Visual-ization of some of my summer!

   So the first picture is of me on my last field day down at the waterfront. We have numerous swimming activities where the Trackers seem to dominate. I would just repeatedly yell "SWIM, SWIM, SWIM!" It worked! You can see 3 stripes of red paint on my face. These symbolize some of our ideals. I can't spill the beans its our secret!

   Second picture is of me and one of my friends Matt. It was taken in San Antonio on our first small break in between sessions of first term. Not the one where I came home but, the one before that. Texas is in one of the worst dry seasons it's seen. So pretty much everywhere is under a burn ban and Smokey the bear is BACK! So we were pumped and had to get our picture with one of the ads.

   The picture after is from this past week. We have a history and heritage night. This is most all of us guy guides that were dressed the part. We had a fake shotgun wedding and this as the grooms men. It was a blast! And of course I was able to put my Montana goodies to use again! Thanks bro!

    Next is a picture from the beginning of the summer. This was a ramp we have for Mt. boarding. Its like a off-road skateboard. So of course I decided that I had to take my bike off the ramp. These people should know that you can't put a ramp somewhere and then expect me to stay away from it. So I jumped some mt. bikes off of it. We no longer have the ramp because to many kids were hurt. However, some kids tore it up and were amazing off the ramp!

   And last but not least is a picture of me with my pirate flag. I flew this flag all summer down at my treehouse. Then we had to start raising the flag and my cabin decided to raise it on the main flag pole. It has become my trademark around here. I travel 900 + miles from home and I only took the essentials as you can see. My flag that Jac got me for my birthday a few years back! Thanks Jac it has been put to good use and gotten me through tougher times. When I see the flag flying high it reminds me of how lucky I really am and where I come from! 

   Just thought you all would like some new pics of your boy! Times here are good. Having a few issues with kids. Thats normal. They are starting to miss home and ready to be done. They've been away for a month so its expected. The staff is starting to loose energy and ready to be done. But, this is nothing new to me. I've worked at camps so long that I knew it was going to happen. I believe that I am going to Dallas again this weekend to pick up kids for our last term. I get to go to a hotel with a pool, free wi-fi, and continental breakfast! LOVE IT! I think I say yes so I can be back to civilization for a little while. I get to go with a co worker so it should be a little more enjoyable. Not to mention I'm not sick!

    So that is my update. I have the rest of this week then next week and I'm heading back to MO! I'm pumped to be back. I will be helping out and volunteering with the High school mens soccer team again! So that will be fun and give me something to look forward to daily and what not. You know I can't get away from the game that I love! Just like my famiy, I can't stay away...miss and love you all to much! Miss you and love you all. Hope all is well back home and I'll be back soon! 

   Love,

       Keaton

Unpredictable

So it was a crazy couple of days since my birthday to oh well today or so. First off I want to thank everybody for the birthday cards and gifts, from comic strips, to singing red-headed hamsters, you all brightened my day and made it so so so much better.

I was a lil sick on Friday but, it wasn't a big deal. Saturday after closing ceremony I had to drive the camp suburban and a trailer to Dallas. This about a 6 hour drive and goes through San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas. I stayed downtown Dallas so I had to drive with a trailer through all the greatness of big city traffic! I was a pro no worries!

Saturday was a long trip and the sickness wasn't terrible. Sunday I crashed hard! I could tell it was bad. I toughed it out and picked up three kids in Dallas and three more in Austin. By the time I hit San Antionio (still and hour and a half from camp) I could tell I was hurting and needed to be done. But, we made it back safe and I went straight to the health lodge. Slept all day Sunday and through the day Monday after having to get taken to the doctor to see if I had the flu. No worries I didn't!

So I'm slowly getting back into the swing of things and trying to figure out my meds that I am on. Sometimes I feel great and normal and the next second I feel like I'm just as sick as I was. Its crazy and I'm just ready to be back to normal and finish out the camp session strong. I miss mt. biking and just want to be able to do my thing here as my time comes to an end.

