One of the secrets about teaching is our summers. Most everyone knows that teachers get 3 (really 2) months off to recuperate from the previous 10 months of dealing with all things teacher. What they don't know is that there are many opportunities to travel for free or close to free for us teachers. It typically consists of a "class" of some sort. The past few years I have traveled out west three times, central America once and to the south once. The "class" usually consists of a lot of morning and afternoon stuff dealing with science where we get to hike around and see thing we are studying about. Later in the night, after a dinner provided by the class, we hang out at the local bar while drinking many cervesa (sp?) {read beer}. When I went to central America I stayed at some of the best resorts, played in the ocean and saw some things that few people ever get to. All while earning 6 credit hours from a local university.
So that brings me to the reason for this post. How I will spend my 2006 summer. I have been looking around and can't find anything I want to do. So I am flirting with the idea of returning to summer camp. Not as a camper, but an employee. For all you summer camp virgins, it is amazing. I have always thought if the summer camp spirit could somehow be relocated in school, most, if not all, of the problems would disappear. I have never been a part of a more supportive and carrying environment in my life.
I have given myself to the end of the year to make a decision about whether to apply or not. It has been on my mind a lot lately. The thing is I have a history with the camp that I would most likely apply at. It is a fantastic camp. I would send my child there, well if I had a child and the money (it is quite expensive). I worked at the camp for two summer. Two great summers, mostly. My second summer my position was changed a few weeks into the season. I was moved from a cabin counselor to programming (planning all things camp). I wasn't happy with the move but I did my best to do a good job. The camp was very happy with my performance in my new position and I enjoyed watching my cabin of kids continue in their problems (something I admit I shouldn't have enjoyed, but at the time it was vindication in my mind). So with my upcoming summer free I could return to camp. I was thinking about my motives today. I would enjoy being part of the community, the kids, the traveling, the new experiences... But most of all I think I want to go to say I made up for my less the than spectacular performance last time. This concerns me. Also a big concern is working with 200 people that are mostly younger (college age) than me and trying to make new friends. I am a very slow friend maker. Camp goes fast. A day is like a week. I could see myself with no one to hang out with.
So I have a week to decide. Things will work out. I would love to go, but I don't know if I want to put the energy into it.
Looking ahead to summer with Wonder...
Kevin
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