CJL - Bat-tastic

Last night after our final banquet, awards ceremony, and baby boats of the summer, we finally got in bed. And not five minutes later did some large creature hit my ear. So I shot out of the bed (after a few choice words) to try and see what it was. No luck, so I tucked myself back in. And then I spotted a white-ish, rather large creature flying around the cabin. It was a bat! And Angela's cat, Newman, went ballistic!

So we did what any other self-respecting CIT moms would do- we screamed for our CITs to come and save us. (We could not open the door because Newman is not allowed outside. And I didn't want to leave the "safety" of my bed.) After a few minutes of us yelling "CITs, come help!" interspersed with hysterical laughing, our brave 2nd year Cintern busted through the door with a broom. (That's a CJL girl in true form!) And after more hysterics and swatting at the thing, the bat finally left.

For whatever reason, it seemed very fitting that such shenanigans would happen on our last night. Honestly, moments like those are one of my favorite things about CJL. Some of my most salient memories are the craziest- things that would never happen in the "real world," that produce good laughs.

This morning our last group of campers leaves, and tonight is our staff banquet. This summer really is over, and I can't believe it. CJL means more to me than I can express, and I am so grateful to the people here who make it what it is and to the Lord for allowing me to be part of it.

CJL - Wrapping Up

One week left here in the woods.

All of our CITs have completed their requirements and either graduated and are ready to be staff members or are ready to move on to the second year of the program. There were a few hiccups along the way, but a number of them really blossomed and emerged as leaders. I am so very proud of all their hard work.

It was difficult at times to let them lead the way and make mistakes, but in doing so I believe that I've had a tiny taste of parenthood. (They do call us the "CIT Mom's," after all.)

Five of them are staying to intern, or "cintern," as we say. And two of them have been hired for the upcoming "Gypsy Week" session that begins tomorrow. In short, Gypsy Week means thirty eight 7-9 year olds descending upon CJL. And anything is bound to happen.

In other news, I co-hosted the talent show last night with our program director, Kellly. She rocked a red leotard, and I dressed as a lion. A special shout-out to Liz Hilliker for lending me the lion's mane and tail!

CJL - Opening Song

Every session each unit writes and performs an opening song. I think that ours (Olympus, that is) was quite excellent this time, so here are the sweet-action lyrics. To the tune of "I Can't Fight This Feeling Anymore" by REO Speedwagon:

We can’t fight this feeling any longer

Olympus is a place you never go

We started out as campers, now we’re older

Char wishes that the Gypsies would just show

Meredith wants to stay at the barn forever

Snakes give Page a reason to feel fear

You’ll feel real country when you’re with Heather

Nancy gives our life direction, she makes everything so clear

And even in the office, we’re keeping you in sight

Fran’s a candle on a baby boat on a humid summer’s night

Angela’s in the ER with CITs all (through) night

We can’t fight this feeling anymore

We’ve forgotten what the AC is for

Becca brings the canoes into the shore

And sails without an oar, so clever

No, we can’t fight this feeling anymore

We’ve forgotten what cell phones are for

Sarah Kody’s rolling on the floor

Scooter crashes through the door

Amy, we can’t fight this crazy anymore

Regina has been crafting real hard core since she got here

Kelly’s running around in circles all the time

Katie always seems to buddy check you girls

Trish discovers tiny trash that alone you’d never find

And even as Mayne wanders, Sarah Beth keeps her in sight

We’ll keep you entertained on this coming Tuesday night

And August is getting closer much faster than we would like

And we can’t fight this feeling any more

We’ve forgotten what perfume is for

We all smell like the great outdoors

Those darn van checks take forever

No, we can’t fight this feeling anymore

We’ve forgotten what the mirror is for

And if a toilet clogs once more

We will lash the bathroom doors

Campers, we can’t fight the septic tanks no more

CJL - Overnight

Our girls (CITs) made it through one of their biggest tests/challenges: the "unsupervised" overnight. We camped out at Sewanee (Univ. of the South), but I cannot say that it went down without a hitch.

Halfway there, my co-director and I realized that we had left the girls' medicine, but luckily, someone was able to bring it to us. And in the midst of unpacking the vans, one of our Coleman lanterns hit the ground, and the hurricane shattered into a million pieces. Then later that night, there was a snake in the girls' sleeping area. And in the midst of moving their things, one girl was stung by a wasp, and another dislocated her shoulder, resulting in a midnight trip to the hospital. Our fearless director drove up and retrieved her and brought her back to camp. And around 3am, a giant tree branch fell about two feet from our tent; had it hit us directly, I believe I would currently be wearing a cast and sporting a number of bruises and cuts. Needless to say, we didn't sleep well.

It was a night for the books! Even with all of the craziness and challenges of being a CIT mom, I am absolutely loving my position. It's still an adjustment from my previous experiences with younger girls. It's difficult to let them make mistakes when I could so easily just do things for them. But maybe that's a bit what it's like to be a parent.

CJL - Grateful

We're halfway through fourth session, and it's going swimmingly! I absolutely love being with the CITs; however, it's a significant adjustment compared to my experience as a UL with the munchkins in Romany. With the little ones, we have to do so much for them, but the CITs are self-sufficient. My counterpart and I told them that we are "available but not always present." So far, they've really proved themselves to be responsible and reliable!

As I made my way up the dark path to the office just a few minutes ago, I could hear the Oakledge girls singing to the right and another unit hollering and having fun on the playing field over toward the left. It is truly those sounds of joy and fun that make camp what it is. Those unexplainable moments that stick with me and make me so so grateful that the Lord led me to this place when I was just eight years old!

CJL - 3rd Session Recap

We are officially halfway through! Three sessions/four weeks behind us and two sessions/four weeks to go. 

A quick recap of this past session: coyotes running around at night freaking people out; a nasty stomach bug that infected all four units and overloaded the infirmary; CIT interns being amazing; me teaching tennis, archery, and water fun; and the usual fun and craziness that is a one-week session. 

Beginning tomorrow, I am one of the CIT program directors, and I am so excited because it's a position I've coveted for quite some time. More to come...