Wrapping it up

I learned a lot from the diabetes kids last week. Like that the blood sugar meters stop reading at 600 because that's an extremely high blood sugar, but when most people get diagnosed they are eight or nine hundred. (Normal is 80-120 ish) Different people react differently to lows and highs. Some common symptoms are headaches or nausea.

The kids were great, really fun to hang out with. I worked with a cabin of 8-10 year old boys who were great. They made me pet rocks and told me all about everything in their lives. So cute! I also got to hang out with my friend Chelsey's cabin of 16 year old girls. On Thursday they thought it would be really super fun to do our hair and make up for the dance so we looked girly, because let's face it, at camp...you look like you live at camp! I think they did a pretty good job:


I was sad to see the kids go on Friday because I knew that they had all had such an amazing week at camp and did not want to leave--and here I was after having had an amazing 9 weeks at camp, facing the reality of packing up and leaving later that same day. Looking back on my summer I can honestly say that camp was one of the best experiences of my life. From the people I worked with to the campers whose lives I got to be a part of for the briefest moment, I loved being a part of it. I feel like camp is my place. It fits my personality and encompasses all my favorite things: working with kids, being outside, and having a job that I love. I wouldn't trade one minute of my summer for the world. I owe a lot of people "thank you's" now that it's all said and done. I am hoping to return to camp next year as a counselor because I want to spend more time and build stronger bonds with the kids. I loved my girls in the health lodge but none of them will be back next year so I feel ready to branch out into other areas of camp.

Camp has been the missing piece to the puzzle of my life, with its sometimes rough edges and monotony in the middle. It makes me feel like I'm doing something amazing that benefits other people as much as it gives me the joy and energy to keep going. I couldn't have asked for a more perfect opportunity to really find passion in something and explore myself on a deeper level. A lot of good has come out of this summer and I can't wait to go back next June and do it all over again. I may continue to post throughout the year with updates or sparks of brilliance, so stay tuned.

~SJ

Makin' momma proud

Today was awesome! Due to some short staffing and personal preference, plans got changed. I didn't get to do kickball or soccer. But don't feel too bad for me, because I finally got to do...

The MUDPIT!

It was so gross and I loved it! My shoes kept getting stuck!

My friend Chelsey and I looking tough!She loves me even when I'm a mess...I think she's a keeper!

Part two of the mudpit is the rope swing! This must be why there's so much muck in the lake!

I'm so glad I finally got to do this! I'm looking forward to what tomorrow brings!

~SJ

The countdown continues

Diabetes Week 2 is off and running. We've got another great group of kids this week. The nursing assistants are working with a cabin of 8-10 year old boys and their so naughty and I just love them! (loving the naughty kids is a theme that is sure to continue into my teaching career!)

Yesterday I got to play water games with thirty 8-10 year olds. All 15 boys decided that it was very important to tackle me, jump on me, and soak me with buckets of water--and you'd better believe I loved every minute of it! This afternoon I get to play kickball and tonight: SOCCER! I'm pretty excited!

The plan for me is to go home on Friday. I'm starting to get nervous about saying goodbye to everyone. Some more than others, of course. I'll figure out how to deal with that in a few days.

Again, not much to report from camp. I got to do another clinic run last week with a kiddo who sprained their ankle pretty bad. So brave! So far this week everything is going along swimmingly, but I will keep you updated if anything exciting happens!

~SJ

Just another day in paradise

And we're back! Sarah here reporting from WLC where we are currently knee-deep in Diabetes Week 1. The week is off to a great start. We have called in the professionals to give us a hand, some nice folks from the American Diabetes Association who do most of the work with the kiddos. I'm learning a lot about diabetes from the campers. They have a great attitude about it and are pretty open to answering my questions. It's their way of life, what they know, and so they are willing to educate others to help us understand. I've been letting the kiddos in the cabin I'm working with test my blood sugar as often as they ask to, because they have to do it quite a bit.
Some of our kids have insulin pumps and some do injections. It's mostly a personal preference, just like some people who are deaf chose to get cochlear implants and some do not. One reason staff love the two diabetes weeks is because the campers stop for frequent snack breaks--and we get fed too. The food is really healthy this week, because good diet (and exercise) are factors that help control diabetes.

This morning I got to participate in an activity called Paint Your Counselor (PYC) which is exactly what it sounds like. Mix a little soap in with the paint, put on your swimsuit, and give the brushes to the kids--they'll do all the work! And what a nice job they did:

In the picture next to me is my friend Jacob, who is basically the reason I came to camp in the first place :-)

Right after PYC we jumped in the lake for some innertube fun, so I didn't get to keep my decorations on for too long. The campers really had a blast painting me and the three other staff members. The kids in the cabin I'm working with this week are eight and nine years old and I just love them--and they love me! They said I am their favorite Sarah! They are always begging to hold my hand or get a piggy back ride or carry my bag. They see us staff people signing and are eager to learn sign too.

After this week I have all of next week (Diabetes 2) and then I am going home for three short days before I head back to school for CA training. I'm going to be taking with me a lot of great experience and leaving behind a lot of fantastic people who I hope to stay in touch with until next summer when I come back again! Stay tuned for more updates in my last 10 days at WLC!

~SJ

The Dells the Dells the Dells the Dells!

We went mini golfing. I got in a fight with my putter. Oops.

Daddy can't believe his princess is 22! Don't worry, daddy, I'm still your baby.

Can't tell that we're related at all...

It was great to spend some time with my brothers.

We had a lot of f

1988 :-)

~SJ