Friday, Friday, Friday!
The day began slowly and accelerated steadily until I just crashed. (more on that later)
Breakfast and such things happened at their allotted time but This day was slightly different so I was able to help serve breakfast (after quickly consuming a few biscuits myself). It was a good time and I was happy to be able to see the whole camp in that way, I've long said that If they could spare me at horses I'd be happy elsewhere and days like today reminded me of that. (not to say i'm not happy where I'm at)
The morning led into the normal cabin/camp cleaning frenzy but I managed to avoid that entirely by taking the two campers who hadn't ridden out on a quick trail ride. We had a chance to do some trotting and covered more ground than we normally do. It was a great time for us wranglers and the girls had fun helping saddle and unsaddle their own horses.
lunch was mac and cheese with hot dogs, a meal I have a soft spot in my heart for (and a soft layer around my belly because of) but it's always a 'the end is nigh' sort of moment when that meal happens. After lunch was a few all camp activities (ice cream ultimate, and the same water game we played during high school camp, minus the forts) The kids had a blast but I was so tired that I could barely walk... and thus I took a much needed nap. (my first all summer) until it was time for court.
Late afternoon the kids (and staff) participated in kangaroo court. The idea is simple, staff and campers are brought up on charges ranging from "conspiracy to dunk everyone at lake day" to "having too cheerful of a smile all the time" and so on and so forth. Punishments were meted out and were typically entertaining and slightly embarrassing. (although the good ones such as being too kind and whatnot were met with punishments such as being first in line for lunch etc.) It was a good time and seemed to be mostly well received.
Dinner happened (nachos) and the kids went their way... regular camp cleaning happened and thennn...here we be. We're watching thor on the projector and everyone is solidly into their detox and recuperate routines. Prepping for sunday when we do it all over again.
-Nick
Friday, August 3, 2012
Day 51, of lakes and boats (again)
Thursday, was a great day. We headed into town immediately after breakfast with our pontoon crew and hitched up to the boat, After doing our safety checks we strapped the boat down correctly and then continued on to the lake.
Upon our arrival I was happy to see the same kiosk person there and we had a very brief and enjoyable conversation on the way into the park. We put the pontoon into the water with very little difficulty and shortly after that noticed that one of the skids on the trailer (the things the boat sits on top of) was mostly floating. Not a huge deal but it was a bit nerve-wracking since one of the other 4 was already attached with baling twine and good intentions. By the time we pulled the trailer around to where we parked it we found that we were down to 1 skid that was attached properly and 3 that needed assistance. The moral of the story is that we need to fix our trailer (something I've been assured will be happening soon)
Despite the typical frustration of being on setup crew, lake day was a success. The kids had a great time and the staff was very involved and energetic all the way until we loaded the buses. I limped the trailer back to the church and was happy to leave it there and drive the rest of the way home with just a suburban to worry about.
The evening brought us an infusion of berry labor and the wonderful conversation that comes whenever jon, adam, and myself are in close proximity. I am not ashamed to say that I was up a bit late recharging my intellectual batteries chatting with those two men. I did manage to get into bed before friday arrived, but as you're aware the blog posts were scarce this week.
-Nick
Upon our arrival I was happy to see the same kiosk person there and we had a very brief and enjoyable conversation on the way into the park. We put the pontoon into the water with very little difficulty and shortly after that noticed that one of the skids on the trailer (the things the boat sits on top of) was mostly floating. Not a huge deal but it was a bit nerve-wracking since one of the other 4 was already attached with baling twine and good intentions. By the time we pulled the trailer around to where we parked it we found that we were down to 1 skid that was attached properly and 3 that needed assistance. The moral of the story is that we need to fix our trailer (something I've been assured will be happening soon)
Despite the typical frustration of being on setup crew, lake day was a success. The kids had a great time and the staff was very involved and energetic all the way until we loaded the buses. I limped the trailer back to the church and was happy to leave it there and drive the rest of the way home with just a suburban to worry about.
The evening brought us an infusion of berry labor and the wonderful conversation that comes whenever jon, adam, and myself are in close proximity. I am not ashamed to say that I was up a bit late recharging my intellectual batteries chatting with those two men. I did manage to get into bed before friday arrived, but as you're aware the blog posts were scarce this week.
-Nick
Day 50. Of many rides and surprisingly on time schedules.
