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!

Been a couple

So I know it has been a couple of days. After I got back from Montana I really had to hit the ground running. I don't really have time to explain all these cool events that have happened since then so I figured a bulleted list would be fine? I hope so because here it goes.

• Crew won term 1A (won field day = big deal. Came down to me and other crew leader to win the race. I Michael Phelps'd the finish where he just yelled and flexed with his arms down. The famous picture of him after their relay win....yea pretty much the same level as winning field day.)
• Visited San Antonio again to just chill and get away on some of my free time off.
• Getting my new schedule and cabin boys today!
• My boys won skit night! BOOYA! I set that up.

So there have been an epic last couple of days and what not here at camp. Been super busy and don't see that getting any easier or less busy. I'm going to gun to be a Division Advisor for the second term. Trying to get all of that figured out and do all of that. I think it'd be a great opportunity and gonna see what I can do with what I get. So far I am pumped for this next session and see where this next term will take us. Miss you all.

Montana

 So Montana has come and gone. I can't explain and say enough about it. I was left speechless and couldn't do the trip justice with out being in person to describe it. I can't post enough pictures and didn't take enough to capture the beauty and amazement of the trip.

Day one was filled with travel and amazing gifts and sights of the Montana skyline filled with Mountains. We socialized, sorted our free stuff, and caught each other up on what we've been up to. 

Day two we did sport shooting, mountain biking, and the off road experience. The experience was great we got behind the wheel of H1 hummers and pushed them to the max. We're talking two wheels off the ground and all sorts of obstacles like logs and ditches.

Day three we hit up Yellowstone. We drove around and saw two grizzly bears, and several elk, and the wonders of Yellowstone. Then we ended up with the "Big Sky Party." We exchanged e-mails with friends we met and had a good time.

The last day was a sad long day. We flew out around 1 o'clock and then hung out in Denver for a few then split our ways. That was a very very tough goodbye watching the bro board the plane closer to home home as I go to fly solo back to Texas. That was rough. I miss home and seeing my family and friends like ya'll wouldn't believe. 

However things here are great! My kids won the talent show, and jumped right back into the big picture of everything. Its a lot hotter here then in Montana thats for sure! The trip was one of a lifetime! I couldn't thank Ryan enough and can't imagine doing something that amazing again. So Ryan I thank you my bro bro. Miss you all and can't wait to talk to you all. I'll hopefully get pictures up soon and I'm sure I'll rant on this trip until you all are sick of it! 

Love ya'll

Mt. Bike trip.

This one will be short and sweet. This is a view from the Rattlesnake place I have been blogging about. This is the view from the top where me and a few other guides and campers biked up to. The degree of difficulty was pretty intense and I have yet to see a guide ride up or down w/ out walking the bike up some slope. Maybe due, to watching the kids but either way. This is 10 + year olds biking up to the peak of a mt. to see this view. The will power and determination of these kids is amazing!

Mountain biking and backpacking!

So unfortunately we had a guide that had to leave. So I picked up his classes. I am more than ok with that. I picked up two periods of Mt. biking a day and a backpacking class. This is awesome! I am three times as busy and couldn't love it more!

Today in my mt. biking class we rode up an intense hill and rode up to rattlesnake where the awesome overlook is. The ride down was crazy. Unfortunately we had a few wipe outs but the kids were champions. I've never seen some kids so determined and down to get back up on the bike. It was very inspiring and good to see the drive and determination in the kids. It was very inspiring to me and made the trip worth it....even in there was a small amount of blood shed...the kid was pumped!

In backpacking I taught them how to properly pack a bag and then we learned how to make a fire and light a lantern. I'm pumped to do this because I feel that I will learn a lot as well as I take them on my learning journey with me. It will be awesome!

So the nights continue to be amazing. Yesterday was Green Night. We had games like frisbee, live music, and tye-die. We jammed and were hippies for the night. And tonight we had a group come in and perform live music. The kids are awesome and pumped for everything. Its such an inspirational place to drive not only yourself but others to be nothing but the absolute best.

p.s.- for those of you that know me know me...im surviving off of Mt. Dew. Its crazy I know!

I love and miss you all....if anybody runs across a sweet deal on a mt. bike or a camel back I'd love love love to have it go down! Miss you all!

SUMMIT---My Cabin.

So far this place is still amazing! I've blob'd and helped out just about all over camp. My mains of transportation the other day was a mountian bike as I chased down walkie talkies to label them. I have 7 campers to myself and they are all awesome awesome kids!

I was also the crew leader for my crew the "Trackers!" We had crew drawings and we developed our crew a little bit deeper and had our first meeting and event as a crew yesterday. We did a guide hunt yesterday where I basically stood in the middle of camp and cheered them on! It was pretty intense. The kids love their crew and love wearing our color (red). I know realize how little red I own...the Camp store may or may not be getting some of my pay check!

