Almost Done with the First Week

After a truly rough first week, it's still rough. If you thought I was going to say it's getting easier, HA! It surprises me that so many parents would let their children walk out of the house without a basic understanding of manners or respect for authority figures. As I walk through the bunk in which these 31 girls (used to be 32 but one got chicken pox and thus is no longer here--led to a group of girls getting shots for it) live, they tell stories about calling their moms b***es and all sorts of nasty things.  It is truly sad to see so many bright girls doing so little with their lives and taking advantage of those around them.  Of course there are a handful of girls who are fantastic, who offer help to those around them and some are hysterically funny even if they don't mean to be.  I guess it's just about figuring out who the girls are on an individual basis.  The other day our group went on a 'white water' rafting trip down the Delaware River in which I was trapped in an inflatable raft with 6 mental terrorists who at one point threw all of their paddles overboard and refused to paddle. Then one lovely young lady decided to chuck my flip flops into the river after we made it to shore. How kind, right? Luckily another counselor managed to grab them for me.  While we were gone experiencing this wonderful adventure, head counselors from the camp were going through all of our things without telling us and without mentioning it to us after um illegal search and seizure?! Thanks. Thanks a bunch.

Today the older girls of the camp participated in something called Tribal Wars in which the four tribes of Iroquois, Navajo, Seminole, and Sioux competed against each other in relays with canoes and running and all that jazz (slightly racist but oh well). I guess the thing that gets me the most is that we're with these girls ALL the time. In the classic words of Adam Sandler, "You'd think he'd want some time to himself but he doesn't he's always around".  As a rule, counselors are not allowed to shower when the girls are in the bunk but they're always in the bunk so in my 20 minute time off I don't have time for anything but a shower and I wouldn't really consider that time off.  I don't want to make any commital statements here and now but at this point I don't think I'd ever choose a lifestyle that involves this constant neediness.  Apologies for ranting, and for no pictures, and for the lack of updates.  For the record, I have one Oreo left and will love anyone who would like to send me some soooo much (or just a letter would be fine too).

Although the campers here are all Jewish most of the staff is not and for the staff that do not feel the need to party at a lame bar located 30 minutes away by big ugly white vans, me and a few guys are trying to start a bible study on Tuesday nights here for the staff.  Praying for this to turn into a learning experience and that my mind does not warp under this ridiculous stress.

*Stressed and Disappointed*

Megan