So, from December 26 to new year's eve, I had some of the best days of my short little life.

I had volunteered to work at Winter Camp earlier in the year, and kind of forgot about it. But as December arrived, camp was fast approaching.

I was the only female youth on staff.

In a boy scout camp.

With 941 boys.

Needless to say, by the second or third day, I received celebrity status.

My days were spent working with a few other guys, selling, hauling, doing other menial tasks. In the morning, I was an assistant for flag ceremonies. In the evenings, I helped conduct flag retirement ceremony. Late at night, I emceed skit night, theme night, even closing ceremonies.

The people I met and strengthened my friendships with really made the trip for me.
A certain coworker stood up for me several times, and even helped out when I was in a time of emotional crisis.
A Venturer friend of mine offered crash space, which I gladly accepted. That was amusing, to say the least.
Mama Bee, my manager of sorts, was a really good mother figure to have during my time away from home.
My Program Managers were awesome. Even if they couldn't stand me at times.

Too many memorable experiences to list. However, Friday ranked up there.
I worked through the morning. About noonish, I walked down to the shotgun range and shot a few rounds. It was a total blast. No pun intended.

Late in the afternoon, my friend Patrick and I walked to the Indian Lore area to help the teachers take down their stuff. We showed up just in time for smudging, a native American blessing by smoke. It's normally intended to drive out bad influence, and to cleanse. It was well timed. I was having an emotional meltdown. Afterwards, I felt...calm. Either way, we helped them take things down and pack up their regalia. I got to hold a forbidden ghost dance staff...and get this...a hollow skin timberwolf hide. no joke. this thing was the size of a small horse and fluffy and PURE WHITE. That hour and a half I spent with those three men was something I will not forget in quite some time.

That night, with closing ceremonies...The music. The dancing. The singing. Just...being there. It was almost magical.

All in all...I wouldn't trade those five days for the world. I could have...sat home and done nothing. Like a slug. But just through what I did...I regret nothing. But I miss it. I really want to go back.

Advance warning. Don't expect me to be available at all in June--I'm staffing another camp in the hill country. <3