Camp Nurse Chronicles

I know I'm a month overdue with this blog, but I need to share these stories as a prequel to the next message that has been floating around in my mind and my heart for the past few weeks. In July, I had the privilege of serving as a camp nurse for a week at Twin Pines Camp, Conference, and Retreat Center where I used to attend camp as a kid. I spent 1-2 weeks at this camp every summer as a child and have some very fond memories of this place, including my mother leading me in prayer to accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior. This camp holds a very special place in my heart and it was about time I was able to give a little something back.

Each night, I posted a little something about my day's experiences on Facebook. I want to share those experiences, verbatim, in one place with any of you who may not have seen them on Facebook. I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed my week at camp!

July 14

Camp Nurse Chronicles Day #1...well technically 2 now... Camp Nurse Orientation was amazing! Me: Hi I’m Katie, your nurse for the week. Camp Director: Here are the keys and paperwork for all the campers. Check-in starts in half an hour. *camp nurse orientation complete* 😂 Don’t worry, I got this! 💪 Actually, camp director’s wife checked in on me to make sure I got all the needed paperwork and was able to unlock everything. 😉 It’s now after midnight and I have been ‘working’ since I got here at 2pm...What did I get myself into!! 🤦‍♀️ I spent all evening sorting meds and trying to create some type of system to use the rest of the week. This is an adult ‘special needs’ camp week, so there are A LOT of meds to go through! I’m predicting a nap after breakfast tomorrow morning...😉 Speaking of which, I’m going to bed!! Good night!

July 15 (I had an unwanted visitor in the office that took my attention from the whole day...)

Camp Nurse Chronicles Day What in the world is that?!!!!

(Facebook determined it to be an 'Assassin Bug'...to which I replied, "I knew it was trying to kill me!" I was also warned they have a pretty nasty bite!)

July 16

Camp Nurse Chronicles Day 3: The best thing about being the nurse at camp? Air conditioning!!! 😂❄️ My medication system is running like a well-oiled antique...it sometimes works. 😂 Kinda like half the things around here! lol Not much has changed from my childhood! Fun, yet scary, to be able to relive my childhood around here. So many memories. ❤️ Oh and don’t worry, I already sent a camper to the ER...🤦‍♀️😂 The stupid 🐝had how many fingers to choose from? And it picked the finger with the ring on it...at least she didn’t have an anaphylactic response! Ok and now to bed the earliest since arriving! Just after midnight! Yay!! 😴

July 17

Camp Nurse Chronicles Day 525600...or so it seems! (It’s only Day 4...) I took pictures today! Photo 1 - Something to make me smile every time I go through the food line in the dining hall (...other than the obvious of food...) 😊❤️ Photos 2-4 - What happens when the nurse decides to visit the archery range during free time...🤦‍♀️😂🏹 I need a nurse! Photo 5 - It’s not camp without at least one good storm... Photos 6-8 - My special project today to help organize this place a bit. 😉 Lastly, on a serious note-working with this camp has been truly amazing so far! Tonight they had a talent show for the Lotsa Love campers. The encouragement, love and support these people truly give each other is so amazing to watch. We could afford to follow their example more often in life. Instead of tearing each other down, let’s passionately and wholly support and encourage one another, no matter what our ability levels are. ❤️

July 18

Camp Nurse Chronicles Day 5: Can’t believe there is only one more whole day! I took a nice nap this morning, watched a rousing game of whiffle ball water balloons this afternoon, knocked an assassin bug off a camper’s shirt (😲💪), staff sing, and finally made it to a campfire. Oh and found a gem in some photo books at the snack shop that have my brother and dad in it. I would have been in it too, but my guess is I was over playing with the soccer camp kids instead that year. 😉

July 19

Camp Nurse Chronicles Day 6: I don’t ever want to leave!! This week has been so amazing! I made some incredible new friends and am 3/3 on camp directors asking me to come back for their camps next year. 😊❤️ Today I got to play ‘Coroner’ for the CSI camp as they wrapped up their week with a death scene investigation, attend a dance and laugh and sing and DANCE with the Lotsa Love camp, jump in the pool to cool off after working up a sweat at the dance, then attend an outdoor movie and glow party with the Elementary Igniters camp! Not a bad way to wrap up the week. ❤️ It will be hard to say “so long” tomorrow. But I am positive it will NOT be good bye. Twin Pines, I will be back! I promise! 🌲🌲❤️

July 20

Home from an amazing week at Twin Pines!! 🌲🌲❤️ All I have to say is God is moving in my life right now. I’m in such a place in my life that I should be in a constant state of complete panic, but God has been giving me so much peace. I still do not know what tomorrow will bring, but I know God is working and in HIS time, the rain will end, the skies will clear, and the storm will pass. He is my refuge and my strength. I will continue to put my trust in Him! ❤️🌈☀️😊

Psalm 18:2

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer,

my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,

my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Psalm 46:1

God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

Psalm 57:1

Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,

for in you my soul takes refuge;

in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,

till the storms of destruction pass by.

Psalm 59:16

But I will sing of your strength;

I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.

For you have been to me a fortress

and a refuge in the day of my distress.