Training. Begins, Now.

"Smackos," s'mores tacos, sizzling in anticipation of
the snack-out we'll have with campers every Tuesday

"Everybody's got a water buffalo..." the a cappella strains of this familiar tune, traditionally sung by a cucumber, echoed through the gym as we fought to keep our grip on the water buffalo's head. I don't know if you've ever clung to the face of a long-soul-less water buffalo before, its blunt, breathless nose extending awkwardly close to your own. If so, you'll know that it's the stuff memories are made of. If not, you can probably imagine.





In case you're wondering why staff training for summer camp has me wrestling large, taxidermied African mammals, don't worry: I'll get to that. First things first.



Training, Day One:

On our first full day of training, while most of the staff sat in a first aid course, I dangled precariously from a precipice. --Ok, actually more of a tower. The climbing wall tower, to be exact. The entire day being devoted to literally "learning the ropes" of how to lead wall climbing, I learned how to set up, check equipment, instruct campers, tie knots, and belay climbers. We also got to climb a good deal, and to practice belaying each other. --And to lie on the grass and eat freezies.

The next two days were all about SET UP! Washing, wiping, moving, organizing, assembling, mopping, wrestling that buffalo head out of the music and drama room we were organizing... Moments in between sometimes included a trip to the staff lounge to visit its bottomless supplies of Gatorade, chocolate bars and candy! Oh yeah, and fresh fruit and granola bars. This is shaping up to be a great summer...