As grunt week is happening right now I'm reminded of two of the work weeks from my time on staff - my first in 1984 and the camp move work week in 1989.

1984

Apparently Dave thought that the 1984 staffers were all Paul Bunyan wanna-bes because all the tasks the first year I was on staff were massive. The 15 or 20 huge pine tree sections each weighing hundreds of pounds, the tons of gravel to be spread on cardiac hill, the massive mattress swap. There was no lack of work to be done. Those tree sections were huge, the old white dodge pickup truck audibly groaned every time one of those 6 foot logs was flipped into the back. The endless bucket loads of gravel carried down step after step in an effort to create a reliable place to walk and the matresses with all the usual 6-legged and 8-legged residents. Somehow everything got done.

1989

The work week in 1989 was the most intense of the summers I was on staff. Trying to move from old camp to new camp when new camp wasn't quite ready was an experience. Loading up chalets onto a flatbed trailer and then driving them over with the tractor hoping no cars were coming in the other direction was simply crazy. The rain and mud were unbelievable. It was insanity how much had to be done and the fact that somehow enough of it got done for things to move forward. So many things were taken for granted at the old camp that the process of creating them from scratch in 1989 was an exercise in creativity, patience and humility. That was the year 1st session was canceled for the regular campers but the outtrip still went on as usual. Basically work week extended for almost 3 weeks. Meanwhile I led the Tangier outtrip with the only campers in camp (if I am remembering correctly). Can you imagine doing an outrip without a cell phone? Althought in 89 we did have a chase vehicle - which was important because in other years the lack of a vehicle was a complicating factor. We came back into camp. We had an indian night for 14 or so campers and the staff.

The amazing thing is how work was done and how effective the shared sweat was in creating a staff bond with total strangers all the while fighting those awful flies that would land on you and suck your blood. I forgot what they were called but I remember the pain of being bit and the frustration of not being able kill them all. Too many individual people to name but thanks everyone for all your work and patience, then and now.