Week 2 of Staff Training

The time here fells like it is flying by. This was another crazy week of staff training and we did it at the Lummi Indiana Reservation due to another camp renting out our site. The week was filled with more games and getting to know each other. We planned for our Bible Encounters which is an hour we will have each day to teach kids the theme of the day and play games and read the bible.

This was on Tuesday. We went to the Beach and played Eagle's Nest which is similar to capture the flag. Then we practiced skits that we may possibly do at campfire. Isn't it beautiful?

On Saturday Night we had a talent show so I was Saylor Twift and played "Yellow" by Coldplay on the guitar. It was the first time I played for a live audience singing and playing.

On Thursday we had a people scavenger hunt in Fairhaven. We had two find 12 people who continued to move around and get their signature. We didn't win but 111 sure had a great time trying to.

On Sunday night we went to one of the staff's graduation party and had a campfire for the party guests. We then found this hamburger on our way home and all ran on to private property to get a picture with it. "It's all about the journey getting there; not the destination."


We've done too much this week to name every single thing but I'll give some highlights:

1.) Going to Camano Island with Izza and Cookie Monster

2.) 111 room chats

3.) Wrestling each other during a staff game

4.) Cutting my hair off (Yes I cut off 8 inches)

5.) Bonding with every one even more

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Week one of Staff Training

Okay I have a lot to say and very little time so here it goes.

Friday: I painted signs for our luau, we went to the mall, and played lots of cards.

Saturday: I got to sleep in, played some more cards, set up a bunch of tents so they could air out, and we had our first campfire.

Sunday: We went to a lutheran church and let's just say it was interesting. It kind of felt like Catholic mass and nothing I could find myself going to on a regular basis. Then we went to lunch at a Mexican burrito place and ate huge burritos. Then we came back and I had my first swim in Lake Samish. It was freezing, but fun. Then all the other staff arrived at 4 and we played lots of get to know you games.

Monday: We did a camp tour, vespers-a calming biblical aspect of the day, learned about lutherwood's history, and I got homesick because I was tired and wanted to sleep in my own bed. And I was annoyed that everyones parents kept showing up at camp.

Tuesday: We had to do low and high ropes course. Low was easy, but high was hard for me since I don't like heights. I made it to the tires on the vertical playpin and then opted to come down because I was scared. Pretty good, if I say so myself. We did some more stuff but once again I can't remember.

Wednesday: We practed stranger danger scenerio. One of the staffers went missing and we had to practice what we would do to find him. I also got to try on a police uniform and I think I looked pretty legit. I'll post a picture on facebook eventually. We also practiced canoe tipping and it was hard. My arms were so tired from climbing the rock wall I couldn't pull myself into the boat. We played some more games and I sang at Campfire. We also made out own campfires. Yes, I made a campfire.

Thursday: We set up upper OAP for campers to camp in. Then we took a backpack training class which was cool but also boring. We went over cleaning 101 and then I shared part of my testimony at vespers. Then we played pictionary in our houses. I was sorted into the Slytherin house.

Friday: Slytherin led morning watch so I lead a song and participated in a skit. We then had a lot of talking sessions about rules (Boring!). Then we spent the night camping out. Dinner was interesting to say that least and then we actually left at 3:30 in the morning because our covering was leaking and getting us all wet.

I'm loving camp and all the people I'm meeting. My camp name is Indy which I actually like. Okay I have to call my mother before she gets mad at me! Pin It

Bellingham: Day 5 and 6

I am still loving Washington. I can't help but just observe everything because it is so different from Indiana. I love waking up to mountains surrounding me and seeing the beautiful lake shimmering. The weather I enjoy, but I'll be honest I am missing a little bit of the Indiana heat. It's been a little chilly here the last two days, but I wouldn't trade it for humidity. We have been working hard the last two days at camp.

On Tuesday we cleaned the girls side of camp. Yes I cleaned. Then we worked on Staff Manuals for the rest of the day (about 4 hours) and still didn't finish them. After work, I skyped with my family and then we went to a past counselor's house and played a game called Killer Bunnies. It was confusing at first, but I ended up loving it and want to play it again. Then Vespa and I came back to the apartment and play Rachel Rummy (Raquel or Rocky Rummy).