So far that's about all that has happened. Tonight we are having a camp out. We will cook our own dinner and hang out at an old house where they rebuilt it and there is nothing in their except room for cots for us. Should be an awesome night. I am super super pumped for my trip with Ryan to Montana. I'm excited to see a familiar face and fly again. Its been a while. Love and miss you all. I took some awesome pics just haven't had a chance to get them on here to see. There is a spot where the older girls are camping tonight called " Rattlesnake" where you can over see the whole camp. That pic will be up soon. Miss and love you all!

TREEHOUSE HEAVEN!

Let's get official and get there quick! Today we received our cabin assignments and more training. Training was basically the stuff I already knew big deal! Let's not waste time on that...lets get to the bigger and better news!

Today I got the news that I would be in the treehouse cabins! I'm a single counselor for about 7 older kids. The kids get to do whatever they want really and I just assist them. So I am living in an awesome tree house cabin overlooking our own lake where we can swim, fish, and sail! Yes I said sail. They teach sailing over at our lake.  The cabins are awesome and the bathroom and showers are not attached to our living area. They are off the the side and each side of the treehouse has their own sink, shower, and restroom. Again fixed up beautifully! There is then an open patio area that connects the two. This place is beautiful!

I also found out that I will become a crew leader this summer! This means that I am in charge of half of the camp!!! The kids on opening day select a crew and they are either an Explorer (yellow) or a Tracker (red). I will be one of two crew leaders for the Trackers. I'm gonna be decked out in red constantly and I will tell the kids I love it so much my hair is red! I'll probably be requesting my Jabbawockeez mask be sent soon so I can decorate it to wear to pump up the kids! I'm am super super stoked! It is basically its own lil private organization here at camp. We even have our own secret area (outpost) where we hold meetings with them.

This news today could not have gotten any better! I am living in a treehouse with my own lake and will be in charge of half the kids and basically being super excited and pumped for life all summer long. I am completely ready to do this and lead my Trackers and cabin to pure awesomeness. My cabin is called "Summit." I don't think today could have gotten any better. 

You man notice that I am writing this a little earlier then normal. That is because we have a free night and I am about to eat some pizza and then hopefully get to the BLOB!!! Yea thats right. I'm gonna play on the water trampoline and the almighty blob! The kids come tomorrow at 2 and I find out who's on my side. The Trackers! Love and miss you all!

Training and Getting more knowledge.

As I right this I find myself sitting outside away from the crowd of counselors and teachers. It is not that I am not talkative or being anti social. I am sitting outside with itunes on and jamming out. I have yet to take in the place where I am and staying. The scenery here is simply unreal. I am sitting outside the back patio of the lake lodge looking over the lake and the mountains at a full moon. This place is amazing. The ideals here and ideas are endless and seem to always going bigger and bigger.

We had several training periods and I was curious on what was I gonna do. What would my summer consist of. I want to take on a task but, not just one class and not just a simple thing here or there. I want and need something bigger. I know this thanks again to Wonderland. I wanted to know everything I could about camp and learn the most possible about everything. 

I talked to the owner a little yesterday and really had time today to discuss my role and what I would be doing. I am going to be helping out with activities and programming. I am going to make sure that everything is happening that needs to at each activity and looking to see and dream of what could be bigger and better. I will also help with evening activities and what not. All of which is very familiar to myself from my many wonderful years at Wonderland. I will also hopefully become a division advisor where I will overlook a group of cabins. After talking to a few of the already interns I will be a busy man but, in a good way. And was informed that I seem to be right on track with what they were looking for. Which is very comforting. The staff here is great!

So tonight we had dinner...steak and potatoes. Yea not like small steaks but real big steaks and actual potatoes with every topping you could want. I am basically at a summer resort...and getting paid to be here. This is awesome. Also, today the blob came out. I hope to get on that sucker soon...maybe tomorrow!!!! Didn't have time for mt. bikes but, thats fine. Tomorrow is more training and the night off. I will hopefully smash out that blob in my free time and get situated to my new living arrangements for the summer. I am stoked to see what is next. 

I also received my plane tickets today for my trip with Ryan to Montana! I can't even imagine how awesome this trip is going to be. The vacation of a lifetime to spend a few days just me and the bro. This summer so far will prove to be one to never forget and one that I will grow and develop myself to a whole other character to improve upon the framework already set. I am very excited for this summer and  whats to come. However, I miss you all so much and think about you all the time. I would love for you all to see this beautiful place! Much love and God bless!

First Full Day

So today was my first full day here at camp. We started the day with some breakfast and then some free time to do whatever we wanted while the rest of the staff scattered in. So me and a few new friends one from another state and one another country decided to ride some trails mt. bike style.