Wednesday, unlike a typical week was a day of activities. We took 3 rides out over the course of the day (one in the morning, two in the afternoon). They all went well and the biggest "excitement" came when we had a horse decide that he'd rather lay down than be ridden further, the rider hopped off and then once the horse got back up we continued on and had a great ride. Although I did have to award another trophy can of dew to him as a consolation for a horse issue.
The sunburn that I started aquiring on tuesday was in fine form by wednesday night... turns out when I'm running around so hard I forget entirely to put sunscreen on. Downside is that it was that kind of week to this point, the upside to that is this was the first week I was that exhausted and busy.
The younger crew I had this week really shone today, monday and tuesday we had a few difficulties staying on schedule because I was trying to teach and train while fixing issues and that strategy really paid off today. We were so on time that even after an hour+ in the saddle we were still back with 10 minutes to spare so we got horses watered and were ready to rock and roll by the next rides. I still wasn't on time for supper... but at least I got to eat while others were still in the dining room as opposed to the 'typical' timetable this week.
Despite or perhaps because of this I was exhausted by the time night games rolled around and I was pretty happy to get to bed in a pseudo timely manner to prep for lake day...
-Nick
The sunburn that I started aquiring on tuesday was in fine form by wednesday night... turns out when I'm running around so hard I forget entirely to put sunscreen on. Downside is that it was that kind of week to this point, the upside to that is this was the first week I was that exhausted and busy.
The younger crew I had this week really shone today, monday and tuesday we had a few difficulties staying on schedule because I was trying to teach and train while fixing issues and that strategy really paid off today. We were so on time that even after an hour+ in the saddle we were still back with 10 minutes to spare so we got horses watered and were ready to rock and roll by the next rides. I still wasn't on time for supper... but at least I got to eat while others were still in the dining room as opposed to the 'typical' timetable this week.
Despite or perhaps because of this I was exhausted by the time night games rolled around and I was pretty happy to get to bed in a pseudo timely manner to prep for lake day...
-Nick
Wednesday, August 1, 2012
Day 49. In which momentum began... and the water returned!
Tuesday! (I'm a bit behind but catching up)
Tuesday was a day that happened an eternity ago... It began as most days do, rolling out of bed, trying not to land on my face, zombie walking myself to the coffee and then trying to find the others who I should be meeting with so the day can begin. (forget apollo and his chariot, the day does not begin until adam leaves his camper)
Thus began this day, and followed breakfast, saddling, and so on and so forth. And when it came to pass that the saddling was complete the all camp activities began. And so it was that the over-under (a game where a sponge is used to transfer water from one bucket to another by passing it over your head or under your legs) was supervised and all of the childrens (except one) participated. And thusly was it good to see the sponges dribble upon the campers despite the anger of the alice burning against the one. And thusly did the princesses triumph at the over under over all the other miscreants in the land, and there was much rejoicing. It also happened that the chief princess did a happy dance. And at this time it was good for lunch to occur and it was so. The lunchen was consumed and the time to ride began. And the time to ride did complete just in time for the time to ride to begin again. And the head wrangler did say "I may have not applied enough sunscreen this aft". And there was no rejoicing. And all the childrens didst stay upon their horses for the duration of the ride, and the wranglers rejoiced and slew the wild supper to celebrate.
Well that was fun :)
the evening schedule completed as normal but this week I've not been particularly good about attending anything after our staff meeting, I'd like to dismiss that as a side effect of fatigue but it might also be contributed to by my own laziness. However because of my not attending things that I wasn't required to be at I also had the wonderful opportunity to talk with the anglican contingent here at camp. (we've got an anglican priest and an aspiring anglican priest amongst us, they're both great men and it was good to talk for a while)
umm.... I think that's it. hopefully this will get me in the neighborhood of being caught up so that my posts will be more complete and relevant (at least to my rabid fans)
-Nick
p.s. you don't know it yet but I got sunburned pretty bad on day 50... pray for that por favor.
