The past month...

Sorry it has been so long! I would like to say that things have just been so crazy, but it doesn't actually feel like it. It just feels like I didn't really want to be on the computer when I had so many other better offers. :) I think any of you could understand that! hehe.

   Anywho, I have finally taken the time to upload my pictures from my camera to my new laptop (so much quicker and easier than my old one!), so I thought I would share them with you. They are in no particular order, but I think they kind of highlight some of the things I have been up to the last month or so.

So we planted a garden. It was quite the adventure because those of us that had to get the stuff and plant it hadn't necessarily planted a garden before
          :)
Anyway, it turned out great and is currently getting watered constantly because it hasn't stopped raining for a couple of days! We've got things growing like yellow, red, and green peppers, watermelon, cantelope, eggplant, cabbage, tomatoes, and potatoes (there are many more, but I can't think of them right now).

We also had a sleepover a couple weekends ago. It was for any kids that had been through the program already and graduated. They came to camp on Friday night, then left on Saturday evening.

It was so much fun because the girls knew how to act and they were just there to have fun. The weather was great as well. Our girls did fun things like go on a Nature Hike, drew on the sidewalk with chalk, played tons of games, and did Mud Facials (hence the picture of me below- one of the girls drew the mustache and soul patch on me). I would love to put some pictures up of the girls, but its a safety thing.

All of the kids seemed to have a wonderful time and I think that it was a good chance for us counselors to see what the summer months with kids has to offer.

Lastly, all of us staff went to the MidSouth AEE (Association of Experiential Educators) Conference in Pottsboro, TX. It was an adventure to say the least. About a mile into Texas we blew a tire, then when we got to the campsite we set up camp- only to take it all down the next morning because of a possible tornado, then we got to meet former President Bill Clinton at the Dedication of his birthplace home as a National Historic Site.

Anyway, the pic above to the right is of some of the group, including our two Program Directors. To the left below is a picture of the workshop we led at the conference, and the one to the right is of our nice little fire at our campsite...that we eventually had to leave. Oh, by the way, after we left our campsite we proceeded to move to cabin 5A, then to 5B, then to some other building where we all just slept on the floor in one big room.... THEN the next morning we packed up again and moved to cabin 2A where we finally got bunks. The slightly awkward part was that we all (guys & girls) had to share the same bathroom. Shower time in the morning was quite interesting. ;) What a great segway into the picture to the left! The showers we took occurred at about 3:00am because we needed to leave to make it the Bill Clinton event. Although we were tired, we all had a great time serving at the event- and meeting Former President Clinton was definitely a bonus we did not expect. We really got to hear about the things he accomplished during his two terms. Yes, he has his "warts" as Mr. Sanford would say; but he really did and continues to do some great things for this country and our world (esp. Haiti). During this ceremony he was also named a "Honorary Ranger" by the National Park Service.The whole experience was pretty great and makes me even more honored to be serving our country through AmeriCorps.
   Well, thats about it for the recap of the past month. Love you all and thanks for letting me share my adventures with you! Keep praying for us!

for.the.kids