MY TIME AT WONDERLAND CAMP
I served 21 months, four summers, and an entire year at Wonderland Camp. In those 4 summers I served under 4 program Directors.
MR. D
My first director was the famous Mister D ("D" standing for both Ditzler, his last name and Discipline, because you didn't even want him to think that you might be doing something wrong). Now, don't be too hard on Mister D because, though he can be a hard man to work for, he had a passion and love for at-risk youth that is unmatched and a work ethic that is unbelievable. Nobody worked harder than Mister D and nobody knew camp as well as Mister D. I had the privilege of working two summers, as a counselor and then a Unit Director, under a man with 18 years of camping experience. It was privilege, an honor, and a headache all at the same time.
MR. C
Then he resigned. It was a sad affair and handled poorly. In his wake came Mr. C. His name is unimportant. He accomplished close to nothing, but it was a fortunate thing for me, because on the summer staff he leaned heavily. Along with some great co-Unit Directors (Cathleen Himes, Christian, Tricia Burton) we basically ran the camp ourselves.
With knowledge and experience from working under the Ditzlers, I was able to make a tremendous impact that summer. I've always had an opinion about how things could be run. organization. training. devotions. chapel. discipline. etc. . . and always manage to voice my opinion too (I'm honest. It's a blessing . . . and a curse). Now, Mr. C, pretended not to listen to me. But after he failed to run a succesful camp his way, he eventually came around, with no credit to my advice, of course. But somebody paid attention. It just happened to be the crazy lady . . . before she went crazy. Anyway. I got a job working as an Intern for a whole year. And Mr. C, well, he was soon to be known as Mr. C - U - Later.
LIFE AS AN INTERN
So I was an Intern. It doesn't sound too glorious, but the experience was invaluable.
I had the opportunity do many things: teach low-ropes , boating, and archery; learn CPR and First Aid; drive tractors, gators, 20-passenger vans, and motor boats; trim trees; build fires; cater food; serve in the snack shop, the office, and the beach house; work with kitchen, operations, and housekeeping staff; represent Wonderland at camp fairs; host rental groups; and plan and lead a successful teen winter-camp;
I worked with almost everyone, I had the privilege to: Move chairs with Jack, mop floors with Lilian, make beds with Shannon, pull pranks with Greg, steer tractors with Peter, serve food with Don and Judy, answer phones with Carin, build websites with JBJ, understand networking from Paul, learn guest services from Julie, shut down cabins with Art, and sit-in on meetings with Eric.
I was able to utilize my God-given gifts. I used them to: shoot camp videos; design a promotional packet; snap camp pictures; make promotional videos; reorganize audio and video equipment , operate the chapel sound system, set-up multimedia systems for groups, and build a media pc; write curriculum; produce a camp newsletter; speak in chapel to children, teens, and senior citizens; and design an internship program.
MR. MRS. B
JBJ and I were the Program Department. And loved it, until camp finally replaced Mr. C with Mr. and Mrs. B. The 3rd and 4th program directors were husband and wife. I worked under them for a summer, but was extremely under utilized. I offered my help and support, but I soon learned that my knowledge and experience was not wanted. So I performed my duties and accomplished my tasks. I had fun with the staff. And my last summer as a Unit Director I had a blast.
WHAT NOT TO DO AT CAMP
I learned a lot lessons that summer about how not to run a camp, such as: don't yell at your staff, don't gossip about your staff, don't have a "naughty" list that means nothing, don't let everyone drive camp vehicles, don't wing it every day, don't undermine your spouses authority (especially if they're your're co-director), don't be a hypocrite, don't threaten people (especially if you're not going to follow through), don't surprise people with extra work and then laugh about it . . . oh and don't tell everyone that they're your favorite person, because by definition you can only have one favorite person.
THAT GETS YOU ON THE "DO NOT HIRE LIST"
When I left after their first summer as program directors, I gave Mr. and Mrs. B three years before they would move on, but after summer #2 they, um, "resigned". They lasted a little more than a year. go figure. But, before they left, I eventually learned from my good friend Kat, I was placed on the "do not hire list". I guess my advice was more unwanted than I ever imagined. Guess that's what happens when people feel threatened.
THE VIDEOGRAPHER RETURNS
Thankfully, I was not around for summer #2. I spent the summer at NWC as a studio manager and videographer. With all the experience and knowledge I've gained while being at NWC, I decided I wanted to use my gifts again at Wonderland Camp. But nobody answered my phone calls. I later learned that Kat talked to the director. She decided to give me a second chance. After a lovely conversation, and talking about my experiences at Wonderland, I was offered a leadership position on the spot. Go figure.
TAKE IT AS A COMPLEMENT
I'm actually very glad I made it onto the "do not hire list". Besides it being a great story to tell my children someday, it just confirms that I was right all along; that I wasn't crazy, or ignorant, or just plain dumb. Everyone else was. :) So if you find yourself on some dubious "do not hire" list, consider who wrote the list. Check it twice. And unless it was written by someone you've truly admired, it might just be the list that gets you hired.
