I'm back for you, CSL community, with the inside scoop I promised you earlier. Today marks the official beginning of General Staff Orientation, so by default, I'm going to refer to this day as the official beginning of "camp season."
Contrary to popular belief, Staff Orientation is not just a time for schmoozing and pretending to be a camper for a week before the responsibly kicks in (although who can possibly resist a little of that), but rather it is a time for staff growth and development, and a time for all of us to come together in order to bring you all the best all summer. More than that though, this is the foundation of the laughs, memories, and accomplishments we will all experience together in just one short week (yay).
Today, the CSL staff participated in a bonding activity that is untraditional yet more effective than any other "typical" icebreaker like favorite ice creams or rounds of never have I ever. Instead of doing this, the staff embarked on a trip across the lake, using basically all the boats in camp using only paddles - because boating normally would just be way too mainstream. Although my boats tended to have to get towed in more often than I would like to admit, I have to say this icebreaker gave me a much harder arm workout than sitting in a circle talking mint chocolate chip vs. cookie dough (except everyone already knows mint chocolate chip is far supierior).
The staff this year is incredible (per usual), so you can sleep easy tonight knowing that 200 Camp Road is in the best of hands. I can tell you that we are all itching for the campers to get here already, and are so excited to see those happy faces run down the bus stairs into the chaos that is the first day.
Being back here even just for half a day, has reminded me why I love this place so much. The second I drove down Camp Road, I remembered why I return here summer after summer, refusing to join the "real world" with an internship or a job scooping ice cream.
Being a camp counselor is so much more than a summer job. It's an opportunity for growth, a time to overcome challenges, and most importantly, it is rewarding in a way that is inexplicable to an outsider. The staff this year gets that, which means everyone is in for a treat.
Basically, what I'm really trying to say is get here already!! We are so ready for you, and cannot wait to show you the best time of your lives in just one short week. CSL, we are officially in the radius.
-Jilli Underberg, Counselor/Media Representative
