Week 2

So you are wondering, what was my life like this week?

Sunday/Monday - see previous posting. Also, after writing the last posting on Monday night one of my CMITS was kicked out of the program. Hard decision, but it was one staff felt needed to happen. Long, complicated explaination on this one, so i'll spare you the details of why.

Tuesday- Last day at the Summer day camp. We ran the activities that we organized during the morning and said our goodbyes to the kids. It was only slightly awkward with the staff, considering one of the main ones missed the memo and didn't know we were leaving? Yeah. So we came back here for the afternoon and did a formal debriefing, similar to what we do w/ our teams, for some of the staff here, as a way to bring some closure to the project. The CMITS had to present what the project was, the accomplishments, one thing they learned and some Plusses and Deltas. Deltas are things they feel could have been changed but they have to offer solutions too, instead of just complaining about things. Then we had a team building session with the counselor here, where we did some active listening and a little conflict resolution.

Wednesday - First day at new project, Old Santee Canal State Park. It is in Moncks Corner up about 45 minutes north of Charleston. Over the 3 days we were there this week we pulled some weeds, applied more finishing solution to some old wood floors in a 19th century plantation home, and cleared about a 400 sq foot wooded area so they can make it a picnic area. Cutting down trees was a lot of fun, and i enjoy making my group work since work ethic is a huge problem. We did a few other odd and end jobs around the park as well.

Thursday - During the day thursday I was informed that one of the girls on my team wanted to quit the program. This surprised me because the girl who wanted to quit, we'll call her Sue, is one of the brightest girls in the program. She is smart, well mannered, and well behaved. I mean sure, she can be a teenager sometimes, but David and I really enjoy having her on our team. By the time we got back to base after working she had made up her mind that she was going home. As her friends started finding out she wanted to go home they stole her suitcase, sheets, cell phone and room key trying to keep her to stay. No matter what I said to her, she wasn't budging. It just didn't make sense. So, that evening, David and I met with the Program Manager and Sue to try one last attempt at keeping her here. The truth came out during this meeting, that someone had said something extremely offensive to her, and she just decided that she wasn't going to be here anymore. She said we shouldn't have to be punishing and disciplining 14-17 yr olds because they should just not be so immature and disrespectful. She goes to one of the top private schools here in this area so i guess she doesn't deal with this problem much. I, however, came into this knowing I would be dealing with immaturity so disciplining isn't a problem for me. She told us she really didn't want to go home, but she also didn't want to stay. She is an insanely head strong young lady, so nothing we said helped in our 45 minute meeting. Her father came to pick her up later that evening, and David and I were beyond frustrated/mad/sad/etc. We both had the night off, but since the meeting lasted way past dinner time we sulked for the rest of the evening, but did manage to get away to a burger joint (not fast food) for a fattening burger and fries. Luckily we did not see any of our group when we got back later that evening, because even though she did not tell us who said this offensive comment, we know who it was (99% sure) but couldn't do anything about it because she didn't tell us. Two of our guys were placed on Probation that night though, along with a handfull of other CMITS who cause the most trouble on each team. One more thing, and they are out. . . they just don't get it.

MOving on. . .
Friday- We had a some what lighter day workwise. After doing a little work around the park in the morning we were able to go canoeing in the swampy waters of the Santee river for a while. We saw one baby aligator and lots of pretty Osprey. I enjoyed teaching my group to canoe (with the basic skills I have) since most of them hadn't ever been in a canoe before. Luckily there were no casualties to the swampy water. I was proud of them.

Saturday - 12:00 AM. I waited in line, with 2 other devoted Crew leaders, to receive Harry Potter #7! I will refrain from saying anymore on this subject for those of you who are currently reading, or will be reading it. If ANYONE tells me what happens I will not speak to you till I get home. If you wish to discuss anything related to it, send me an email with (ONLY) what page you are on, and if I am past that point I will be open to limited discussion.

Ameri-folks- There shall be no discussion till Transition. See ya'll in 2 1/2 weeks.

Oh, and on a side note, I found out this week I will be in Biloxi, working at Hands On Gulf Coast for my 4th round project. I think the dates are Aug 8-Sept 19th!!!! (bonus points for all who know what falls between those dates)
More details about that to follow.

One week of SOS left. . . I am working at Mepkin Abbey this week. I get to eat lunch w/ monks on Monday. A silent lunch for my team, i can't wait to see this!