Tuesday was a day that happened an eternity ago... It began as most days do, rolling out of bed, trying not to land on my face, zombie walking myself to the coffee and then trying to find the others who I should be meeting with so the day can begin. (forget apollo and his chariot, the day does not begin until adam leaves his camper)
Thus began this day, and followed breakfast, saddling, and so on and so forth. And when it came to pass that the saddling was complete the all camp activities began. And so it was that the over-under (a game where a sponge is used to transfer water from one bucket to another by passing it over your head or under your legs) was supervised and all of the childrens (except one) participated. And thusly was it good to see the sponges dribble upon the campers despite the anger of the alice burning against the one. And thusly did the princesses triumph at the over under over all the other miscreants in the land, and there was much rejoicing. It also happened that the chief princess did a happy dance. And at this time it was good for lunch to occur and it was so. The lunchen was consumed and the time to ride began. And the time to ride did complete just in time for the time to ride to begin again. And the head wrangler did say "I may have not applied enough sunscreen this aft". And there was no rejoicing. And all the childrens didst stay upon their horses for the duration of the ride, and the wranglers rejoiced and slew the wild supper to celebrate.
Well that was fun :)
the evening schedule completed as normal but this week I've not been particularly good about attending anything after our staff meeting, I'd like to dismiss that as a side effect of fatigue but it might also be contributed to by my own laziness. However because of my not attending things that I wasn't required to be at I also had the wonderful opportunity to talk with the anglican contingent here at camp. (we've got an anglican priest and an aspiring anglican priest amongst us, they're both great men and it was good to talk for a while)
umm.... I think that's it. hopefully this will get me in the neighborhood of being caught up so that my posts will be more complete and relevant (at least to my rabid fans)
-Nick
p.s. you don't know it yet but I got sunburned pretty bad on day 50... pray for that por favor.
Day 48. In which the water stopped...
I'm really not sure how long I'll have to finish this before breakfast so I'll try to be quick. I'm a day behind... but that's what it is.
Monday began as most camp sessions do, with some training and then the arrival of the kids. This lead into lunch, then a group activity, then a horseback ride (best ride of the year), then supper (I was late :[ ), then the typical evening roster (evening games, chapel, night games, snack, and campfire).
This week I've got a very young crew compared to what I typically have, the oldest (other than me) is 16. While this is strange to me now it was the sort of crew that I came up in, but It also makes for a slightly different dynamic when people aren't trained and need to be double checked a little bit. I won't go into terrible detail because I don't have a lot of time but I'd appreciate your prayers that I'm a good teacher this week, and that I'm a patient authority so that we not only get the job done but that we can be a better team by the end of the week.
Another curve ball that we had on monday was that our well pump stopped working. That means no running water. No showers, no magic refilling horse tank, no refilling your water bottle with cold water... etc. By now (wed morning) it has been fixed and we're back to normal but for about 24 hours we were hauling water or not using it. Grace was very apparent among many people here (can you tell that the theme was appropriate this week?) but it was also a trying time.
And with that I must be off. I'll try to post day 49 tonight, and then be back on schedule tomorrow morning.(I might have actually lost the notebook with the rest of the lost journals... but hopefully I'll get those up too)
As always if you're reading this, I like you. If you read this and decide to pray for us here at camp... I love you. I'm very glad I don't do this in a vacuum and God has been working in a mighty way, this is not to glorify or celebrate me... it's to point to Him and what HE has done.
May God Bless you all.
Nick
Monday began as most camp sessions do, with some training and then the arrival of the kids. This lead into lunch, then a group activity, then a horseback ride (best ride of the year), then supper (I was late :[ ), then the typical evening roster (evening games, chapel, night games, snack, and campfire).
This week I've got a very young crew compared to what I typically have, the oldest (other than me) is 16. While this is strange to me now it was the sort of crew that I came up in, but It also makes for a slightly different dynamic when people aren't trained and need to be double checked a little bit. I won't go into terrible detail because I don't have a lot of time but I'd appreciate your prayers that I'm a good teacher this week, and that I'm a patient authority so that we not only get the job done but that we can be a better team by the end of the week.
Another curve ball that we had on monday was that our well pump stopped working. That means no running water. No showers, no magic refilling horse tank, no refilling your water bottle with cold water... etc. By now (wed morning) it has been fixed and we're back to normal but for about 24 hours we were hauling water or not using it. Grace was very apparent among many people here (can you tell that the theme was appropriate this week?) but it was also a trying time.
