Have Fun with Your Color!

So. Purple is my color in real life. My closet. My office. Even my tea.

That being said, I had a lot of fun being the Purple Unit. A lot of fun!!
I carried everything at camp in a purple backpack. I stuck in a dowel rod with a purple bandana tied to the end. Made a, sort of, flag. My campers could always find me.

You will be surprised how many things you have around your house that is your Unit color. Sharpies. Post-its. Bandanas are, of course, easy to find.  Now, maybe you don’t want an orange backpack. But an orange bucket hat… that’s fun! Blue is super easy. Blue painter’s tape is easily available. I had to order purple special. For most colors there is a readily available card stock packs.

As soon as you find out your color, start looking around. OH! Those little stretchy bracelets! Buy enough for you and PAs. You can attach the little laminated schedules to them. This is the best purchase I ever made.
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When I was not with my daughter, field trips or church trips, I always hoped the adults in charge would take pictures. So, at camp, I took pictures. Back in the day Shutterfly had Share Sites. There are ways to share pictures with parents. But not every picture. Save one back from each camper and your PAs. Then, using that card stock, print out those pictures, mounting them on card stock and write a little note. “I’m so happy to have had you in Purple Unit. I loved how you … ! I hope to see you next year!” Or something similar. The parents will love it. The kids will remember you. It costs so little. A special remembrance to be tucked away.
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Camp, as every TV show and movie will tell us, is all about Traditions. Rainbow Adventure Day certainly has some traditions. A BIG one is Camp Names. It’s quite the game. The campers try all week to find the PA’s ‘real’ names. No one says anything.

This game starts with the first planning meeting of the year. I call my kid by her name all year and suddenly at camp she is Otter. So, whenever I talk to her about camp, I call her Otter. She would never call me by my given name but Nightingale is completely acceptable. So! Use those camp names as early and as often as you can.
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Camp is a time for growth. Campers are without parents. In a new environment. PAs are suddenly in leadership positions. Sometimes for the first time. And you. You have a completely new set of campers. Not your family. Not your troop. Not your students or your Sunday school class. You are out of your element. It’s exciting. It’s fun. It’s new. So sit back. Don’t assume. Ask questions. Ask questions first. Wait for answers. Listen. You have experience, yes. It is valuable, yes. And… growth needs room. Growth needs space. Give them a minute. Let them try and figure it out. Be it a craft or a disagreement.
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You are an adult. You have memories. What are your favorite memories from camp. Make that happen for your campers. You’ve done stuff with your life. Maybe you were a counselor at a camp. Make it a good week for your PAs. You are a parent. What kind of week do you want your camper to have. Give that week to your campers. And have fun.
 
Oh! I found my notes!!

•  Crochet a coaster in your color for everyone.
• Work on your SWAP.
• Keep your hands busy. All with your color in mind.
• Pay attention. Pay the compliment.
• Monday is the hardest. Everything is new for everyone.
• Wednesday is the best. Right in the middle of the week.
• Friday is the most fun. Wide games. All camp activities.
• No need to buy extra gifts. I am always tempted to. But the Craft Unit usually has the take home items covered. Although… I have been known to take a look at Party City. They have a big section of colored accessories. Maybe everyone gets a bow for wide games… or a scrunchie… bandanas are cheaper on Amazon. Mardi Gras beads in your color. But you know… you don’t have to. The pennies they wear are enough. At least that’s what I tell myself. Every year.