Summer Camp 2010 - Day 4

Apparently I look like Santa Claus, or at least according to about half of my kids:

7 year-old girl: "When you first came in on Monday I thought you were Santa Claus."
Me: "What? Me?"
Girl:"Yeah you look like Santa Claus."
Me: "...how?"
Girl: "I don't know you just do. With all the scruffies on your face."
10 year-old boy: "It's true. You do," while nodding his head in agreement.

And then all the kids who were listening to our conversation began to nod their heads as well. I guess it doesn't help that I'm wearing a vibrantly red shirt.

Later on in the day, we were crammed in the tiny art room, which can only hold about 15 people comfortably. I was the only counselor in the room with about 35 kids to look over, and they were being extremely difficult on top of that. They were bored, I guess, and it was too many for me to wrangle. So I was just sitting by the door making sure they didn't get too crazy. This 5 year-old boy who looks somewhat like a tiny Kevin James (the guy from Mall Cop and The King of Queens), Tyler, was sitting next to me and he went on this tangent talking about how his dad was a police officer, and how "he only puts away the bad girls." He was so serious, and so determined to make order in midst of this chaos that was happening in the room.

"My dad puts away the bad girls. Only the bad girls. And the bad boys too. I'm playing security guard right now, so don't distract me." He managed to get two of his other 5 year-old friends to play that game with him. This tiny chinese boy, Eric, had his water bottle (which he called his Ice Blaster) ready to squirt at anyone who wasn't listening to directions. I've never seen a kid so serious about law enforcement.

At the end of the day when there were only 5 kids remaining--one of them being Tyler--we made our way back into the aerobics room. They were running around all over the place, being as crazy as ever. Next thing I know the awesome janitor from the first day made his guest appearance once again.

And then amazing happened.

"Who wants to learn some Tai Chi?" as he turns on some Enya.

Enya? Enya.

The kids were so confused, and they all looked at me with these blank stares on their faces not knowing how to react. I was right there with them.

"Ok everyone look at yourself in the mirror. Feel the energy flow from your soul to your fingertips. Breathe in. Bend your knees." as everyone else stumbled along. I was following along too, and I could barely keep a straight face. Tyler wasn't having any of this. 5 seconds in and he was gone, running around in circles shouting the theme song from Cops. I lost it and I had to leave the room, leaving my kids in there with the Tai Chi master.

Needless to say I wish I knew that janitor guy better. I don't even know his name. He's hilarious.

Summer Camp 2010 - Day 1

So I've decided I'm gonna keep a log of any funny stories that happen at camp, since you guys told me you wanted to hear them and I won't be living in Long Beach to tell you as they happen. This way they're fresh.

First day of camp was absolutely crazy and one of the most unorganized things I've ever done. There are way more high school-age volunteers than there were at Los Altos, and not as many actual counselors. Basically that means that I have to supervise the kids as well as the volunteers, which is obnoxious. These volunteers are typical high school girls that don't really give a shit about anything but boys, their cell phones, and jason derulo.

Today, I was teaching my kids how to play soccer, and I tried to engage them by asking if anyone had seen the world cup match between USA and Ghana. One 8 year old boy, obviously very emotionally effected by the loss, replied, "Oh don't remind me of that horror," in such an offended tone. One of my volunteers, who's supposed to help set a good example, blurted, "I ain't watchin' that shit. I be wahtchin' the BEE EE TEE awards."

Thanks. You're helpful.

Later in the day, when all but about 15 of the kids had gone home, we were in the aerobics room with the mirrors, yoga mats, and light weights. The janitor was giving the kids a lecture about everything they weren't allowed to touch (which was essentially everything). He's this crotchety old man who seems like he hates kids. I was setting up chairs for a game of musical chairs, and next thing I know the janitor starts blasting techno through the surround-sound speakers--the type of techno you'd hear in a richard simmons routine. He randomly starts to look at himself dancing in the mirror, and slowly all the kids start to follow his moves. It was essentially a flash mob of kids dancing in sync with this man who was hopping around. Really amusing to watch. De-stressed me a little bit.

Regardless of all this I did enjoy it. Stay tuned for more as they come.