This last week and weekend were all about flexibility within the recreation industry. After the heavy snow that Prescott received a few weeks back, the freezing of the melted snow during the night time hours have caused havoc around camp. We have had several busted water pipes which have required the full attention of our hard working maintenance crew; however, since they were consumed by these issues the rest of the staff was tasked with other duties such as stocking firewood and preparing cabins for our guest groups.
Also, this weekend we were forced to close down our zipline section of the rock climbing wall because of the amount of snow and ice that was around the area. We did this because of safety precautions; however, in doing this we observed that many of the customers were displeased with the cancellation of the zipline. Being flexible also took on more meaning, on Saturday, as we cleaned several cabins around the camp in order to get it ready for a new guest group that was coming in to the facilities.
It was very difficult to be flexible with how the weather affects our jobs on a daily basis because when you are tasked with so many other things to do it makes the other spontaneous tasks more difficult manage. I am a very detail, planning, scheduling type of person and when there are times when flexibility is needed that is when I grow the most because I do something that is out of my normal comfort zone and expand my willingness to serve.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Friday, February 13, 2009
Learning Something New
This week has been very interesting with everything from snow days to slow days to now everything getting busy all over again. It's amazing to see the nature of working in the camp industry and how everyday is different and presents new challenges and opportunities.
For this weekend I'm going to be hosting for several guest groups that will be coming to use our facilities for the next several days. It's going to be a challenging time because I will be working on my public relations skills, which are not very refined, and doing various tasks for them. With the high probability of snow this weekend, my job will be made even harder as I make sure that our guests stay warm with plenty of firewood and that their needs are met to keep them safe in some cold weather conditions.
At times this internship has been difficult with the added responsibilities and stress, but I am so passionate about what I am doing here and what I am a part of in this camp that I have been able to persevere through it all and gain new knowledge and insight into all sorts of different situations.
For this weekend I'm going to be hosting for several guest groups that will be coming to use our facilities for the next several days. It's going to be a challenging time because I will be working on my public relations skills, which are not very refined, and doing various tasks for them. With the high probability of snow this weekend, my job will be made even harder as I make sure that our guests stay warm with plenty of firewood and that their needs are met to keep them safe in some cold weather conditions.
At times this internship has been difficult with the added responsibilities and stress, but I am so passionate about what I am doing here and what I am a part of in this camp that I have been able to persevere through it all and gain new knowledge and insight into all sorts of different situations.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Beyond 9-5
I've realized this last week that professors don't lie when it comes to the recreation and tourism industry being a labor intensive industry that goes beyond a normal 40 hours/week job. This past week I have been involved in the various program elements of our second winter camp. I have made a recreation video, constructed a stage/set, thought up ideas for back-up recreation games, climbed a 30ft pole to record video, etc. It has been an emotional roller coaster of a weekend from the start of the week stresses to the middle of the week triumphs to the pre-camp jitters. Our program team has really started to mesh more and more as we get these projects accomplished. We are learning how to truly trust one another and pick each other up when one of us is bogged down with too much stuff to do. With the prospect of snow this weekend during our programmed event, we have had to be flexible in our programming by creating back-up plan after back-up plan so that we can create a unique and exciting experience for our guests. I am pumped for what this weekend will bring and can't wait to see all of the kids encounter God in a whole new way.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Behind the Scenes
Since United Christian Youth Camp is a non-profit organization, they are highly dependent on the work done by volunteers and the generous donations from others. Over this last weekend of our middle school winter camp, we had six volunteers come up to help with the programming of the weekend. These volunteers came from Phoenix and Tucson to spend their time being involved in these kids lives. Each of these volunteers were members of the camp summer staff this past summer and were willing to commit to this winter camp event. I am so grateful for their desire and passion to travel far from their homes just so they can be a part of this life changing experience for these students.
Most of the volunteers at UCYC are people who have had some prior work history with the camp organization, but are now off working somewhere else. However, they have committed to spend time completing various facilities projects and help in whatever ways necessary. Most of the training that volunteers experience is hands-on/on-the-job training because it is entirely dependent on what tasks in which they are going to be involved. We do our best to motivate our volunteers through using encouragement notes, using words of affirmation, and serving them in different situations. Also, the organization is committed to help house and feed all of our volunteers. I believe that there is a very high emphasis on the work of volunteers at UCYC and I personally feel that they are highly valued and appreciated by all of the staff members.
Most of the volunteers at UCYC are people who have had some prior work history with the camp organization, but are now off working somewhere else. However, they have committed to spend time completing various facilities projects and help in whatever ways necessary. Most of the training that volunteers experience is hands-on/on-the-job training because it is entirely dependent on what tasks in which they are going to be involved. We do our best to motivate our volunteers through using encouragement notes, using words of affirmation, and serving them in different situations. Also, the organization is committed to help house and feed all of our volunteers. I believe that there is a very high emphasis on the work of volunteers at UCYC and I personally feel that they are highly valued and appreciated by all of the staff members.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Avalanche
It's interesting that the theme of our first camp is Avalanche, when your world comes crashing down upon you. During the last week, I have been stressed, and pushed to the edge mentally, physically, and spiritually. I am learning that I just need to take the leap into the unknown and work with what I have in my life today. As the weekend of our first winter camp approaches, I have been slowly preparing recreation games and activities for the middle school students. Meanwhile, I have been creating a summer staff manual and corresponding with youth pastors. I am trying to spend my off hours relaxing because of how hectic everything is within this youth camp profession.
The mission of this organization is to create a "life changing experience" for the visitors that come to the location. In order for us to create this unique experience, we must create recreation activites that are new, exciting, and effective in building relationships. My role as the program intern is to create these unique recreational activities. I have created several competition games that allow for students to compete in teams, which allows them to not only have fun in participating in the activities as a group, but also remove them from the possibly stressful atmospheres of school, family life, and work.
Everyday I learn how I am just a tool or piece of the complex puzzle that is the staff of United Christian Youth Camp. I remember everyday that this is a serving ministry that impacts the lives of others and anything that I can do to make someone else's experience more comfortable then I should do it. Since living in Prescott for the last few weeks, it has been hard to adjust to the new living situations and being away from known acquaintances, but I have quickly adapted by becoming involved in recreational activities, the surrounding community, and building friendships with other staff members.
The mission of this organization is to create a "life changing experience" for the visitors that come to the location. In order for us to create this unique experience, we must create recreation activites that are new, exciting, and effective in building relationships. My role as the program intern is to create these unique recreational activities. I have created several competition games that allow for students to compete in teams, which allows them to not only have fun in participating in the activities as a group, but also remove them from the possibly stressful atmospheres of school, family life, and work.
Everyday I learn how I am just a tool or piece of the complex puzzle that is the staff of United Christian Youth Camp. I remember everyday that this is a serving ministry that impacts the lives of others and anything that I can do to make someone else's experience more comfortable then I should do it. Since living in Prescott for the last few weeks, it has been hard to adjust to the new living situations and being away from known acquaintances, but I have quickly adapted by becoming involved in recreational activities, the surrounding community, and building friendships with other staff members.
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