I can't tell you all how thankful I am for your support and cards and birthday wishes made my day and week. I wish I was able to talk to you all more regularly and actually had cell phone service. I'm not dependent on the phone but, I can't tell you how much I woulda loved to have actually called to thank you for the cards and gifts. So I thank you so very very much. I love you all and can't wait to be home. Right now the plan is to be back around the 17th of August. 

Well I have to run to work the office. Miss you all and love you!

Doing some Laundry

So, it has been an epic last week or so and I have a few great stories to tell. First off there is some information that needs to be let out so you get it. There is a line from a movie saying: "I like to party." Pretty simple concept right? Well not around kids we can't say that. So me being the clever person I am remixed it to "Let's do some Laundry." or "I like to do laundry." Here at camp that translates to: I like to party.

So I was swamped doing some work for the newsletter and needed my time on the mt. bike. Possibly my newest found passion. I realized my addiction after almost not getting to ride and knowing that I was sitting behind a desk when I could have been riding. So my co-guide comes in and tells me I have to hit this trail...it just rained a couple hours previously and it was "epic." So from my college days I've learned personal time is a must and putting things off that probably should be put off would find a way to get done. So I peaced out on the office and decided to hit the trail!

We were pumped to ride and had lots of energy. We were pushing the kids pretty hard and were riding fast and "Living the Dream." (another one of my favorite sangs) We were riding hard and my co-guide was leading and did a bunny hop (jumped the bike with out a jump) over a lil hump. No biggie right? WRONG! Blew the tire on landing and ate it hard. (fell on his face) I didn't see the whole thing and joked around with him until I was closer and could see his face....lets just say it wasn't pretty. Blood was everywhere and just was a nasty site. 

We kept the kids calm and had him go back. He wouldn't take my bike and let me walk his. He picked up his bike and says " Thats what we call living the dream kids. Now have fun and do some laundry!' As blood is spitting out with each word. NASTY! So we continue on. A kid gets a flat so my other guide carries that kids bike and I have 13 kids on my own leading them on the trail. Lets just say it was a good think I like to procrastinate. 

Ends up the guy had to go to the ER and get 8 stitches. He was back the very next morning for church and our mt. bike class. This dude is a beast! It was indeed a day of "doing laundry" both in literal and our form or communication.

I will also be traveling to Dallas this Saturday staying in a hotel on camps dime and getting up to pick up kids to bring them back for the next session. I'll have cell phone service and time to myself! LOVE IT! I have to pick up a few in Dallas then some more in Austin. Should be an interesting trip. I also talked to them about my position and not being able to do both jobs. We'll see where that takes me. I just hope it doesn't screw somebody else over. Not trying to make anybody mad around here. I need to figure out how to tell them that I will not be wanting to stick around after summer. I've made my decision up to come back and get my masters. Just think its the best decision I could make right now. I miss spending time with my family and friends. There is a lot that will soon be going on that I couldn't imagine missing. I mean I have yet to visit Jac at school in session....LAME! Samantha told me "Happiness should be a manor of travel, not the destination." Which is so right. I was in search of happiness as an end result when I should be happy now and happiness will come. 

So I'll be back to DO SOME LAUNDRY! And of course study and be a good kid! Love and miss you all!

Back in Saddle...not really

So after an amazing trip back to the wonderful world of Missouri I was quickly tossed back into the swing of camp. I was shocked when I had a cabin, got my Division Advisor job and a full schedule of classes. This is simply not what I was looking for. I have twice the responsibility as well as still having a cabin. The expectations seem to be too hight for what they think one person can do. 

I can't look over three cabins and have my own cabin...simply just can't do it. We had one that couldn't handle it and so Im not sure of how or why I'm expected to. Anyways enough about that. I've had a few phone interviews or looking at my second for a job and have thought long and hard about going back to school. Very well could happen to where I'm looking at getting my masters degree.

