Friday, June 02, 2006

The Lovely Camp Counselor

That girl and I had a great time.

We listened to Celtic Woman's Chloe and Dvorak and the soundtrack from Lord of the Rings on the 10-hour drive down to North Carolina while we discussed The Life of the 21st Century College Woman.

We stayed in a terrific motel and had a hilarious conversation with a couple hitting the hot tub with their two young children. They wanted to know if the camp was a religious one and, used to my own diverse and tolerant community, I explained that, while its origins had been Christian, it was now more in the realm of "spiritual" rather than denominational, and that I thought that anyone who did not have religious dietary restrictions (i.e., my own Orthodox Jewish students) could be comfortable there. Then I learned that they were conservative Christians in the process of moving from New York to northern North Carolina to get away from . . . uh . . . people . . . like me. They were very nice about it, though.

Camp is GREAT. I am always amazed that, in this tiny mountain valley of western North Carolina, an international community creates itself around the concept of "a child's world" of music, art, drama, sports, and camping every summer. The daughter and colleagues have an entire week of orientation -- programming, child psychology, safety and emergency procedures, communciation skills, outdoor skills -- this camp doesn't mess around with the well-being of its very young campers. For this week, the lovely counselor is the only American in her cabin of eight girls from England, New Zealand, and Russia. (The one we met who filled us in is a grad student from England; all the counselors must have at least a year of college behind them.) Next Thursday night, after 24 hours off, they'll get their official cabin assignments and first roster of campers, who will arrive Friday morning.

She's going to work hard this summer, and I'm already missing her terribly. But I couldn't be happier that she has this opportunity.

16 comments:

emmapeelDallas said...

She is beautiful, and from everything you've said, quite wonderful, too. Those are some lucky campers!

:)

Judi

Anonymous said...

This camp sounds very similar to the ones that my own children attend: a year of college, a week of orientation, many international staff members, and camper safety and well-being a top priority.

I continue to be amazed by the intolerance of so many so-called "family values" types in this country. At least these folks were nice as they were fleeing from tolerance and acceptance.

You've raised a beautiful daughter from the inside out; you should be proud.

Lisa :-] said...

She's not just growing up...she's maturing...like a fine wine. What a spectacular adult she promises to be. You have to accompany her out here next fall, so that I can meet you both.

(BTW..."people...like...me..." LOL!)

Abadiebitch said...

Then I learned that they were conservative Christians in the process of moving from New York to northern North Carolina to get away from . . . uh . . . people . . . like me. They were very nice about it, though.

LMAO!

I am sure she will have a great time and learn a lot. I know you shall miss her.

Anonymous said...

All good stuff... the music, the conversation, the camp and especially the daughter.

Paul said...

What an absolutely lovely young lady.

As for those Christian hot-tubbers, if they were running from you, imagine if they had met ME?

Jody Harrington said...

Beautiful girl.~sniff~ Reminds me of the 14 hour drives I had with my younger daughter back and forth from Texas to her college in Tennessee. Now that she'd graduated, I sure miss those times!

Anonymous said...

What a great way to spend time with your lovely daughter. I hope she has a great time at camp.

Virginia said...

I had to laugh when you said "getting away from... people like you"...! What a sad statement about them. Unfortunately, those type are not rare enough.

Peace, Virginia

V said...

It sounds like a wonderful time was had!
Your daughter is a Beauty!
V

Anonymous said...

Bravo! and a LOL! (to bad for North Carolina)

alphawoman said...

Funny about the couple and their children! your daughter is beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Road trips are the best. How was the solo drive home, though?p

Anonymous said...

What a great relationship you have with your daughter. She's so beautiful.

Celeste said...

It sounds like a great place1 I am sure she will really enjoy this experience!

sunflowerkat said...

I was a camp counselor and it was an incredible job and one of the best times of my life. I'm thrilled that she has this opportunity!