King of the Camp

I think I mentioned this in a video a while back (though I haven’t posted in a while so who knows if I’m lying or what), but this summer I have a job. A real job, unlike last year. I mean, I did get paid for a couple things last year, but it was few and far between, since I was mostly freelancing. Anyways, point is, this year I have a job with a regular paycheck and shifts and everything. What is that job, you ask? Answer: Camp counselor/coach at a summer sports camp.

That might sound a bit weird if you know me as I am right now. You know, speech and debate aficionado, writer/blogger/videoblogger extraordinaire, introverted reader, etc. In short, a giant nerd.

But six years ago, nerdy as I was, I could have also been considered something of a jock. Seriously. I played about every sport you can think of: soccer, baseball, volleyball, basketball, swim team, fencing, track, karate (for a month), tennis, you name it, I’ve probably played it at some point. And I loved it. I loved and [present tense] love sports. It’s the only type of exercise I can lose myself in, and the only time that my overly-aggressive personality is somewhat acceptable.

Being a coach for kids ages 3-13 is strange, though, so many years removed from my own athletic endeavors. Surrounded by my high school and college athlete coworkers, I almost feel like a fraud. Who am I to teach a kid how to play football when I’ve gone to a grand total of two high school football games in my entire life?

But it’s worked out. I’m better than I originally gave myself credit for. Against all my unfit odds, I’m actually really good at my job. I love sports, I love kids, and I love playing sports with kids. Match made in heaven.

Even though I have to be careful what I say since I am working with kids and I don’t want to get fired from the best summer job ever, I just wanted to share some of my favorite/craziest moments from the past three weeks.

-I’ve played one (me) vs. five (campers) basketball and won, barely.

-I’ve almost lost a HORSE game to a seven year old because he kept making granny shots that I just couldn’t imitate.

-I’ve been crawled all over by three six year olds, at the same time

-I’ve been beaned by dodgeballs from ten year olds

-I’ve been dragged into a money-borrowing scheme by an eight year old by assuring the kids he was trying to borrow from that I would call his parents the next day if he didn’t pay them back

-I’ve put more sunscreen on kids in three weeks than I’ve put on myself in my entire life

-I’ve fixed up wasp stings, skinned knees, scratched fingers, bruised noggins, and all other manner of bloody injuries.

-I’ve been called “mommy”

-I’ve given piggie backs and punishments

-I’ve taught a four year old how to throw a football

-And I’ve had a hell of a lot of fun.

It’s an exhausting job, but the rewards make it absolutely and completely worth it. But we’ll see how I feel after another couple weeks.

By the way, the picture up there is a screen shot from a video I filmed after a kid accidentally clawed me in the face during an impromptu basketball game.