This summer I was lucky enough to spend every day around the sweetest kids. We spent the days playing with toys, running around outside, screaming in the sprinklers, going on field trips toexhausting awesome places, swimming in the pool, and laughing until our tummies hurt.
We had some days that each kid took a turn crying, and some days that the tears never seemed to stop. No matter if it was a good day or a bad day, it was a day I was glad to be there. These kids made a difference in my life, and I would not have wanted to spend my summer any other way.
Mornings would usually begin with snack and juice (which ended up all over the table and floor).
They'd come tattle on their friends at least 32 times a day about the funniest things. "Ms. Baylor, she said I'm 4, but I'm fiiiiiiive." "Ms. Baylor, he said we're not cousins and we are." "Ms. Baylor... Ms. Baylor... Ms. Baylor..." The Ms. Baylor's never stopped, but I never grew tired of their sweet voices.
Before camp began, I wasn't in the best place of my life. I wasn't sure about my major and I just had a lot going on.
But, when I walked into that building, everything was better. I never stopped laughing with, or sometimes at, their silly selves. Camp definitely showed me that I'm in the correct major for myself; I cannot wait to be a teacher and grow a love for a group of children for 9 months a year instead of just 3 months of summer.
They kept my mind busy all day and never allowed me to be sad. How could I with their cute dance moves while playing musical chairs or their funny stories they told during lunch???
My favorite part is that even the "bad" kids would still cry and ask you to hold them when they got hurt. There is no "bad" kid. That's something I've learned. Every day is a new day, and as a teacher, I will make sure to give all kids a clean slate daily.
I've never thought of myself as a maternal person, but those kids definitely brought that out of me.
I loved camp for the kids, and I loved the kids for who they made me become.They have no idea how much of an impact their little 3 foot selves made in my life.
Day after day, they made me feel important; they made me feel loved, and I tried so very hard to make sure they felt that love back. They gave me a purpose this summer, and now because of this group of 20 four and five year old's, I know that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life.
The worst part about camp is that it had to end. I've never been so ready for summer to come back! So, have a great school year and don't forget about me, cause I surely won't forget about any of you any time soon.
Love,
Your Summer Camp Counselor
