Done, done and done

It'a official! My contract is done for the year.  We finished up our season with a lovely women's weekend, packed up our cabins, and headed to Coeur d'Alene to our friend Curtis' to have some joyful hang out time (well, 5 of us did).

The summer was the usual mixture of fun, joy, tears, children, and frustration.  For some reason, camp had quite a few more challenges then usual.  Perhaps because we only had 7 program staff (instead of the traditional 10).  My staff was fantastic though.  We had a great set of program weeks, and made some crazy stuff happen: the ultimate rave dance, a Mad Hatter tea party, sledding in the middle of July (with real snow), a Dr. Seuss carnival, a fantastic fancy dinner and dance for senior high, the most outrageous relay Camp Cross has ever seen (one camper from each group had to swim across the bay),just utter craziness...

And we had utter beauty at camp too.  I must admit that when it comes to nature, there are few places in this world that hold a candle to all the glorious spots that own my heart from camp.  From moonrises and campfire sites, to early morning fogs rolling off the lakes, Winston Rock to Gruber's ridge, our 110 acres pack a whole lot of nature's glory into its shores.  The views alone make camp worth the work we put in each season.  Plus, my cabin gets the best views: sunrise at one angle and sunset from the other!

Regardless of the frustrations, I'm leaving camp this year with a lot of joy stored in my heart, and a ton of memories with 7 of my favorite people on earth.  I am so thankful for each and every one of my program staff team.  They weathered some true adversity both personally and professionally, and yet they never let that keep them from creating awesome program for our campers.  They are truly some of the most selfless people with whom I've ever had the pleasure to work.    I am also very thankful to spend more time with my friend Krista.  I loved the times we got to hangout and enjoy camp together between our chaotic director jobs!

While this may not be the last time I'm at camp this year (we still have some post-season weekends to work), it was the end of our time together as an entire staff.  I know it won't fix all the frustration of the summer for you all, but I want you to know how deeply I appreciate your hard work this summer.  It was noticed, appreciated, and accepted with joy and love in my heart.  I would not have made it to the end without all of you supporting me and having my back.  The words are not truly enough, but I know that each of you knows the love behind them.  My final gift to you all required a facing of my fear of heights (my own personal high ropes course, if you will).  I hope you love our staff square as much as I love each of you.  Have a wonderful year, and keep coming back!
Pia

Our staff square: "Magunda, fire!"  So high, I could set the paints down on top of the lights while working.