A few weeks ago I was sitting in the conference room at the office (for our holiday party) painting Bob's nails. Be honest. How many of you think that sounds weird? Well, if it did, maybe you are overdue for a dose of camp. Needless to say, my campless co-workers were completely aghast at Bob's alternating red and blue glitter nails (you can ask Bob about the weird look a stranger gave him later). It made me think about all the crazy things camp brings out of us... some more than others.
So, take few moments and think about a fellow counselor or staff that did something crazy and call them out! Yes, if you are getting this via email, take 2 minutes, click to the blog and leave a comment about what crazy thing camp has brought out in someone or yourself... cross-dressing, glitter, make-up, unitards, eating something that makes you puke and then you keep eating... you get the picture.
Don't worry. I have an example.
Pattycakes (I know you'll be cool with me calling you out!) - first year at SIBS camp, we were a little unsure of how he was going to be at camp. It took Pattycakes all of 1.2 seconds to really be himself (as we now know) and bring out the crazy in us all. One particular moment was about mid-week in the staff lounge. We were all hanging around on the couches and I'm pretty sure some Will Ferrel impressions were flying around. The topic of Will Ferrel's "Old School" rhythmic gymnastic dance came out, and there was Patty, holding a streamer, leaping all around. I magically acquired "Chariots of Fire" so he could dance to the appropriate music. Needless to say that we were crying with laughter (oh, where did that video go?!)
Pattycakes (I know you'll be cool with me calling you out!) - first year at SIBS camp, we were a little unsure of how he was going to be at camp. It took Pattycakes all of 1.2 seconds to really be himself (as we now know) and bring out the crazy in us all. One particular moment was about mid-week in the staff lounge. We were all hanging around on the couches and I'm pretty sure some Will Ferrel impressions were flying around. The topic of Will Ferrel's "Old School" rhythmic gymnastic dance came out, and there was Patty, holding a streamer, leaping all around. I magically acquired "Chariots of Fire" so he could dance to the appropriate music. Needless to say that we were crying with laughter (oh, where did that video go?!)
Camp not only brings it out in us, but also in the campers. A place to have fun, face our fears, be supported, and be ourselves. How special!
So, get those little fingers ready and leave a comment.... ready... set... GO!
Camp Makes a Difference
Nice article Bean! Just to clarify, Karina was painting Bob's nails, not Robby.
ReplyDelete5:00am Saturday morning Resident Oncology Camp, some ten years ago. Hoss and I wake up to a young Jose SanMartin coming into our room to wake us up. He was painted from waist to face in royal blue. As our Mudbowl jerseys are royal blue and Jose had forgotten to pack his jersey that year, he decided his solution was to paint a jersey on. When he started painting the shirt, he decided that it would be a better idea to continue painting his arms, both sides of his hands, his face, ears, hair, and even his EYELIDS! He even had some white paint to slap a number three on his back. It was quite an impressing paint job to say the least. I remember asking Joser what he had written on his chest. He replied "FEAR!" Then we asked Joser if he had done this paint job looking in the mirror? Joser replied, yes I used the mirror in the bathroom and had no help, why? Because your chest doesn't say FEAR it says, "REAF!"