One Busy Week

This is one week every year that I am always happy to be over with quickly. Cub Scout Day Camp. Don't get me wrong, I do enjoy myself most of the time. However, there is a lot of sweat, blood and tears that go with it. This was my sixth and final year as a Station Leader. Last year I had anticipated as my last year, but as the event is govern by various members of my church; every time they saw me, they would ask the same deadly question"you are helping again this year, right Kristyn?". At first I was saying no, by Christmas it turned into maybe, Spring was a possibly, and sure enough by June it was most likely. Yes, I know. I have the will of a field mouse. But, these women asked me every time they saw me. Though they asked me what I have planned for my station next year and I flat out laughed. When they asked me what was so funny, I replied that I wont be here next year. I am moving to Utah sometime this summer. So, now as they lament, they have to find a bigger sucker than I to assist the Science Station. Therefore, I shall now begin the tale of this infamous day camp.

Every year brings something different. Such as the theme of the camp. Last year was Pirates, this year it was Galactic. Galactic was mainly a Star Wars thing. We had everything from cheesy costumes to dens having their own cheer which they had to perform at every station. Some were cute, but some where somewhat tedious. But their enthusiasm makes things worth it.

As I mentioned before, I am a Station Leader. Every third week of June, I stay with the former female Advisor from my old Venturing Crew in Prineville. Her name is Kate. She and I are in charge of the Science Station. Our subject for the week was Astronomy. When she told me that was what we were doing, I was ecstatic as Astronomy is one of my favourite subjects.

So, Monday morning, I get packed and run the errands I need to get myself prepared. That evening Kate picks me up from my apartment in Redmond and takes me out to her home in Prineville. We put together some of the things we needed for the week, and then I had fun on the computer by chatting with a friend and having a religious conversation with Kate at the same time. We ended staying up a little later than planned (around two in the morning).

I wake up early Tuesday morning, maintained myself and ate a quick breakfast. We get down to Les Schwab Park, and cart different containers and boxes to the table that was to be our station. Our station consisted of a table and a small canopy to protect the boys from the sun. So, after bathing ourselves in sun screen. We felt prepared to take on both Mother Nature and the Scouts. Today's activity was about Earth's Atmosphere. We discussed why the sky is blue, and various details about Earth. For those who aren't aware; When the Sun sends its light 93 million miles our direction. It bounces off of our atmosphere by the various chemical elements it is made of. To emphasize its point, we filled some Mason jars with water and added some milk. Then the boys on one side of the table shined flashlights through the jar and the light shined blue to the boys on the other side (showing the sky on a sunny day), but to the boys with the flashlights it was a reddish colour (showing the sunrise and sunset). This got the boys really excited. Then at the end of the day, we cleaned up and went back to the house. We worked on some projects while watching the Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Kate wanted me to watch it because apparently I have quite a physical and personality resemblance to the character Lucy Pevensie. I was astonished to see that she was correct. I also noticed that some of my closest friends were like different characters in the film. After the movie, I did some work on the computer and went to bed.

On Wednesday, we had an Astronomer by the name of Larry, who works at the nature center and observatory in Sunriver. He discussed the different planets and how far they were from the sun. He then took the boys on a walk that required me to pace how many steps to each planet (seeing how it is unlikely for us to take a trip through the Solar System and make it back in time for the closing ceremony). This was fun until the last couple of trips, because of the fatigue that afflicted every participant. I also enjoyed chatting with Larry. He was an English instructor for eight years. Then he started a career in Astronomy. That night I ended up passing out for a good couple of hours, which was cloud nine for me.

Thursday......one disaster after another. My alarm clock never went off. So, I leaped out of bed and dived into the bathroom across the hall. Within five minutes, I was dressed and was in the process of putting on socks and shoes while hopping out the door. We get down to camp and at the beginning of the first session, Kate gets her hand caught in one of those Coleman chairs that don't close easily. She can't get out and I went to help her, but because I am a kinetic learner and very klutzy, she tells me to stay away. Then, finally one of the leaders jumps in to help. They can't figure it out and Kate wrenched her hand out of the joints of the chair. I was still in shock and frozen to my place when one of the parents came up to me asking if I was all right. And out of nowhere my eyes fill with tears and I am led away to pull myself together. I was embarrassed for that, not to mention I felt like I had made matters worse. While I was getting my wits back, Kate had asked one of the other assistants to help so she could take a break and get back her wits. The assistant flat out refused. So, after Kate took care of a few details, then left one of the parents in charge. That was when one of the Camp Directors found me and helped me back to the station. After a few minutes, Kate came back. Today's activities was the boys were to take a black or blue umbrella and draw the constellations Big Dipper and Cassiopeia, so they could trace it in glow-in-the-dark paint on Friday. We went through the rest of the morning. Then, during lunch Kate was very upset. So, I insisted that she take the rest of the day off and I would cover the afternoon sessions. The boys were very understanding and bore with me. The leaders and parents were also very helpful. After camp, I walked back to Kate's and enjoyed the solitude that the walk granted me. When I get home, Kate was asleep. So, I spent the evening reading a book and listening to the music on my my space profile.

Friday morning, I woke up earlier than usual (much to my displeasure) at four-thirty. Kate, who slept all afternoon and night was up. She and I end up sitting down with a cup of hot chocolate and talked until it was time to get ready. Today was the last day of camp. I took the boys out to one of the parking lots to gather rocks to hold down their umbrellas. Then they traced their constellation in the glow paint and set the umbrellas to dry. By the last two morning sessions, I could hardly move. Through out the week I had some slight sunburns. On Friday, my neck, arms and lower legs were covered in second and according to some, third degree burns. A couple of women from my ward put aloe vera on the burns, only to have me hiss in agony. Aloe works for cooling the skin. However, the application hurts like....(well you get the idea). So, Kate insists that I take the afternoon off. I didn't argue. So, I missed out on the potluck and awards ceremony, but, truth be known, I didn't give a hoot. I was covered in blisters, burns, and on the top of my hands were several bumps and sores. This was an allergic reaction to the sun and the latex in the paint. So, Kate and I pick up some lunch and we go to the house. I gingerly sit in an easy chair and watched a movie and ate my lunch and a big bowl of cherry vanilla ice cream. I also lied down for a while. That night, Kate and I go back to the park to go to the Astronomy party that Larry was hosting. I got to see Saturn, Mars, Jupiter and several constellations. I was like a kid at Christmas time. If any of you are acquainted with the hymn " How Great Thou Art", that went through my head several times. The experience was sooo awesome!

Now, it is Saturday. I slept on and off through the night and limped out of bed around nine. This afternoon, I am returning to Redmond to recoup and get ready for the week. Thanks for reading.

C-Ya!

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