Wednesday Luigi and Vespa had to work the ropes course so I spent my day working on Staff Manuals again and finally finished them around 3. So in all, those stinking manuals took about 9 hours. A little ridiculous, but I'm glad they are done. We also made a sign for one of the counselor's flying in from Australia since we are picking him up at the airport today. Then we grabbed some dinner and played some guitar and met another new counselor (Patrick). We played a couple rounds of bocce ball and then I taught them how to play Euchre and they beat me for being newbies.

Each day is different and exciting and I'm starting to come out of the shell I put myself in the first couple of days. I don't think I realize I was going to be gone from home for a long period of time and I finally realized that when I was here so I closed up a little bit, but luckily I'm coming out of it now. Hopefully, I can take some more pics later but I just keep forgetting to take my camera with me. Pin It

Bellingham: Day 3 and 4

These last two days have been very busy. I left Seattle yesterday to head to Bellingham and Camp Lutherwood. I met some staff and played a cool new game called Ticket to Ride. Today I woke up and went to my favorite spot at camp, Spirit Cabin. I did my devotional and wrote some letters to friends. Two assistant directors and I painted two boy cabins. Surprisingly, I enjoyed it. Makes me wonder what else I could do with painting. After we finished (5 hours later), we played some guitar and then grabbed some dinner. I am loving Washington and am excited to see what the next 11 weeks have in store for me.

(This was my view this morning during my devotional time. BEAUTIFUL!)


(These chairs are awesome! They are like hammocks, but better. I want one so bad.)

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Seattle: Day 2

Today was a very busy day. We were out all day, but it was beautiful. It was one of the warmest days Seattle has had in a year. I made a visit to the original Starbucks did not actually get a drink from this one because the line was out the door so I settled for having a Java Chip Frappucino (my first in 6 months) at another one.


We walked around the Public Market and I bought some jewelry and a t-shirt. We also had some of the best Macaroni and Cheese from Beecher's. After walking the market, we spent some time downtown shopping. We went to a 3 story Forever 21. Completely awesome, but completely overwhelming. I needed a whole day just to search through everything. From downtown, we went and picked up Ashlee's friend Morgan and grabbed a snack to eat at the Gas works which is a park located in Freemont. It was hilly and beautiful. I got to catch up with my old youth leader and played some croquet. Oh, and I also got a very nice red tan!

(This is where they throw the fish to each other in the Public Market. I saw video's about this market while I was applying for camps in Washington and took it as a sign to go to Washington. The guys are very outgoing and funny!)

Ash and I grabbed some fish and chips after hanging out at the park and then went to pick up her friend Jari to see "Midnight in Paris" at the movie theater. The theater was old school and fit a ton of people, but they were only showing this movie. It was okay, but not one I would see again. After the movie, we booked it over to Target, a 2 story Target! I was in love and wished I could have had more time to spend in there. They even had their own parking garage for their customers. Crazy!

I'm leaving to head to Bellingham in a couple of hours and then I will officially be at the camp until August 20th!

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Washington: Day 1

I am finally in Washington, actually I have been here for a couple of hours now, but I'm here! Before I even got off the plane, I could tell I would love this place. Flying in I saw the mountains covered in snow. It's June and there is snow! I seriously think I might be in heaven.

Ashlee picked me up from the airport and we went and dropped my three bags off and then set off to hang with some of her friends. First we stopped at Maggie Moo's and got some ice cream and it was delicious. I got Theo Chocolate and it was delicious. Not like any chocolate ice cream I have ever had before. We then walked over to this park and hung out with her friends Ryan and Dan as they played Frisbee.

From the park we went and picked up Collette and went and saw the lookout from Kerry Park and then I had my first Thai dinner ever.

After dinner we went to beach and it was beautiful. The mountains are beautiful and stunning. I also had my first bubble tea experience which was interesting. Not sure if it's my favorite, but I'm loving all the new experiences!

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