I’m not even sure where to begin with this blog. This has been one of the most amazing summers I have ever had and ended on such a great note. On Brian’s birthday I was contacted by Camp Kesem Maine because they were looking for a nurse and I had came highly recommended by the camp advisor from Camp Kesem Washington University that I had done the week prior. Since I had no plans last week I said sure why not and so the regional coordinator booked my flight to Maine and back. I really had no idea where I was going, where camp was or who was picking me up from the airport. This is probably one of the most spontaneous things I have ever done. I am normally a planner and want to know every single detail ahead of time.

I landed in Bangor Maine and Sunny came and picked me up. We chatted in the car like we had known each other all our lives. She reminded me so much of a former resident (Dr. Addante) that I pretty much liked her immediately. She would spend the first two days at our camp and then move onto two more camps she was director for. This was University of Maine’s first ever camp. I met the other nurse Moppy pretty much right away. She had just finished seven weeks of boys camp somewhere in New England. She was older than me which was a real blessing not to be the oldest person at camp like the previous one. This camp was held at Camp Jordan which was sponsored by the YMCA and money donated by Steven King. It turned out I was in Steven Kings home town. Before I had Emily, I read all of his stuff and was wishing I had stayed an extra day because one can drive by his house, see the place where the accident in Pet Cemetery was filmed as well as the weird water tower from It. I was excited to see this in the Dining Hall.

It was a great week. There were only fourteen campers and only one had medicine. This meant Nurse Red could play all week with the kids and have a great time and I did. There were a few kids that walked in with huge attitudes. It was apparent that they did not want to be there and they were determined to have a horrible time. However this group of young people are amazing.

Their energy from the minute the parents left was mind blowing. Our very first game we played was one person stands in the middle of the circle and says something about themselves. I of course sad my favorite color is orange. So everyone that agreed runs into the circle and then finds an empty spot, leaving a new person in the middle. It was a good way to get to know a little about each other and I think it was a game changer. By breakfast the next morning all the campers were smiling and having a great time. I went to arts and crafts and made this. The caterpillars name is Carl and he’s the Camp Kesem mascot. The rest of the kids were making decorations for their cabins. I had a good time.

The rest of the week was a lot of fun but just like the last camp my favorite was messy games. The administration team let the kids cover them in paint and then all the counselors did as well. After that it was pretty much a free for all with slapping paint on each other. Everyone was great sports and it was so much fun!

My husband likes to tease me that I am trying to pick up a boyfriend. Actually I am scouting for son in law material. I just want to say every single one of the counselors and admin team are daughter in law and son in law material. To be a counselor for camp Kesem, one has to interview and then it is weekly meetings the entire school year. It is all volunteer so these kids are passionate and dedicated to both the cause and the camp. It’s just difficult to even put into words. All of them amazed me all week with how selfless and giving they were. There is no way I want to miss either camp next year and am planning on being back. I guess it will be another “summer of vacations” according to my husband.

Mole Moral ~ Life begins where your comfort zone ends!