Written by Staffer J. (Driver)
Camp Myrtlewood is quiet and sweetly welcoming when I arrive. I’m the first to arrive for NBTSC again this year to pick up the first food delivery. It’s a good way to ease back into and fully appreciate the site vibe without distractions. Soon it will be a bundle of camp energy. While I wait for the rest of the staff to arrive, I can say hello to the always accommodating site staff and then visit all my favorite spots. I go down to the river for a swim and notice the water is slightly higher than in previous years. That’s a good sign. Will the otters grace us with their presence this year? I always approach the river quietly just in case.
I climb up the “Climbing Tree” with my book and make myself some of tea (yeah, you heard that right) I’ve hauled up with me. What a great place to read with camp so still and quiet. The air is clean and bright with no traces of the smoke we’ve had occasionally in past years. It seems like you can see forever. I’ve had some of the best conversations up in this tree and I’m always excited to get back into it.
The first staff car arrives: it’s Sierra, Sydney, Vick and Yared. It is not quiet anymore as we greet each other after a year between camp sessions. Other cars start to roll in with more of our advisors, kitchen staff, logistics team, jr staff, etc., along with more food and supplies for camp and kitchen. It’s a joyous reunion of old camp friends and an introduction to our brand new staffers that have never been to camp (we have two this year, Penny and Neil). I’m sure they’ll be hooked after another magical Myrtlewood session just like I was nine years ago.
We have our first meeting to get acquainted and start to gel as a group. We do a go-around with our names, pronouns, and how we are doing. Another with our roles, highlights from our year, and things we are excited about. We play a game of mind meld. We share our first meal made by Franny and the amazing kitchen staff. We’re already starting to meld into the staff that will help make this another memorable Myrtlewood session. We can’t wait for the campers to get here!!!
