My summer job with Group Workcamps Foundation as a Red Shirt Summer Staffer began on May 25th. The flight in went fine, I loved Denver International Airport and it's little train thing...I'm pretty sure I was the only person on the thing that found it hilarious. Getting to the airport I was greeted with a huge GWF Welcome sign and a whole bunch of other Workcamp staffers. I was able to sit with a little group at the airport for about 3 hours, getting to know some people that I'd be training with for the next 2 weeks.
We headed up the mountain from Denver into Estes Park. The town had the cutest little stores and all hte regular tourist-y stuff. We went up into YMCA Park where we would be living for the next 2 weeks, and were greeted by our trainers. The view from the YMCA was absolutely amazing. Being from New Jersey, I've never seen mountains remotely close to the Rockies. Sure, I've seen the Appalachian mountains and stuff in Maine, but nothing like this.
Also, this is the farthest I've ever been out west so this is really exciting for me.
So this is the view I was greeted with every single morning:
The camp was located about 8,000 feet above sea level, so we had to keep hydrating ourselves and even though I know I am out of shape...it really was obvious when I was barely breathing on the walks up to breakfast.
The first night we met with Jobe and some of the other leadership staff, and then we got to find out our crews and where we are going for the whole summer. I got placed on crew 7G and the other three people on it are Aaron (our returner/Program Manager from PA), Melissa (Crew Manager from AZ) and Ken (Materials Manager from CT). Obviously the first meeting was a little awkward...all the same intro stuff and small get to know you's. We went to the lodge to talk though and found a lot in common with each other...so that was nice.
As for where we're headed...our first camp is one of the Micah Experiences, which basically means it's a Catholic based camp, where all the other ones are non-denominational, and that is located at Ferrum College in Rocky Mount Virginia. We have a 2 week break before that though so we're staying in Fort Collins, Colorado for this week just relaxing and helping out at Group Headquarters in Loveland.
Our second camp is in Sullivan, Illinois and we're hoping to swing by Chicago while we're in Illinois.
Then we're heading to another Micah Experience camp in Baltimore, Maryland, which is being helped by the Archdiocese of Baltimore. So running that camp will be a big deal for all of us, there will be a lot of responsibility...Actually a lot for this whole job...craziness.
The rest of training was a lot of fun. I met some really cool people from all over the country. Specific OM training was great all the other Office Managers, are so funny, and the returners were so helpful.
On my weekend off we went to Rocky Mountain National Park, and that was awesome. the views were incredible. We went up to 12,000 elevation...and it was soooo windy, snowy, cold, and hard to breathe...but I loved it.
Just one, of the many pictures I took that day that we went. We also went to a Drive-In Movie Theatre where I saw Up (sooo funny) and Star Trek (surprisingly good).
The last week has been such a growing experience...I've learned so much about this position and my faith...so that's been great.
We're in Fort Collins right now, just kinda hanging out, waiting for instructions from Group...I'm excited to see how things progress from here, or what's next on the agenda.
A tornado almost hit where we're staying on Sunday...we got stuck in a massive hail storm...so things are already getting interesting.
Can't wait to update more about other exciting stuff!
God bless,
Catherine
"Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love."-1 John 4:8
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