Nita Nita

MANZANITA!

Cabin number nine baby!

During the past week, while I and 15 other leaders were at camp, we all got to meet an amazing group of students from Patterson Elem. and Willaims Elem. Our cabin groups were carefully selected by the Camp Campbell staff and placed into fourteen cabins. When I met my girls for the very first time, I knew that they were going to make my week amazing. They had smiling faces, and they were just exstatic to see me. They had many questions, and I hoped I could give them the right answers. As we sat in our cabin going over all of the rules, I quickly tried to remember all of their names...Eylie, Sahana, Vanessa, Miranda, Jecah, Mary, Andrea, Aga, Katherine, Adina, Lia, and Eliana. We went around the circle, talking about what we were looking forward to. We started off as strangers, and ended up closer than sisters. I felt a great deal of responsibility looking after those girls. They told me they were closer to me that Snowflake. I told them not to tell her that. ;] They were the little sisters I had always wanted, but my Mom told me she was too old to have. I miss them dearly. We went through an amazing week of laughter, secrets, tears, and memories. They introduced me to their school crushes, and asked me to get the phone numbers of the other leaders. They told me I should marry Moose. (Oh, and believe me I would ;]) On the night of the camp fire, I couldn't help but cry when they started singing Shooting Star. I turned to see every single one of my girls crying also, that only made me cry harder. We were so far away, but so close at the same time. When arrived back in our cabin, I told my girls to get ready for bed. They did as they were told, crying the entire time. About 5 minutes before I turned out the lights, my girls were getting into bed, and I said, "Ohh man, I shouldn't be crying! I didn't sign up for this, I'm just a volunteer!" One of my girls, Miranda replied with, "Well Raindrop, this trip has been the perfect example, that the best things in life, are free." I flicked off the switch, and thought about the insight and maturity it took for her to think of something that true. It is 100% true. I was completely and utterly shocked and proud. Before she got onto the bus, as she was walking past me, and giving me a hug goodbye, I said, "Remember Squirrel, the best things in life are free." She smiled and said, "I paid to come here, but I met you for free." It took everything I had to not start balling at that moment. Camp changed me. My kids changed me. I'm no longer a child. I'm an honest young adult. Who cannot swear any more!