Since I haven't updated in a million years...
So I made it to camp... a two day excursion totaling 15 hours instead of the seven estimated. We hit road construction, had to stay overnight in Bluefield, WVa at a skanky hotel with moldy cream cheese and smarmy construction dudes oggling at us, broke down on the side of the interstate on top of a 5% grade mountain where the semis that sped past almost inched the car forward, a trip in a tow truck to a garage that could fix Faith's car, a looong wait in a little town we still can't find on a map, a hail storm, traffic after a cement truck turned over, another hail storm- this one much worse, rush hour outside of Charlotte, and then finally a little girl flipping us off as her mother was exiting out of the "entrance only" way to the restaurant we were to meet the rest of the staff three hours before.
Being a counselor here in North Carolina has been an experience! First off this Christian summer camp is SUPPOSED to be ecumenical, meaning consisting of staff and campers from five Protestant denominations. But what this really means is 92% Baptist, 4% Methodist, 3% Presbyterian, and 1% Episcopal AND Lutheran. After two weeks of camp and over 500 campers plus 20 staff, I am the only representative of the Episcopal Church. It has been a real challenge. Some tears, some arguments, some time alone all by myself to deal with the overpowering force of raging evangelism, but I think people sort of get me now. I have learned alot so far.
As for being a counselor, it has been amazing! My mission site is a nursing home where I plan and do the activities for the residents whom I have grown to love. My first two weeks of campers have taken me aback by their outpouring of compassion for the elderly. The residents are a hoot... they believe I am between 12 and 14. I guess that's a compliment. They think it's adorable I have a boyfriend. "When are you getting married?" Whoa baby... such questions. I get hugs and kisses. I love it! Each Thursday though, in proper Passport tradition, my campers find me and throw the ceremonial water cooler contents on me. With the 90+ degree days, I can't complain much. This past Thursday, they went over the top, waiting until we got back to dump the cooler on me in the quad while all the rest of the campers circled around chanting! I love my campers!
The dance, rec parties, and variety shows have been so much fun. I get so competitive that I often times lose my voice after Monday night's rec party competition. The dance is always a blast. Gotta make sure there's no booty-dancing since this IS a Christian camp, but I get to dress up each Tuesday which is fun.
This past week's campers have been quite memorable. The boys taught me about the universal boy game "ball ball" or "the nuts game." By the end of the week, six of my campers had come down with the stomach virus that devastated the whole camp. AND then one of my campers received a concussion and a neck sprain while doing a flip in the Moonwalk that I was operating at our Wednesday festival. I haven't had first aid training in awhile, so I panicked although, thankfully, no one could tell.
I get to sing, dance, dress up in funny costumes, and just act crazy and I love it! I am part of the interpretative movement dance we do. You would laugh, you all would so laugh. The only part I am still uncomfortable with is the invitation. Thankfully, all of my campers have asked for prayers. I have no idea yet how I will deal with someone who has been "saved."
But I have to grab some lunch and enjoy my only full day off. Alan is coming to visit me in 13 days. He may be my only visitor if my parents can't make it. If near Charlotte, you have to see me!!! As for now, send me mail, a postcard, anything! Here's my summer address:
Katie Braun PASSPORT staff Wingate University PO Box 2676 Wingate, NC 28174
Being a counselor here in North Carolina has been an experience! First off this Christian summer camp is SUPPOSED to be ecumenical, meaning consisting of staff and campers from five Protestant denominations. But what this really means is 92% Baptist, 4% Methodist, 3% Presbyterian, and 1% Episcopal AND Lutheran. After two weeks of camp and over 500 campers plus 20 staff, I am the only representative of the Episcopal Church. It has been a real challenge. Some tears, some arguments, some time alone all by myself to deal with the overpowering force of raging evangelism, but I think people sort of get me now. I have learned alot so far.
As for being a counselor, it has been amazing! My mission site is a nursing home where I plan and do the activities for the residents whom I have grown to love. My first two weeks of campers have taken me aback by their outpouring of compassion for the elderly. The residents are a hoot... they believe I am between 12 and 14. I guess that's a compliment. They think it's adorable I have a boyfriend. "When are you getting married?" Whoa baby... such questions. I get hugs and kisses. I love it! Each Thursday though, in proper Passport tradition, my campers find me and throw the ceremonial water cooler contents on me. With the 90+ degree days, I can't complain much. This past Thursday, they went over the top, waiting until we got back to dump the cooler on me in the quad while all the rest of the campers circled around chanting! I love my campers!
The dance, rec parties, and variety shows have been so much fun. I get so competitive that I often times lose my voice after Monday night's rec party competition. The dance is always a blast. Gotta make sure there's no booty-dancing since this IS a Christian camp, but I get to dress up each Tuesday which is fun.
This past week's campers have been quite memorable. The boys taught me about the universal boy game "ball ball" or "the nuts game." By the end of the week, six of my campers had come down with the stomach virus that devastated the whole camp. AND then one of my campers received a concussion and a neck sprain while doing a flip in the Moonwalk that I was operating at our Wednesday festival. I haven't had first aid training in awhile, so I panicked although, thankfully, no one could tell.
I get to sing, dance, dress up in funny costumes, and just act crazy and I love it! I am part of the interpretative movement dance we do. You would laugh, you all would so laugh. The only part I am still uncomfortable with is the invitation. Thankfully, all of my campers have asked for prayers. I have no idea yet how I will deal with someone who has been "saved."
But I have to grab some lunch and enjoy my only full day off. Alan is coming to visit me in 13 days. He may be my only visitor if my parents can't make it. If near Charlotte, you have to see me!!! As for now, send me mail, a postcard, anything! Here's my summer address:
Katie Braun PASSPORT staff Wingate University PO Box 2676 Wingate, NC 28174