Random Update (6.17.13)

Last Monday Sam and I flew out to Reno, Nevada for staff week at MMR. We arrived safely and were picked up by Rachel and Sarah. After a quick lunch in Reno, we drove about an hour out across the Nevada-California border, where the border guard asked if we had any seed or plants. The country here in Susanville is high and dry. Zach, a friend of Sam and me from Boston College also working at the camp, has been besieged by spontaneous bloody noses all this past week, especially on Friday near Lake Tahoe. The ranch where the summer camp itself is located is out along a dirt road I wouldn't think to turn down at first glance. Even the first glance around the ranch itself didn't thrill and amaze me— grassy meadows of both fresh and old horse manure don't have that affect on most people.

Having been here a week and having gotten to know a bunch of the other camp counselors has definitely made the adventure worthwhile already. We all have gotten trained on our various activities and the various camp traditions (there are a lot of traditions. Some I don't understand). Last Wednesday the whole staff took a field trip to see some local waterfalls, natural underground cave labyrinths, and sulfur hotspots. All very cool. California sure has a lot of outdoor opportunities. 

We jumped into that water. It wuz cold.

Thursday night we had our hike and overnight camp out in the woods at the edge of the ranch's property which involved a campfire, hotdogs, beans in cans, s'mores, and banana pancakes for breakfast. 3 PM Friday until 4 PM Saturday was the staff's allocated day off, which we spent at Luke's small lovely cabin at Lake Tahoe. For some reason we decide to buy about 10 frozen pizzas instead of delivery... So Kim and I cooked those for the group of about 25 people. Well, I mostly sliced the finished product. But still. My only regret was sleeping on the floor for a second night in a row. But what can one do when 25 people are in a cabin that can sleep 5-7 normally?

Saturday night was the final preparations and staff talks from our bosses, Chuck (with beard) and Chip (owner of ranch, mustache). Yesterday the campers arrived, at last. We helped them get settled in their cabins and oriented with the ranch by taking a camp tour and going to various areas like the infirmary for a quick medical checkup or the pool/horse stable for swimming/riding assessments (required to do any of the water or horseback activities). After lunch the pool was opened and most of the campers had arrived. I helped some kids learn the slack line, a line hung between 2 trees and walked across. Overall this first day has been nice. The ranch is full and alive, and most of the kids aren't too darn annoying yet. But a few look like they'll be handfuls... Some act as though no one has ever told them 'no' their entire lives. Anyways. This has been the week 1 update from out camp California (we do have WiFi in one building).