Week Two of Staff Training

Well we had a day off as a staff and decieded to go in to town as a group, and enjoy the city. This is something we dont normally see. You know the normal, people buildings, cars, buses etc. So we left camp about 330pm, and headed in two cars. When getting into NJ we got stuck in a traffic jam, for 45 mintutes. As if this was not bad enough we also had the gas light go on as we were going thought the foot hills of NY. YIKES. Lucky we made it in to the gas station in NJ just in time. ( Gas is cheaper there, plus the pump your gas for free). Once leaving there we continued in to Middletown, to stop at Target, and the mall. After we did some shoping we had a staff dinner at Ruby Tuesdays. MMM. ( Plus some great converstation about random events of the week). After dinner we decied to stop by Wal-Mart to pick up a few things, other people needed. Brad and I ran in to get a few things, meaning like 5. It took us an hour to get though the store, and out the door. We ran from aisle to aisle. What took the longest was the mad amount of lines that Wal-Mart had. We then returned to camp to watch movies and enjoy some down time as a staff.

Next was one of our last days on camp for Staff Training. We went over some much needed necessities. Our seccions this day happen to be on the Bully Behavoir that children have, and how to handle it well. We also had some time to Discovery Plan, for our campers that would be coming in a few weeks. We then hiked to the Rafthers( a shelter by the lake) to do lunch. ( a hotdog roast. YEAH! After this we had a conversation about First Aid kits, what was in them, and were to get more supplies. After these two session my day was to my self. This was a very relaxing day, and of corse it was raining. What esle does it do in NY?

This next day we hiked down the the lake and did our boat orintation. This is were we learned how to rescue a camper who has fliped our canoe. We called it the T resue. We got an opportunity to canoe around the lake, and look at the mass amount of wildlife around the lake. Birds, fish, and mass amount of flowers.

The next day was the day I would get to experience NYC at its fullest. I would travel to Port Jervis, NJ to do day camp with my fellow staff mates then to NYC. At 230 we hopped on a train in Middletown and took a two hour train ride into Pen Station. Then from there we navigated our way to Brooklyn. This would be my new home for the next few days. That night we were free to do as we wished. I chose to stay in, and rest for a while. This was what most of the staff did, and we played games such as Crazy Uno, and Shit head. I even got to sit on a roof top porch.

The next day we traveled into Matthan to do the faith walk around where the ground zero site is. We learned many differant stories from that day, and I took so many pictures and had so many moving ideas. We started our trip in St. Pauls Chapel. This is where all the volenteers went to pray, rest and be recouporate. This was the place where many were found to be at peace in the koas that happen around ground Zero. After this we headed into China Town to catch lunch there. Yeah! After I went to walk the Brooklyn bridge, and enjoy company of three other international staff members. I took several pictures there, and got my first glimse of the Statue of Liberty. Then we took the subway to a church we would have our Behavoir Managment problems, and to reconize child abuse. WE also went over the Parsonage rules again. This was the night that part of the staff dieced to go out on the town, I so went with them. SO much fun we had hoping places.

The next day we packed up all our stuff and hopped on the subway for our last day in the City until our Day Camp Sessions. WE rode to a church that were we would have a session about Diversity, and other problems that arise when working with intercity kids. While waiting for the pastors, we played a game called Matthew, Mark, John. This is a memory game, which is always a hit with our staff. Then we met with our pastors from the churchs we would working with to get there expectations for the summer, and how we could help them. This should be a great first week of campformation. Yeah! After talking with them we got our assingments for the next week, which means I am in Shohola, with Anastashia. After this we quickly hoped on the train back to Port Jervis, and then returned back to camp in just enought time for it to rain some more! When back at camp we went to the Trail building to cover key points for our river trip that would happen the next day. We then were set free to pack, and sleep before the river trip.

Thursday was our first day on the river, we met at the Trailbuilding, and packed all of our stuff in dry bags, to make sure nothing got wet if we sunk our boats on the river. Then we headed to the Staff house, were the Canoe company picked us up. WE were then brought to there office to take car of a few things, before seting off on the river. We were assigned to groups, and for the first part of the trip we were in rafts. ( 7 miles). Then we set up camp and played more camp games to keep us intertained. We also played inthe river, and enjoyed our time together with lots of Jesus talk, and few crazy card games. ( staff favorites). We had campfire, and made smores to keep our tummies happy. Late night with lots of pictures, and fun pretending we were two years of age.

Friday morning was early we woke up cooked breakfast over the fire, then tore down camp, to continue on our trip. We then played a few more games to keep the time passing, until our canoes showed up. We then packed the canoes, and set on our way for the last part. ( 10 miles). WE canoed about 3miles then stoped and got back into the rafts for the last 7 miles. While in the Canoe, I steered, and what a trouble that was. We had alot of fun on the river, witha few pushing fights, and a few swims to cool off. My first trip down the Delaware River was amazing and fun. This summer is shaping up to be amazing and I cant wait.

When we got back we unloaded ours stuff , and what else would greet us but more rain. WE put all of our gear away, and then went back to our cabins to start our days off. Many of us had to move cabins, and areas. I cleaned our cabin and enjoyed the company of many of my fellow cabin mates.

