This summer... I was given the opportunity to move up in my position at camp and I accepted it-- faithful in my own abilities to time manage and organize a new position. So far I have proven that fact to myself but there are still some days where I struggle to feel like I 'fit' in my new titles. A big part of my new position is managing personnel issues between staff and, frankly, attitude adjustments. I have dealt with a lot of hurt feelings and back talking, along with unfair conditions and expectations. This job is giving me so many good experiences in managing staff and handling conflict , which can apply to many other areas of life than employment and work. One of my coworkers and I were talking about personality differences between staff. She informed me that she considers me a diplomat; that people know I can solve issues and keep the feelings of others in mind while doing so. She said I am intimidating...guilty as charged. I have a big personality and stay true to myself in all situations. Another friend said this year that I have several different 'selves'. As in I can be different people in different situations. I have a teacher self, a gallery director self, a private self, a social self.. the list goes on. He made it sound like I have multiple personality disorder to be honest! But it makes sense - I am adaptable to most situations and can adjust my personality and approach with caution into conflicts. As I spend more time managing more people (of varying ages as well!) I become more comfortable with conflict resolution and helping others sort through their issues. I hope that this motivation to help and resolve tension will translate into teaching as well. So far it has leaked into every aspect of my being it seems!
But back to the post.. as stated in a previous post, I was given the position of Head Maintenance at the summer camp where I work. I was already in the position of Arts and Crafts Director at the camp and was later given the opportunity to start Archery and Fishing programs as well. It's been a great year for camp and our programs are stronger than ever. Enrollment is up and interest with it - kids are really excited for camp and the deans and counselors are as well. It feels good to be able to provide so many services to so many people - young and old - on a weekly basis.
That being said... there are some very challenging days. Sometimes it's a busted heater, sometimes the ATV won't start when we have to haul logs, sometimes an angry volunteer finds bees under their car. More often than not there are conflicts in the dish room about who is washing what and people asking the time when they really should be cranking out a job before they need to leave. It's a daily grind that can literally grind - like when the tires chewed up the beach front area when we were trying to move the canoe rack! I have learned a lot about the vehicles at camp and am gaining valuable knowledge about tools and trades which I have experienced in small doses previously. I hired two new maintenance workers who have worked in plumbing, carpentry, and other vocational areas and I rely on them heavily for most maintenance jobs and fix-ups. I make sure to make the time to learn from them and help when and where I can. Mainly, my job is to be a supervisor and delegate jobs to the workers - from across camp departments. I have nearly all the camp workers to help me with my day-to-day repairs and cleaning jobs--with a simple call of the radio I can send a staff member to whatever needs to be done. It's great and the camp is looking better than ever! We had a board meeting last week and the Buildings and Grounds committee was over the moon about the progress we have made. We are working extremely hard and long 12+ hour days and we have beautiful grounds and facilities to show for it. I am finally getting into a schedule of sorts and can designate certain days for trash runs, recycling center trips, shopping, etc. It's all about prioritizing and I have learned to do that from every angle possible. I have had many more good and productive days than I have had frustrating and 'defeat' days. I tend to think that the good outweighs the bad and plan for busy days to keep everyone motivated and working together. Last week we had our second biggest group of campers, Summer Games camp. I was not in the craft cabin at all and spent the entire week doing and planning maintenance jobs. It was a very productive week all things considered - things being extra clean up chores, picking up rather disgusting things off the bathroom floors, and hauling water across camp grounds to the various play areas. I find that the staff can accomplish one of my infamous day lists regularly and lately much faster than anticipated! Everyone is chipping in to make camp a more welcoming, clean, bright, and well-kept place.
This week is Junior High and it is the BIGGEST camp ever. 79 kids plus counselors and deans.. it's a full house here at Camp Michigamme! And I am doubly excited because I will be able to craft to my heart's content this week. Finally, back to the job I was hired to do haha! I have big plans for the Junior High campers - and the schedule is going to fight me every step of the way. I have a block of craft time right after breakfast until lunch time. THEN AGAIN at 4 and 5. At 4 I will be teaching Archery and then at 5 the campers have free time which they normally spend in Rockland. Noooo big deal, right? Just have to find lots of jobs to keep the maintenance crew and staff busy!
On that note, I have to plan for three different daily groups with rotation and eeehhhh.... I am really excited. That eehhh was excitement! I will be planning three different crafts per day and then rotating by day and group. I have two bags of Quickrete that I want to break out for some crafts. I found an interesting craft which is making succulent planters out of concrete. I also want to try out sand candles, possibly paracord bracelets if I can get the supplies needed... after the board meeting on Thursday I received some laminate samples from a trustee and I want to use those in crafts, too! I am thinking of cutting them in half and having the campers make pendants..
I will do what I can to post on Wednesday but its going to be a busy crazy week so I make no promises! I felt so bad typing this up FINALLY :O I will try my best to not wait longer than a week between posts. Lots of work ahead of me before tomorrow morning.... here we go! Back to it :)
Ms. Kanak
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