And with that I must be off. I'll try to post day 49 tonight, and then be back on schedule tomorrow morning.(I might have actually lost the notebook with the rest of the lost journals... but hopefully I'll get those up too)
As always if you're reading this, I like you. If you read this and decide to pray for us here at camp... I love you. I'm very glad I don't do this in a vacuum and God has been working in a mighty way, this is not to glorify or celebrate me... it's to point to Him and what HE has done.
May God Bless you all.
Nick
Monday, July 30, 2012
Day 47. New beginnings, and (hopefully) gracious endings.
Today I had the privilege of attending father tom's church in Casper, it was a very encouraging time and I have yet to walk away from that place without a sense of peace and without being encouraged.
I also packed up my stuff and left 'home' behind again... the apartment I've been in was fantastic and I really needed the downtime. I'm tremendously grateful for the last few days but it's time to return to Rimrock and finish the marathon we began 47 days ago.
We grouped up in the parking lot of a local church in Casper and after juggling stuff and seating assignments all of the vehicles headed out to camp. I am also happy to report that all of them arrived in a timely manner and without any incidents.
We arrived at camp, and training began for the new week... for the weekly volunteers it's a bit of an orientation, for the summer long staff it's a reminder of a few things and tells us what might be different about that particular week. We were reminded of the privilege of doing this for two more weeks, and then that window closes for another year... two weeks, a tough haul but also a blink of the eye. Pray that we finish well.
I've also got two last thoughts, first is our theme this week. Unlike many other camps ACK camps have a weekly director that writes unique curriculum for their week. This was instituted as a means to utilize more volunteers and as a way to insure that the program does not become stale or predictable to the staff by this time in the summer. This tradition is somewhat chaotic at times but it also helps staff growth. This week is no exception, The theme we have is amazing grace. We've been encouraged to practice and encourage grace and while this should be a good experience it also strikes me in the same vein as praying for patience... prayers in this would be appreciated.
annd... now i'm out of time so I'll talk about the other thing later.
-Nick
I also packed up my stuff and left 'home' behind again... the apartment I've been in was fantastic and I really needed the downtime. I'm tremendously grateful for the last few days but it's time to return to Rimrock and finish the marathon we began 47 days ago.
We grouped up in the parking lot of a local church in Casper and after juggling stuff and seating assignments all of the vehicles headed out to camp. I am also happy to report that all of them arrived in a timely manner and without any incidents.
We arrived at camp, and training began for the new week... for the weekly volunteers it's a bit of an orientation, for the summer long staff it's a reminder of a few things and tells us what might be different about that particular week. We were reminded of the privilege of doing this for two more weeks, and then that window closes for another year... two weeks, a tough haul but also a blink of the eye. Pray that we finish well.
I've also got two last thoughts, first is our theme this week. Unlike many other camps ACK camps have a weekly director that writes unique curriculum for their week. This was instituted as a means to utilize more volunteers and as a way to insure that the program does not become stale or predictable to the staff by this time in the summer. This tradition is somewhat chaotic at times but it also helps staff growth. This week is no exception, The theme we have is amazing grace. We've been encouraged to practice and encourage grace and while this should be a good experience it also strikes me in the same vein as praying for patience... prayers in this would be appreciated.
annd... now i'm out of time so I'll talk about the other thing later.
-Nick
Sunday, July 29, 2012
Day 46. Of down time and recouperation
Today was an incredible day. I was graciously given the opportunity to stay in casper and have some down time. So i did!
I did a whole lot of nothing, ate lunch with some dear friends, went to brave (Great movie!) and read a fair bit of my book. oh yeah... I suppose I did tag along for a few errands and got to drive ye olde clunker van (poor chadmoe) for a few minutes, but even those moments did not feel like work.
It was quite restorative. Now it's off to church in the morning, then back to camp for weekly staff training with all the weekly volunteers. I'm excited but the last two weeks are always difficult to manage gracefully... Keep me in your prayers por favor.
-Nick
I did a whole lot of nothing, ate lunch with some dear friends, went to brave (Great movie!) and read a fair bit of my book. oh yeah... I suppose I did tag along for a few errands and got to drive ye olde clunker van (poor chadmoe) for a few minutes, but even those moments did not feel like work.
It was quite restorative. Now it's off to church in the morning, then back to camp for weekly staff training with all the weekly volunteers. I'm excited but the last two weeks are always difficult to manage gracefully... Keep me in your prayers por favor.
-Nick
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