In middle March, with plans on putting our new Senior Camper building in the ground, we woke up to a big surprise. And then watched that surprise get bigger… and bigger… and bigger!
Just about three FEET of snow fell onto Camp Weequahic between March 14th and 15th. It was an impressive dump for so late in the year. Everything was covered. It would have made for some pretty incredible sledding!
And that leads me to this point for this Friday’s Campfire: you can figure out ways to make the best of almost any situation. There are really very, very few things I can think of when this idea does not apply. You know the phrase “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade?” Well… when life gives you three feet of snow, go sledding!
Now, I’m not suggesting that things won’t always be perfect. Three feet of snow certainly does put a damper on a few of our plans for the coming week. But does it help if we get all bent out of shape about things?
No, of course, it doesn’t.
We can get frustrated and stew for a bit. But, if you want to move forward and make the best of a situation, you’ve got to make some plans or workarounds. Sometimes we feel we have to be perfect and that everything needs to go exactly as planned.
Sometimes we feel we have to be perfect and that everything needs to go exactly as planned. Having run a summer camp for sixteen years, I can promise you very, very few things go exactly as planned. (Remembering my experiences when going through middle school, high school, and college only adds weight to that conclusion!)The important thing to remember is where you are trying to get to. If you are dealing with a friendship, you want to make that relationship awesome. If you are running a summer camp, you want to help families create great humans. (We do it by creating an amazing experience for everyone we meet through gratitude, attitude, and courage.)
The important thing to remember is where you are trying to get to. If you are dealing with a friendship, you want to make that relationship awesome. If you are running a summer camp, you want to help families create great humans. (We do it by creating an amazing experience for everyone we meet through gratitude, attitude, and courage.)
We’ll get through the snow just as we’ll get through anything we put our mind to. We will need to ask for help to get unstuck at times. And, sometimes, we have to use the tools available to us in creative ways. Sure, it may be a little embarrassing but those experiences are fantastic learning situations. Plus, you can laugh at yourself a bit which is always beneficial.
So, when plans don’t go exactly as you want, give yourself a few moments to be frustrated. Then, make a plan and move forward. In most situations, there are lots of ways to get things done. You just have to be creative. And, make sure to have a little fun along the way.
Have a great weekend,
Cole
(PS – As I finished up typing this, Jerry F., our long time Operations Director, facetimed me while walking around camp… in a tshirt! It seems Camp Weequahic can’t wait for summer!)
