My Ammo

Counselors are not allowed to have real weapons in their possession.

In fact, I’m not even allowed to have my epi-pen in my possession (which is alright, considering it is expired anyway)

However, most of us, if not all of us, carry sources to aid us (like weapons) in the various battles we have with campers. So today, I thought I would share some of them with you.

Session three was wonderful. I was so blessed to receive four girls who had been in my bunk last year plus another nine girls who were all very well behaved.

I was so proud of how good they were at listening.

However, we still had some regular camp issues arise, but luckily, I was prepared for most all of them.

1. Scripture Cards

Every morning before I wake my campers up, I try to get alone and just dwell on a scripture for a moment. This helps me focus my day and get it devoted on the right track.
I pick a verse to dwell on for the week.

This past week’s verse was from Ephesians 5:15
 “Be very careful then how you live, not as unwise, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”

With this verse fresh in my mind every morning, I was able to use it as a weapon to push every ounce of energy into my work. No sleeping during movie time. No going back to the bunk to grab a snack. All effort is with connecting to the kids.

This also helps when campers have specific prayer requests where they need a Bible verse to stand on. With my little scripture cards, I can find them a suitable verse fairly quick.
One girl in particular had trouble with getting angry at her friends this week, so she asked me for help.
I was able to direct her to James 1:19 “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry”

2.  I feel sick
I had a girl who threw up on the second to last day. She didn’t feel well enough to come participate in the outdoor events, so she would just stay in the Nurse’s station and watch Disney movies.
I was puzzled on how to reach out to her and make her feel loved.
I didn’t want my opportunity to impact her slip by.

So I thank the Lord for coloring books.

They were my weapon for this. I had to think quickly so I could continue getting the rest of my bunk to our activities, so I just ran to my bunk and brought the girl two coloring books with some markers and crayons. Her face just lit up the room.
It truly did the trick.

3. When the Ropes Course is Scary
Our ropes course is incredible. But even for me, it can get a little scary at times.
We encourage every camper to at least try it, but if they won’t budge, or get too scared to stay up, their only other option is to sit at the bottom and talk or play games with other campers.

But then I started to bring chalk.
So simple, once again, but it made a huge difference.
This week I went out and bought a 52 pack to last the rest of the summer-it’s going to be awesome!

4. Goodnight
You would not believe how much ice cream my girls consumed on the last night of camp.
Within a two hour period we had three servings.
Once at the dining hall with dinner.
Second at the ice cream party for winning the cleanest bunk award.
And third at the Saloon while they heard country music.
It was insane.

When we got back to the bunk they were off the wall. I had no idea how we would sleep.
So we had a dance party. Then we had a pillow fight. And then I promised to sing a lullaby if they all got in their beds and stayed quiet. It totally worked.
Their energy was out and the song practically knocked them out.

5. Sweet Talks
Isabella was one of my returners last session. She is eight, and she is adorable.
As soon as she walked in the door to the cabin last year my heart melted…
Who is our counselor, where is she?!”
Then she saw me.
“MISS MELODY! It is you! Yes! I missed you so bad!”
Oh. Sweetheart.

She said other adorable little things throughout the session like:
“I’m going to stay with you wherever you go.”
“I can’t believe I got you again! We were like best friends last year!”
Many people at camp actually commented that she was my “mini-me” because we’ve both got brown wavy hair.  She really enjoyed it when they said that.

The only downfall to all of this is that she became a bit of a clinger.
We line up. Isabella is at the back of the line. We start walking. All of a sudden she is at the front so she can hold my hand.
This type of thing did not go over well with the other girls.

Therefore, my ammo for this was just sweet little talks.
I would say something sweet to Isabella, but then I would tell her that I needed to spend some time with the other girls, and could she please come back in a few minutes.
I know this may not seem like ammo. But keeping it sweet was the key.
If I was stern with her, or said something in front of everyone, she would get offended.

Well. That’s all the ammo talk I have time for now. Session four is on their way!