Staff Training

I was invited last week to come to Staff Training and share some of my views with the staff. I want to share with you some of my first impressions of them. First, as I walked up to porch of the Dining Hall with Jody, a group of the counselors were sitting in a circle under an awning. They were all smiling, relaxed with one another, and laughing! They were somewhat humored that one of the Counselors was singing a song at the top of his lungs in a semi silly fashion not even realizing that a visitor was approaching let alone the Executive Director. They continued to let him sing while we stood silently by watching, trying not to interrupt him. At one point he finally opened his eyes and lifted his sunglasses to see Jody watching him. Of course, he jumped in surprise, laughed a little, and then continued.

This is an example of how at ease these college students are with their surroundings, each other, and what they will be expected to do while at camp this summer. Their morale is high, their excitement is high, and they're ready to play! What a great first impression.

While I was speaking with them and giving them a parent's perspective on sending their kids off to camp, almost all of the staff looked at me the entire time! They listened, smiled, and gave a lot of non verbal feedback that was great! If you've ever had to speak to a group of people, then you know how hard it is to stand and talk to a group who is half asleep and wondering why the heck you're talking to them in the first place. It was honestly a little disconcerting how intently they listened. I found myself wondering why they were looking at me!

I have to say that I didn't expect a whole lot of feedback based on what I was talking to them about. However, I think some of them probably will think about things a little differently when you drop your children off with them. I found myself feeling very reassured that my kids were going to have a blast with the staff this summer. I even found myself looking at each one wondering which one would be my kid's counselor.

The diversity, the positive attitude, the optimism they feel about their calling to serve God this summer is very apparent. I saw nothing but smiles and interest in each other and anyone who walked through the door. My first impressions of this staff were pretty high. I'm anxious to hear from the rest of you what your first impressions are tomorrow after you check in and meet your kids' counselors for the first week of camp!