We just returned from Dylan's 6th grade environmental camp. And like most things, our school doesn't do them in the traditional sense. So we don't go to Woodleaf where there are cabins. Nope. We pack up 55 kids in the pouring down rain and drive through the pouring down rain. And we drive some more. And ultimately, we arrive in the rain forest. (No, really!)
God blessed us with some periods of clear(ish) skies. Most importantly, on about 10 of the 12 miles that we hiked on Thursday. It didn't rain until about the last 2 miles into camp, so it was a major, major blessing! It also stopped raining long enough for us to set up camp, and although it had poured all night and much of the morning, it cleared long enough for us to actually take down our muddy and wet camp.
Laying in my tent at night, listening to the rain pound down on the canvas just above me, gave me lots and lots of time to think. Here's some of the thoughts that I encountered:
- I really do love to camp.
- I really am a fair-weather camper.
- But the inclement weather didn't kill me.
- I love that our 6th grade teachers are so committed to their program that they would undertake something this labor-intensive, in the pouring-down rain.
- Although I don't agree with everything they do or how they do it? I love, love, love our staff.
- And although there are 100 things our school could do better? They got it right in 6th grade.
- I remembered how much I love kids. Yep, even kids that are not mine!
- I realized that not only do I like these kids, for the most part, they like me. Even though I can be a real hard-ass at times. (There are definitely a couple of kids that DON'T like me. And actually, the feeling is mutual. But I won't name names. Or even initials!)
- I remembered how drama-filled 6th grade can be for girls.
- I don't mind being the mom that these girls come to, crying about their hurt feelings. I love to give them a hug, tell them "chin up" and "let it go". And I love that at the end of the day? I don't have to live with all that drama. At least not for several years!
- I miss tent camping. Although sleeping on the ground really does get harder as you get older.
- I really wish that the drive to the North Coast was just a little bit shorter. And straighter.
- I am a little bit of a control freak. Coordinating a food plan that was pre-determined by someone else? Was a little hard for me. But not as hard as it was for my dear friend, Robyn. The difference there? I'm medicated! Otherwise, it could have made me bat-shit crazy!
- I am a badass Mom. So are all the other Moms who made the trip. Badass Moms rock!
Altogether? Amazing trip. The kids loved it. All the boys in my car declared it was their favorite field trip ever. That made every muddy, wet minute worth it. 100x over.
And just a little FYI, if you're traveling 101 in the North Coast? According the boys in my car, the fact that the Arcata Chevron had a milkshake "machine", was one of the coolest parts of the entire trip. f'real milkshakes, to be specific. One of the boys even said he was going to ask his mom if they could come back this summer so he could get another milkshake. (I'm thinking they aren't worth the 9+ hour round trip and fairly certain they exist in other gas stations as well.) But it was funny nonetheless. And yes, I had one too. It was pretty delicious!
Now, back to getting all of our gear dried out and put away.
Comments