We went out with the kid that teaches mt. biking and hit the trails. After a solid rain from the night before there were some muddy spots along the trail. The ride was good and decently challenging. I was excited to see that it's actually mt. biking not kids riding on gravel. Its the real deal. So as we exit the trail and hit the main road back I get a flat back tire...Lucky me right?

So no worries w/ the tire. I then did some odd and end jobs to help get camp ready. This was a good choice. I met some hire up staff  aka the leadership team and hung out with the people that I will hopefully be working for and with in the off season. Then we had lunch and me and two guys decided to hit another trail on the bikes. This one was a lil warmer and a lot more challenging. Rode through some old river bottoms and a small creek. It was now time for some staff training.

Training was very good and energetic. We did the typical few icebreakers and then hit the books. I talked to the director about a position that I believe I'll get which is called a division leader. This would mean I over look a group of cabins. I won't necessarily work with just one group of kids but, a group of cabins. Thus, launching myself into leadership roles and what not. Very excited about that.

We then ended the night learning to cook with a dutch oven...not the funny blanket joke but the real thing. We cooked our own desert over coals and now I  am writing this. So far camp proves to be very adventurous and all about having fun, and challenging ourselves and each other. I am very all about my decision to come here right now. The experiences I for see happening seem to be ones that will easily be surpassed and making me know that I'll grow from this experience.

I greatly miss you all and wish that I could share more of my experience with you all. I wish I had cell phone service so I could actually talk to you all. Your voices will be greatly missed and I already miss talking to you all. I constantly find myself talking about Wonderland. I am blessed to have had that experience and those people in my life. They have definitely geared me to be the person I am today and believe that they have set me up for the success and experiences I'll gain from here in Texas. I love and thank you all for being part of my life!

Camp....the first real impression

So this afternoon I said goodbye and drove off to middle of nowhere Texas solo. Arrived at camp a little early to find some familiar faces that I've talked to and a lot of unfamiliar faces. I think that I've met people from at least 2 different countries and 10 states. So far I'm the only one holding down Missouri!

We started off getting into the cabin and just killing time until dinner. First off...if the food here is as good as it was today all summer....I'll be one healthy eatin dude and it was delicious! I'm not just saying that to boost camp but, it really was good. So we then did a small hike on one of the trails to a camp fire and did some smores. 

So the rest of the night I've hung out and made plans to ride some mt. bikes in the am...Camp should be good.

Pre Camp

Why hello all my wonderful fans! haha...just had to say that. So just wanted to remind everybody that my cell phone is going to be basically a giant pice of plastic and metal sitting around this summer! aka cell phone service down in the boondocks ain't exactly happening. I know I know the cowboys really need to jump on the band wagon with modern technology. Bigger in Texas? Not the cell phone coverage area! So my main lines of communication are going to be as follows...a.) snail mail b.) e-mail, c.) facebook, and d.) this here blog.

My e-mail address is at the top right of the screen and feel free to e-mail me anytime. It'd be great to hear from all of you and even the little two liners about absolutely nothing are wonderful. Your lives and happenings are what made me who I am and I love to hear from and about you just as much as you wanna hear from me. So, this is it...next post will be from lovely middle of nowhere Texas....my new summer get-a-way.

PADRE BABY!

So North Padre island was our sweet vaca' spot yesterday. After an awesome time in San Antonio with the mom's couldn't expect anything less from a good time at the beach. Our hotel butted up with the beach. The place had live music, and a bar...very bueno!

We arrived early so we decided to walk the beach. Me being the awesome ginger I am decided to go shirtless....thats fine! Figure a quick walk on the beach couldn't hurt. I'm pasty...I could use all the sun I can get to spare people from needing sunglasses just to look my direction with out a shirt. So we walked, and walked, and walked...I got burnt! No big deal just a little miserable today...egh no worries.

Monday: we decided to shop a local surf shop and check out a the Texas State Aquarium. It was pretty rad...however, definitely not bigger in Texas. Come on now Texas this is your "state aquarium?" Step it up. It was nice and decent sized but, not gonna lie kinda lame size for Texas.  We then hit a roadblock...not literally but, didn't know what to do next. The long hot days and being on the run 5 days straight were catching up to me. I'm down to just relax and visit a bed to chill on...so we did. Tomorrow I can tell will be a day mixed with emotions. 

Tomorrow I say goodbye to the momma. This will def. prove not to be easy. As all goodbye's suck I can tell this one is going to possibly jerk a few tears. Mom, is my best friend...its going to be tough but, I am excited to see where the summer takes me. This pre camp vacation has proved to be one full of memories with the mom that will never loose place in my mind and heart of a great time. Love ya momma! Next time you hear from me...I'll probably know where I'll spend the rest of my summer and a better idea of where Texas will take me. Loves!