The camp I work at calls themselves [initials deleted due to stalkers who will try to hunt me down and roast my innards]SC. Unfortunately, having spent a full year in APUSH, whenever I see the initials "SC" I think "Supreme Court." It's just the way I'm wired. Like when people were discussing ceramics and the first thing that came to mind was Henry Clay. Is this a curse or a blessing? I have yet to decide.
Anyway, today was the last day of Circus SC. It was a sad, joyous day. Sad because of all the campers I'll miss, joyous because, multiple times over the course of the summer, I had urges to hit my head against a wall. With adequate force. I can't decide whether I love or can't stand these kids.
"Why are the shirts blue? I hate blue!"
"I CAN'T [insert circus art here that they refuse to do]"
"I'm not flexible, I shouldn't have to do stretching."
"I don't want to do an act with her! She's bad at it!"
"When is [lunch, swimming, ect]?"
"Why do I have to listen to you?"
They don't understand what the words "straight legs" or "pointed toes" mean, despite repeated instruction. They don't get that warm-ups mean actually trying, or you have to run laps. They just don't get that you can't walk on the rolling globe (large ball to walk on) without a spot the first time. I don't know why. Was I this dense in elementary school?
But then again, I can't help but to love them. Watch them learn to do cool things in just one week and get their full splits. And connect with them. Like the 7-year-old identical twins ho we just call Thing 1 and Thing 2, and whichever one is closer at the time is Thing 1. Or the boy who started the summer with no experience and ended with a full straddle split. And the girl who at first couldn't do a somersault and then was dive-rolling over other campers.
I wish I got paid more though, ya know?
Not to mention the 40-minute commute everyday. Summer Camp is crazy stuff. If you're looking for some peace and orderly quiet, check out the other SC. I hear that our government is never crazy, and not one person has reported that it makes them want to bash their heads against a wall.
Sarcasm hand.
However, check out Secret Cauliflower and Sticky Cadillacs, because I hear they're quite entertaining.
I totally understand what you mean about not knowing why you love the kids so much. I had one kid wet themselves SIX times over a TEN day period. And yet I still love her. They didn't get anything, but I think it's their cuteness that makes up for it.
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