4H camp

For several years the girls have gone to 4-H camp. They really have enjoyed it. If you are 13 before January then you can no longer be a camper and have to become a counselor. Autumn was a counselor for one year I think and liked it but decided not to after that because she had other things going on. This year Tymber had to be a counselor. I was worried because she is pretty hyper and I wasn't sure how she would do. She attended several meetings and an all day training plus I sent her to a overnight leadership training as well. She left Monday and was so excited and pretty hyper. I worried about her the whole time and really was hoping she would be okay and not drive everyone insane. I knew the adult leaders would watch her and if needed discipline her. I wasn't worried about her with the younger kids because she adores kids and they love her to. They go to Alpine Wyoming, where the 4H camp is, leaving Monday morning at 9 and returning Wed about 5. They stop on the way back at Heise and let the kids swim for several hours.

The bus hadn't dropped the kids off yet and I was getting her things together and the main leader came up to me and told me she was amazing. He told me when she first signed up all of the leaders were like oh boy this may be a problem. The teen counselors have so much more responsibility and do most of the activities with the campers. While the adult leaders are there to supervise overall, they want the kids to learn leadership skills, so most of the responsibility and activities are on the teen counselors. Plus the adult leaders are not allowed to sleep in the cabins with the campers only teen counselors are in cabins, with adults close by if needed. He told me the first little while she had a hard time getting in leadership mode and out of camper mode but it didn't take her long. He also told me they would defiantly love to have her back again in a heartbeat. I was so happy to hear this. She is maturing and doing so well I am so proud of her and her stepping up and taking a leadership role.

She did say the other counselors were kind of mean to her and generally ignored her when they were in their own little groups, except the girl she was paired with was nice to her. They put her with an experienced counselor who was 18 and it was her final year. I felt bad but she said she didn't take it personally. Most of the counselors have been there for several years and some go to school together and I am sure are friends outside of camp. She said she knew she was the youngest and it was okay. Next year there will be a few girls who will be 13 and old enough to counsel with her so she will feel more comfortable. Plus she won't be the newbie and will know what is expected. It is also hard to believe Hope will be old enough for camp next year.