I Survived Church Camp

A few weeks ago I was approached to see if I could be the elementary camp nurse.  Last year James had thought about being a camp counselor so this wasn't a complete shock to think about going.  The only down-fall was that it was the week after the kiddos were to get home from Grandma and Grandpa Dinkel's so I wouldn't see them for 2 weeks.  James agreed to take off work so he could spend the week with them.

Sunday, after I got home from my high school reunion, I hurriedly showered and packed for camp.  I only was home for about an hour and half and then left for the church.  We were carpooling up to the camp site which was about 2 hours away.  I was nervous.  I had never been a peds nurse and this summer we are having such a long, severe heat wave and so I was afraid of what overexposure to the heat might do to the little ones.  But, I put my trust in God that He would give me wisdom and strength (and I had a crew back home praying for me, too!)

The group of counselors and staff always go up the night before the campers arrive to get everything set up.  We all stopped at Pizza Hut for dinner before making it to the camp.  Once we got there, I took inventory of the first-aid tub and bag.  From what I could tell, I was pretty well stocked up.  I had brought my stethoscope along just in case (which came in handy later on).  The pastor had been told that there was an apartment that was really nice for the staff so he arranged for me and the craft/music staff to stay there.  We were in for a rude awakening, though.  It was DIRTY, smelly and had huge spiders in it.  While not wanting to complain, I just decided that I would spend as little time as possible in there. 

Monday morning all the 3rd-5th graders arrived.  They were pumped for camp.  I went through each of their health history to make sure I had everything and also checked to see what meds they brought with them.  There were several who needed meds given either in the morning, night or both.  I made a daily check-list so I wouldn't miss anyone.  The pastor had earlier warned me that I would probably be bored because,in the past, there hadn't been much for the nurse to do.  Uh, this week was the big exception!

Monday morning started off with a male jr. counselor running a fever and was just feeling yucky.  I gave him meds, sent him to get some rest and then set my phone alarm for every 3 hours to check on him, give more meds, if needed, and push him to drink fluids (well, not literally "push", but strongly encouraged!) There were tummy aches, headaches, every time I turned around someone was complaining of some medical issue.  By the end of the day, I was tired.  I thought that surely it wouldn't be so busy for the rest of the week.  I was ready to relax and catch my breath.  I was getting ready to leave the dining hall late that night when my fellow roomies came to tell me and the pastor that they killed a gi-normous brown recluse spider.  They asked if they could possible move into the big cabin where all the other female counselors and campers were staying.  The pastor readily agreed and so I moved into a cabin with 3rd-4th grade girls (they were super excited to have the nurse in their room!)

Tuesday morning was busy, but I was able to get away for a little bit and watch a group boys go through the obstacle course challenge.  It was hilarious to see their little minds problem-solve.  Early in the afternoon, I went with a group to go tubing.  Now let me tell you, I am NOT a fan of lake water.  I am repulsed by the squishy bottom of the lake and things floating next to you while you're in the water.  I like my water crystal clear.  But, I thought I would suck it up and go on the tube.  After the campers and jr counselors had gone, it was a female counselor and my turn.  We both kneeled in the tube and held on for dear life.  We screamed, laughed, and had a great time.  I was happy that we didn't flip!  There was time for everyone to go again.  When it was our turn, I stressed to them that I didn't want to get thrown off.  That ride was way more bumpy than the first; I remember hitting a wave and then I was thrown in the water, but I was still hanging on.  I pulled myself back on the tube, but was never able to fully recover from that wave.  I eventually had to let go and was thrown from the tube.  Somehow I lost my left contact during that incident.  The female counselor was able to barely hang on and wasn't thrown off.  What a ride!  I'm still not convinced that there wasn't a conspiracy on board the boat to get me thrown off the tube =)

The jr counselor who had previously been sick felt better on Tuesday, but towards the evening, his fever came back and he felt really sick. He really needed to go home. The problem was that his mom was a female counselor and so someone needed to fill her spot.  That's where I came in.  The room I moved into the night before was this counselor's room so I volunteered to take her spot as the counselor so she could take care of her son.  I was a little worried because I was still crazy busy being a nurse and I didn't know how I was going to manage being a counselor as well.  The lady in charge of crafts had also moved into the room with me so we both decided that we would tag-team it when needed.  I was also blessed with an amazing jr counselor who was a tremendous help.

The rest of the week was still non-stop.  I would get calls late at night regarding campers who needed medical attention.  The only really scary moment, though, came late Wednesday night when I received a call that a boy camper was having a hard time breathing and the counselor thought he heard some wheezing.  I rushed to the dining hall to grab my stethoscope, first-aid bag and also the boy's home phone number so I could call the parents on my way to the cabin.  They told me he had no history of asthma or allergies.  Once I got there, I noticed his nose seemed pretty plugged up and when I listened to his lungs, I did hear some wheezing.  He was talking a mile a minute, though, without needing to stop for a breath so that was reassuring. Since I was very limited to what I could do to treat him and many campers' allergies were acting up because of the dry, windy conditions, I gave him some allergy medication and asked the counselor to keep a close eye on him and call me if anything changed.  I slept with my phone right beside me in bed that night and prayed that I wouldn't get a call.

The next morning this little camper came up to me right away and told me that the medicine I gave him worked and he was feeling ok.  I listened to him and could not hear any wheezing.  My heart was relieved!

Thursday afternoon was "Water Fun".  We played a relay game, had a water balloon toss, and then the counselors/jr counselors started an all-out war with some buckets filled with water.  I had just filled up a bucket and was on my way to get someone when a jr counselor asked if he could see it for just a minute.  Not thinking too much about it, I gave it to him and he dumped the whole thing on my head.  Absolutely frigid, but considering how hot it was outside, it felt refreshing, too.  I got the bucket back, filled it up and got a male counselor soaking wet.  He threatened to call my cell phone every hour that night.  I think the teens and adults had more fun with the water than the kids!

One of the most moving moments was Thursday night.  We were supposed to be outside at the amphitheater, but because of a storm, we had to be indoors.  The pastor washed the feet of the staff, jr counselors, and counselors and then the counselors/jr counselors took turns washing the feet of the campers in their room.  The lights were dim, a jr counselor played worship music on his guitar and everyone was silent.  So powerful...

The next morning we packed up our belongings and headed home.  But first, we all had to stop at the DQ and partake of a Dilly bar.  What a great way to end a fabulously, tiring week!!!

I was greeted at home to 3 kiddos who talked non-stop for about an hour.  I finally told them that I needed a nap so I went upstairs, but little Miss Samara would not let me out of her sight so she played in my bed while I slept.  I took a 2 hour nap that day and went to bed early.  Then on Saturday, I slept in until 10 which is amazing for me.  I am still a wee-bit worn out, but I'm hoping I'll be back to normal by tomorrow.

This experience was exhausting, but uplifting at the same time.  I want to definitely do it again!!!