My new kids are great however. They are older and just basically like friends that are a little bit younger than me. I don't have to do much of anything and only ask them a few times to do whatever it is needed that they do. Life is still good but, I think that this meeting of Texas will soon be another chapter in my life and simply that of being a meet and greet and a sweet home return to where I can figure out my life...just gotta tell the peeps down here that my heart is not in Texas...just not my style. Maybe its the sun and my sensitive skin...who knows!

Everythings bigger in Texas...even the HEAT!

So My time here is still going wonderfully. The first term is coming to an end. The kids have been here for a month and some for two weeks. As most would expect the kids are starting to get anxious to get home and see their family as the staff is ready for a break and a breather from everything. I mean we do work 7 days a week.

The time here is great but, time off is one of great desire. We get a few nights off a term (two weeks) and an afternoon off. This time seems to fly as quickly as the days with the kids pass. I recently went to town with a few peers and enjoyed some non camp food and enjoyed being in a new environment. Wal-Mart is still annoying as all get out to be in!

But, I get July 5th through the 10th off and Have recently booked a flight back home. I'm sure my time back home will be stacked with visiting friends and family and will be shorter then I could ever imagine. I am so very excited to see everybody again. I will be home then and at the end of the summer either for good or to pack up and come back down to Texas for the internship. So far things seem to be in place and look fine. Just have to decide on what I want. 

The camp here is ran very differently and sometimes I like the way its ran and sometimes I question it. Just normal thoughts and wanting to make sure that I make the right decision with what I want to do with my life. I am still looking for jobs and have recently been in contact with a friend that works for Yahoo. We'll see where that goes and what the best opportunity is for me professionally and personally when the path comes. Everything happens for a reason.

I live day by day and focus on only a few things. Me having fun and making sure my kids have fun! So far that is a success and I have learned a lot about myself and life from my time here. So all in all things are great and a success! I hope you enjoy the few pics of the recently sprinkler party we had, a picture of me coaching (with a lacrosse helmet on), and history and heritage night...I got to be a cowboy brander!

Montana--a few photos worth your time!

BLOB PARTY!

So today I found out that my kids won cabin clean up for the first term (1A). Which for us equals...blob party! We will get a picnic and then blob during rest period! I could not be more excited to launch little guys into the air and watch them plummet in the water. Hopefully, it doesn't involve a face first or anything scary. We have lifeguards...should be fine!

My kids are the best, this session seems to be a little more out of control just because of a few new kids and then the others that will be here for a month are more and more comfortable. I envision some crazyness with them being here that long. I'm sure they will be ready to get outta here and visit home. I'll admit now I will miss some of them and ready to wave goodbye to others. However, I feel that in someway I am making a difference and have seen my boys already start to grow and develop self esteem. So I feel very good about that.

As you all know I'm going for this internship and I am hoping that it happens. I've met my future roomies and enjoy every minute I get to be around them. They are radical! We seem to get along great and have a lot in common. I've convinced one of the interns to put "No Excuses" on the backside of her name tag. So every chance we get when we tell someone to do something we rock the backside of the name tag and simply tell them No excuses. It's a lot cooler then my words can put on here. 

As I've started mt. biking on a regular basis I feel the urge to purchase a bike. If this happens it could be bad. There could possibly go my first check. Ohh the life and times of me...the bike would be legit tho! And I could rock some trails. We'll see if that really happens. 

Anyways I miss you all and will get back to you next time something amazing happens and can write about it. Tonight I get to use my boots and hat that I got in Montana with Ryan. Were doing a history and heritage night. Basically like an old western themed night doing things like having  bandits, branding, old photos and etc. Should be a great time. I'm gonna be doing some branding...hopefully not any children get in my our way...could be a bad news experience. Miss you all and hope all is well. Can't wait to talk to you soon!