As CYC 2010 has come to an end, so my first year as an AC has been concluded. The experience is not one that I feel I can summarize in a few words, so this note's going to be extra long. I wanted to make sure I wrote this note when memories and feelings were still at a peak, so read as much as you'd like.
When I first received notice that I had the opportunity to be an AC, I was definitely excited, but also unsure of what to expect. With the particular age group assigned, the children could be a variety of things: adorable, annoying, agreeable, cute, confused, cooperative, exciting, dull, shy, not quite out there, you name it. I had always worked well with kids before though, so I felt fairly optimistic.
At the time, of the counselors and ACs assigned to group 5, I only knew Monica. This in itself was already comforting though, as I had seen before that she loves kids and as I felt that she had the ability to lead us well. As the four of us began facebooking each other regarding plans for the group, I felt more and more comfortable with our mix of counselors and ACs. I had not yet met Ica or Jerry in person, but I was certainly excited to meet them.
So came along training, when the foundations for our group were set very successfully. I finally met Ica and Jerry, and as training progressed, we grew more and more comfortable with each other and working together as a team. In the two days of training, we managed to complete all the scheduled activities, make all necessary preparations, and most surprisingly, plan out our talent show. At this point, I was confident that Monica, Jerry, Ica, and I would work together as an outstanding team, and I believe that this past week of camp has proven me correct.
The first day has crept up on us, and the long-awaited CYC 2010 begins. We arrive at CCC; we load buses with the wonderfully appetizing asparagus juice and other drinks, our luggages, and everything else; we take pictures before departure and after arrival, etc. etc. etc. This next part to me was really exciting - waiting for all the campers to arrive. Besides reuniting with long-separated friends, I also really looked forward to meeting my campers. So I waited in my suite for the campers to arrive, and I remember William and Andres being the first ones in the suite that I met. Then and there, I made sure they knew that we were going to be the best group, just because I said so xD As the other campers arrived one by one, I told them the same thing, and also talked with some of the parents. I was becoming more and more excited for camp.
After opening ceremony, I recall thinking that I only had to sit with my campers for the first day, and that I would be able to sit with my friends the following day. That feeling disappeared pretty quickly, and it wasn’t until towards the end of camp that I made that realization. I wouldn’t rather sit anywhere else but with my campers. We really do grow together as a family. As ACs and counselors, or at least to me, it really did feel like they became our children. In a week’s time, being with them practically 24/7, taking care of them, watching over them, participating in everything with them, spending time with them, guiding them, listening to them, all of these things and more – you may not realize it at first, but for me, they grew closer to me than I would’ve ever imagined. Though we are the counselors, every single camper taught me a lot throughout the week. With such varied personalities, you get a bit of everything, and learn to deal with a bit of everything. In some cases, we weren’t always happy with the situation, but through these experiences, we grew even more.
As for Monica, Jerry, Ica, and me, the alone time sessions we had in the study rooms were among the greatest memories of camp. We had our own little party in there. Besides being extra efficient at getting our work done, we also had our own little party in there. They carried out a performance of Blame It on the Pop to me, as I was apparently the only one who hadn’t memorized the crazy mix of like 20 songs. I remember staring at them awkwardly, since I was odd one out =P Here, we also enjoyed gossiping amongst ourselves, but the content of those conversations is confidential. :]
Back to the campers – repetitive as this may sound, seeing them grow really was heartwarming. My boy campers’ folkdance preparation and performance really made me proud. Initially, it took a bit of time to get them into the circle they were supposed to form, but not too long after, without any guidance from any of us, they were able to do it smoothly by themselves. Some of our campers were even able to take charge and command the group. Come time for the talent show, it took no more than 2 rehearsals for most of them to get it down fairly well. In fact, most of our rehearsals took place on the day of the talent show, and I definitely feel they did a great job during the actual performance. As camp progressed, each one of them also became gradually better-behaved and more active in all of the activities. Seeing this, I really felt proud that I was a part of their improvement and development, and I’m sure the others felt the same way.
You see how much the kids really trust you, look up to you, care about you, want to spend time with you, and you feel you’ve accomplished something. The feeling when you realize these things is just wonderful – that you’ve been successful, that you’ve carried out your responsibilities, that your campers have enjoyed your presence and guidance. During closing ceremony, I was surprised I didn’t much react to the slideshow, but by the time we brought our campers behind the curtains to let parents check them out, at a random point in time, my tears just started flowing out. I looked around at them all, and realized how much we have all been through together, how much we have all grown together, and how much I would really miss them. I went around hugging all the campers, kind of at a loss for words. I noticed some of the campers crying too, which touched me even further. It showed me that they enjoyed camp as much as I did, and that they will miss camp as much as I will. My experience as an AC felt complete.
Here, I’d like to thank Monica, Jerry, and Ica for being such great counselors and partners to work alongside, and for doing as much as you all did to make our group so successful. I feel so fortunate we were chosen to be a team, and that we ended up meshing so well together. I couldn’t have asked for better.
To our campers – we really were proud being your counselors and ACs this year. We really enjoyed spending the week with you all, and truly do care about you. By the end of camp, you could see how sad we were to leave. We thank you for teaching us so much, for giving us so much, for making our week such a success. I remember after camp, on our way home, we got a text from Andres. “I promise that me and my brother wont fight next year” You have no idea how much that meant to us. Thank you again to all of our campers for making our experience unforgettable.
I’d also like to thank another individual who truly was a big part in us counselors’ success – our advisor, Chris Liu. Throughout the entirety of camp, he always did everything in his greatest power to help us in every which way possible. Chris always trusted us and was always encouraging us. He never gave us a hard time, but also always made sure that we were getting our jobs done. Us four were always talking about how awesome he is, and we really are beyond grateful for everything he has done. I hope you liked our yearbook page, and on behalf of Monica, Jerry, Ica, and me – Thank you, Chris, from the bottom of our hearts.
And once again, thank you to everyone out there who made my CYC 2010 experience so spectacular. My AC experience truly was unforgettable.
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