Today was our second day of the 4-H Day Camp. If I had to describe today with one word it would be “success”. After saying goodbye to the campers yesterday, I was anticipating an exciting day today. When we arrived this morning multiple kids had already arrived. The campers were thrilled to get their tie-dye camp shirts this morning, after everyone got their shirts on we took our annual group photo with all of the campers, American and Dominican teens, and adults. Then we did a craft with them. We made fish out of CDs and coffee filters for them to take home.
Then we taught the kids about the water cycle. They acted as if they were a water molecule and went to the different stages water would go, and they got a bead to put on their necklace, rolled a die, and then went to that next stage in the cycle. They loved being able to run around and get some energy out. Then after eating lunch we taught them about the importance of the coral reef, they took play-dough and constructed a beach, water, the coral reef, and created multiple land and sea creatures. Then a hurricane (a bucket of water) went through and tested to see if the water would have harmed the animals.
Then the time they had all been waiting for, we loaded them up on a bus and took them to the beach. Unlike past years where many campers did not enjoy the “mushy” feeling in the ocean, we found an area that was more sandy. Throughout the day camp I got to know multiple campers, but do not get to spend much time with all of them. In the ocean I got to play with pretty much all of them. The kids requested time after time to jump off my shoulders into the water. I had such a great time in the water with them, I got to become even closer with them.
Then came the worst part of my week… saying goodbye. I created such a unique bond with so many kids, unlike any other. This year again I saw many of the same kids from past years, I loved watching their faces light up when seeing us again. This year we were fortunate enough to have the Peace Corps send 19 less fortunate kids to camp from Veron. I was glad to see that we were able to host kids from other places. Suzanne had mentioned that there is not a better feeling than getting a hug from one of them, she is completely right. It took everything in me not to shed a tear. One of the greatest things, was when they got their picture frames that they made yesterday with the group picture in it, they grabbed sharpies and approached every one of us teens and asked for a signature. It made me feel like a celebrity, which to them, we are. I will miss them all so very much, they all asked me if I will see them next year, I sure hope so, it is such an honor to represent Bath County, Virginia for such a great cause.
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