Ever wonder what Ally and Joe are doing all day while you’re running around doing activities?

 

When do they get to camp and when do they leave? As Assistant Directors Joe and I don’t normally teach activities like the counselors do, but don’t worry we always seem to have plenty to do! I thought it would be fun to go through a normal day as an AD during camp. If you want an Off season day in the life, comment below!

I consulted with Joe and this is what a typical camp day for us would look like. I’m going to use my perspective as the Girl’s AD to keep it simple. You want Joe’s life in day too? Let us know!

 

 

6:00 AM

It’s our wake up call! But why so early you ask? Because we’ve got lots to do before the rest of camp wakes up! It usually takes me about 45 min to get out of bed, get dressed, and remind myself that I love my job more than sleep. I’m lucky to live about 30 seconds up the road from camp, and have the shortest commute in history. And yes I know I could walk it, but wait till you hear how much walking I already do! So go easy on me. Joe and I usually drive separately, we may leave at different times at night, depending on what evening programs are happening. We give each other a little wave and then head towards our ends of camp. My next stop… the West Washo.

 

7:00 AM

A little before 7 I try to be at the West Washo, where I turn off our bug lights. These are special yellow lights that go on at night so as not to attract those pesky moths and knats that love light bulbs. Those go off and I do a quick look through the Washo to make sure everything is working and clean for the start of the day. Trust me, you don’t want your camp day to start with plumbing issues or a lack of toilet paper.

Next it’s off to the office for our Morning Meeting! Every morning all the admin meet in the office at 7:15 to discuss the plan for the day and any important messages we need to give each other. We head to the benches together after that to start prepping for breakfast meetings and the start of the day. Then Joe and I usually argue on who gets to ring the bell at 7:45.

 

8:00 AM

Breakfast time! This is the time where Joe or I would start off being “On Deck” and helping with the flow of campers as they get called up to go get breakfast in the Dining hall. Joe and I switch off so someone can eat while the other supervises the line. When everyone has gotten food and is eating, I start checking in with counselors, making sure your cabin is planning your evening program and passing along any messages.

 

9:00 AM

Campers are headed back to cabins for cabin clean up, and Joe and I are right behind you. If I can, I like to be up on the girl’s end during cabin clean up to give a little extra help to cabins that might need it and to hurry kids along who may be running late to 1st period.

Once 9:15 hits and everyone has made it safely to first period… I start cabin inspections dun dun DUN!!! I’m kidding, I know my girls are always trying their best, and I try to be fair in my judging of each cabin. I love to leave little notes for each cabin group, and I absolutely adore it when they leave me a note back!

10:00 AM

Now we are getting into more flexible time. As the activities continue throughout the day, I bounce to any place I am needed, so I’ll try to provide real examples of what I would typically do. It would be very normal for me to start prepping for evening programs that are going to happen that night. Getting equipment out or packing out food for the Treehouse group going that night. Checking in on archery perhaps, to see if they are running low on arrows etc.

 

12:00 PM

It is lunch time and I’m always starving! So if I’m not “on deck”, this time is spent eating as much as possible to tied me over till canteen.

 

1:00 PM

Rest period! Usually this is when I lead a girl’s staff meeting while the campers are resting. If there is no meeting schedule for that day, I like to wander the girls end, and check in with campers and staff. I also like to make sure we are being quiet ladies. 😉 At 1:45, I’m also around to motivate campers to get up and start getting ready for 3rd period.

 

2:00 PM

Everyone has made it to 3rd period, and I could be working on any number of things. Making signs for alpha games, filling up water balloons for a special day. Sometimes there are campers that need my support during this time. Anything from homesickness to anxiety about an activity, I am here to HELP!

 

4:00 PM

It’s CANTEEN TIME! This would be the time that the Octos and I set up canteen for the campers and wait for the stampede. I like to serve the candy, and see all the different options the kids pick. I always had a snickers bar (its like a full meal!). Joe always seems to be on a mission to make people pick Veggie Straws as their canteen. He had mixed success as the summer went on.

 

5:00 PM

The last period of the day is half way done and this is my last chance to finalize anything I will need for programming that night. When it was the night to reveal our Alpha Games teams, I spent this time hiding clues all around camp for the campers to find. I double check that Treehouses are packed out and in the outside cabinet ready to be picked up by cabins.

 

6:00 PM

It is dinner time! Depending on the day, Joe or I will be behind the Dining Hall to help the cabins going to the treehouses get off without a hitch. We are there to fix any food pack out mistakes, collect anything we need from the counselors, and make sure the campers are prepared. Then its a rush to the Dining Hall to eat, because as I’m sure you guessed… I’m starving again.

 

7:00 PM

Evening program begins after dinner, and if I did my job right, everything should be ready to go. Now I just have to get cabins where they are supposed to be and make sure all the programs happen perfectly (nothing is ever perfect, but I try to get close). This is the time you can find Joe and I bopping around and checking on groups throughout camp.

 

 

8:00 PM

Time for the thing I think campers associate my job with the most, SNACK TIME! I come around to each girls cabin, usually with my big box of treats, and hand out snack to each camper. It can be a mad scramble sometimes, and you coyote boys are always the most excited to see me! I don’t give the boys snack unless Joe is off that day, so each time is quite memorable.

 

9:00 PM

The foxes are in bed and everyone else is winding down. The wolves may head to Osawaka for a bonfire, and the coyotes are headed to showers and bed. I like to bounce from talking with the wolf campers to checking on the coyotes. It’s important that the girl’s end is quieter now because campers are trying to sleep, but don’t worry I’m always around to give loud ladies a gentle reminder.

 

10:00 PM

Everyone should be back at their cabins now and be showered and getting ready for bed. I take this time to check in on my girl staff and make sure they have everything they need and understand if there is any paperwork due in the morning. Then its back to the office for one last meeting with Alli and Joe, where we talk through the day and make any reminders we will need for tomorrow.

 

 

11:00 PM

It’s time for bed! I’m most definitely in bed by this time. No need to count sheep, I promise I’m perfectly tired when I hit the hay. Soon it will be time to get up and do it all over again!