The last three weeks we have had staff training which includes, but is not limited to, welcome program planning, hiking, activity area training (sailing, tennis, camp-craft, wildlife, etc...), lost swimmer/camper drill, work crews, some staff did lifeguard and WFA (wilderness first aid) training, four other girls and I became archery certified, the barge drill, wisdom walk, co -pairings, pre-season banquet, and finally we ended training with banana-boating. I'm sure I'm probably missing lots of things that we did, but this is just a taste of what my life has been like the last three weeks.
So, yes, I did get archery certified and I have successfully hit the bullseye more than once! Okay, it hasn't been in the exact middle, but still in the bullseye! :) A few of the girls and I ended up with stellar bruises on our arms from the string snapping against our skin as we released the arrow. I guess we've all learned our lesson to roll our arms/elbows down. I also shoot left handed because I am left eye-d. (I wondered why I was so bad all those other times I had tried to shoot before...!)
Another fun time was the barge drill scenario - two counselors didn't know what was going to happen and the rest of us pretended that the barge caught on fire. We made a big scene including jumping off the side of the barge while it was still moving at a good speed, hiding under the bench because of the "inability to swim," and I "lost" my life-jacket after getting in the water and pretended to drown, and the boat boy (who didn't know this was going to happen) found out it was a "pretend fire" and just walked off the boat. Anyways, it was just a big lesson on what to do if there's an emergency on the barge.
One of my favorite parts of training is the Wisdom Walk. That is where we split up into different groups and walk around to different stations on the island where different admin are. The admin share some wisdom and encouragement with us from God's Word.
Yesterday afternoon we found out what cabin we were in and who we were cos with. I am yet again in Winnebago (11-12 year olds) with Becky!
Finally, we had our pre-season banquet last night. It was rainbow themed because of the reminder of God's promises. All the counselors received awards of promises. I received the promise of Philippians 1:6 - which is kind of ironic because I had been thinking about that verse throughout staff training! Obviously God knew all along!
With the conclusion of the banquet, the boat boys took us banana-boating, which, for those of you who don't know, is a banana-shaped tube/boat.
Anyways, I cannot express how much God has already taught these three short weeks, but it has been good. I am excited for what He is going to teach me the next eight weeks as I will be pouring into campers. God is so good - He's always been faithful to me.
P.S. Here's a link to some pictures!
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=220065&id=729082455&l=ad2ab4a832
