly restrictive in where we could hide, but it turns out high school kids aren't that thorough in their searching. They only think they are.

Leather Crafts

I've finally gotten all the supplies I need for camp. Today I spent some time working on a journal sample. Admittedly, if I were to spend all day on this, I think I could make an epic journal. But I felt that the sample should reflect what the kids can do in the limited craft time available.

While I was getting supplies, I also picked up two belts for myself. I'm hoping I can come up with some neat designs for them.

Breezy Days and Starry Nights

I just wanted to share a few more camp memories before getting back to the usual (knitting).

The first week at camp left me with free mornings. After breakfast and the morning staff meeting, I'd sit with my book and drink one of my secret Starbucks stash. I ended reading the whole 4th Anne of Green Gables book and started the 5th. It's been a long while since I was able to enjoy the breeze, the sun spotting through the trees, and a general sense of serenity. I've incorporated a bit of reading into my routine since I've been back.

Over the first week, we had a heart display. Every day it glowed a different color, starting with a purple/black and ended on white. The last night, the heart was taken from the stage and put up in the grove where we had an intimate worship.

There was a night swim both weeks, but on the first week, I was told that two of the directors had midnight tickets to the final Harry Potter movie and were too tired to go. Jordan, who was lifeguarding, and I jumped at the chance. As soon as the swim was over, we hustled people out of the pool area. We waited for an hour in line and got excellent seats. (Take that people who waited for 12 hours) I'm going to credit the seats to Jordan, though. He spotted a pair of seats and ran up on the non-aisle side to beat out two girls. That's right. He ran up people's armrests. He then hurled his body into the seats with a smug smile that said, "Claimed!" The guys that ended up being in front of us thought it was great fun and cheered him on.

Chief Crafting Engineer

I'm back from two weeks of camp. Man am I tired! But it was so worth it.

When the campers started to arrive, I helped out at the front of the camp. The official dress code for guiding cars: orange visibility vests and lightsabers. We were asked to make lightsaber noises while guiding cars. There was also a discussion about how we would have looked more like CalTrans workers if we didn't have the lightsabers.

At the beginning of each week we did a staff flashmob. (This video is from the second week, which was better rehearsed than the first week. I show up half way through in the back leftish corner. I don't have a blue shirt on.)

Since I wasn't cabin staff, junior staff, or anything with a particular title, I gave myself one. I was referred to as the craft engineer for most of my time at camp. I spent 5 weeks prepping the crafts, two weeks doing them with campers, and two hours cleaning it all up in the end.

I was so busy, I didn't really take any pictures of the different crafts. I did however manage to snap a picture of our lanyard setup. I remember some of those sample lanyards from when I was a brand new camper. (Which was maybe 15 years ago)

The snack shack was open during freetime. Among many yummy snacks, there were snow cones. Mmmm. Lime snow cone.

Night Games

I didn't mention this earlier, but I'm going to be at camp for the next two weeks. I'm the Chief Crafting Engineer. Internet is spotty, so I might manage to get a blog post or two in, but I won't really be checking anything or responding to anyone until I get back. Camp has already been really awesome. The first night, we had night games, complete with glow bracelets.

There were several games. I spent most of my time fiddling with my camera in order to get the glow bracelets to even show up in the pictures. Or I was dodging campers.

It was an excellent night. Everyone was exhausted when it was all over. I don't even remember my head hitting the pillow.

Love Blanket

The other day I was reading a blog post on Needled called Generosity. Kate talks about how generous knitters can be. She was a recipient of a hand knitted blanket made by ten people that she didn't know. I'm sure every knitter who reads that blog was a wee bit jealous. (Although she very much deserved every bit of love that blanket contained) Fast forward a few days. As I went out to walk the dog, I saw a package addressed to me from my old employer (and friend). I put it inside and continued on. Scooter had a quick walk that day. As soon as I got home, I ripped the box open.

Tore past the tissue paper to find this. A hand crocheted blanket made for me! Especially for me!!! For anyone who knits/ crochets/ quilts, etc, you know that each stitch was done with that special recipient in mind. As soon as I saw it, I exclaimed, "It's a love blanket!" And boy do I feel loved in it.

It's huge! It's heavy! It's double thick! All the color work is carried inside the stitches.

Thanks so much Mrs. L! I think about you, your husband, and camp very fondly. And every time I look at the blanket, I'll be reminded how loved I am. (I also appreciate the amount of postage it took to send the blanket to me)