Then I showed up for dinner, and fellow ship. After this we had affrmations for the Staff Training process,and then had Jubleee. Which is a way for the campers to show off there talents. Cory and I did an Mad Lib, but others did a song to Disney about Staff members ( Kayla wets her bed, and has wet shoes), and others sang 12 days of staff training. ( highlighting the many days of rain). So much fun, and so many days of laughter.

After this, we watched staff movies, and enjoyed the company. Treats were a must!.

When returning to my cabing, we found a mouse in the mouse trap. Being the normal girl, I screamed, and ran to find a guy folk to help me remove the creature from my cabin. After this, on my walk back to my cabin, I saw a raccon on the trail on my walk back. He did not want to move, So I ran the rocky, rooted train. Not a smart idea in the rain. I went to bed, and now am at a day off again. Looks like sunshie, lets hope it stays this way.

So I live in the rain for fun

When arriving on Thursday after waking up at 230am to catch the 5am flight to the twin cities. Once we arrived at the airport we were able to check my two bags, for free which was a relief for me, and hopped on a small plan to the Twin Cities. Once in the twin cities I we ran across the airport, to catch our next plan from the Twin Cites to Newark, NJ. Once on the jet, which we sat first class we then were able to land in Newark by 1130am. After this I sat in the Newark airport for about 3 hours waiting for Mitch to arrive, and Lisa to pick me up. Once Lisa picked me up, I began my "tri-state" adventure back to the place I would then call home for the next few months. We were lucky not to hit to much traffic, but were able to make the trip in 3 hours. ( this is supposed to be a 2 1/2 hour trip. ). Yeah!
Once at Koinonia, in a rather wet condition, I was droped off at the trail building where I would stay for the night. This would be my last taste of elec. for the next few weeks/months. Now dont get me wrong, in all the staff building there is alot of elec. but in all the areas that campers are there is no elec. Although I though this would bother me, or even be hard to get used to it is not. I am finding my self, rather close to my self. I am finding out many of the things out about my self I never have experienced before. It is also easier to get things done with all of the distractions of elec.
While here at Kiononia, I have attended alot of differant meetings. Some of which talk about safety of children, or how to bond as staff. Some talked about the mission of the Koinonia. Many are ways that the Summer Staff of 09 will bond to become closer to each other. One way we did this was learning how to control the conue, and learning how to flip it proporaly. This scares a person to death. Who wants to unwillingly go into the water? NOT ME! WE then walked across the lake to camp in 4 person tents, to learn how to cook, hang bear bags, and enjoy some one and one time with each other. WE didnt even have a toliet! Some things higlights fromt his trip were part of the staff finding a rattle snake, finding a puddle in my sleeping bag, after a hard rain, making a fire in the rain, and lots and lots of ticks were found. WE played many camp games. As well as some no-so-camp games. One of the favorites was called crazy uno, and shit head. Both crazy amazing games. We have also done our swiming test, and learning how to carry as much as possible on our backs to the middle of no-where land. We also have explored the air of Koinonia, witht he high ropes corse, and a fast beating heart. I had to be resuced from one of them. WE are a small staff of about 14, with 4 cordinators. We have about 6 international staff. The other 7 staff members are from the US.( including one super amazing girl from Kansas.
We were put in Servent groups, which are groups which we do alot of our leadership activities with. We feed the farm animails ( sheep, goats, pigs, and chickens), we lead the morning and evening worhsip, and plan bible studies for the staff training portion. ). WE will continue to explore our roles here at Koinonia, while also exploreing the wonders of NY.
Our first week, we stayed in what are called the summer cabins. Therins . Theses are cabnins that have the top half as screens s and the bottom half as a full wall. I hope this makes sience. In the next week, we will be able to go to NYC, and on a conoe/rafting trip. The rafting will take place on the Delaware River, with a few rapids. This part makes me nervous. This will also allow us to stay in tents again in the evening. While in NYC we will stay in the pastatage. WE will take the train into the city, and then take public transit from there. I shall update later next week, when I have another chance to do so.

Staff Training

Well staff training is going well. All the staff got here last week Friday ( June 12th). I am now a proud CPR, and first aid certified. I have also made friends from all over the US, and World. (* South Africa, Austrila, Lybia). WE have spent our nights out in tents( across the lake) for two nights. Which we ended early because of rain. ( all it has done since I got here). I have also sat in many session about Koinonia. WOW. What boredom. (will update more soon) Keeping busy, leading Discovery, 1st word, and Evening song. All in the rain. More soon.

Some go to camp... I go to camp in NY

Many of you know that I will be in NY for the summer. I am a camp counselor at a ELCA summer camp in Highland Lake, NY. I will get to spend some of my days in NYC, which I am very excited about. Most of my days will be spent in the wooded area, around a campfire. I am looking forward to my nights under the stars, and breakfast over the fire. ( My favorite parts of summer). Although I am very excited for the amazing experience, I would love some snail mail.Although it is not a mandatory part. ( Some of you have asked for the address, and I have neglected to give it to you. My deepest apologies for that :( ) . I will try to keep a blog, which I will try and keep up with. This is also b/c I will be on limited cell phone use for the summer, so this is probably the best way to get a hold of me. So here in this note, I will give you my contact information so we can keep in contact over this period of time. PLEASE! :). 

So here it is...

Koinonia • 165 Lakeview Drive• Highland Lake, NY 1274 


Thank you for your support! I look forward to sharing many of my stories when I get back. I will be looking forward to getting mail for you.:)