Song of the day: Homesick at Space Camp by Fall Out Boy
I saved somebody today.
This is my fourth summer as a lifeguard, and I never had to save anyone before this summer. Today was my second save. This little kid, Chris, can't swim but managed to kind of walk to water that is over his head. All of the sudden I head "somebody help me!" and the next thing I know I had hopped in and grabbed him. He was fine - maybe a little shaken - but fine.
This summer at camp has been crazy. The first day, my canoe flipped over in the river and we (two kids and I) had to swim back to the dock (see picture). The next day I made my first save ever. I was guarding the deep end and some kid had an asthma attack, but I grabbed him. Pretty much the same story as today's save. He was fine. I was soaking wet in my shorts and shirt. Saweeeet.
Alyssa had to jump in the river last Friday to rescue a Brockton counselor and 2 kids whose canoe tipped and couldn't swim. The kids had lifejackets, at least. Amy jumped in the river a couple weeks ago to save someone. She also had to get in the pool last week to grab an Autistic kid who was totally fine but was convinced he was drowning. He was holding onto a noodle and touching the bottom. Ruston saved a kid failing the swim test today. A few weeks ago Meagan jumped in the pool to grab a kid, though he was okay by the time she got there. Not really sure what happened there.
Either way, it's been ridiculous. In addition to the frequent life saving taking place, we have a bunch of Autistic kids with one on one aids coming to camp Monday to Thursday. It's interesting, to say the least. We've also had a couple of groups from other Boys' Clubs come to camp for a day. More obnoxious than interesting. The first 2 weeks of camp were filled with rain. Lately, it's been quite sunny. It's nice, but very very hot.
Every Friday is pizza day. That's awesome. Fridays are also theme days. First, red white and blue day before July 4th. Then Crazy Clothes Day. I wore a crazy drag suit and a tie dye shirt I had just made. Last week was Halloween in July. Colette and I dressed the same and said we were twins. Several people got us confused... success! This coming Friday is Ronald Snodgrass's birthday... a carnival day. Ronald is an imaginary camper that was made up several years ago. Every year we have a big party on one day and say it's for his birthday. It's really fun!
Guarding hasn't been too bad. Swimming lessons are tough and frustrating but hey, it happens, and it's expected. Canoeing has been okay in general. We have a much better system this year than we used to, so that's a plus. Despite this, I really hope to have a different job next summer. The organization and communication from the bosses is lacking, and it bothers me a lot. Plus, I'm bored. Three years working at the same summer camp is too many.
Luckily, my coworkers are awesome. The lifeguard team is the same as last year, plus Ruston and my sister. I really like working with Colette and I'm glad to be able to spend time with her during the summer since I'm away all year at school. The counselors are pretty cool, too. I love most of the returnees from last year, and about 10 of us hang out every Friday night doing various fun things. Most of the new counselors are from my graduating class of THS. It's a little weird because I knew them in high school but we weren't really friends... but it's not too bad.
Sometimes I work at camp on the weekends, guarding for private functions like graduation parties and church functions. I like extra money so it's all good as far as that's concerned, even if it can be very boring.
I think that's about all I've got about summer camp. It's a love/hate relationship....
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