At the risk of sounding "campy", I spent three months working at the local YMCA's Camp Abe Lincoln during the warm summer of 1983, in-between my high school junior and senior learning efforts. The camp was located about 20 miles south of the Quad Cities, in the small - but of course lovely - hamlet of Blue Grass, Iowa.
My aunt Linda and her husband Barre had met here, and even gotten married at the campgrounds, and they thought I could put my newly obtained Red Cross Lifeguard skills to use at the newly renovated facility. Originally I was hired to be just a lifeguard, but they immediately realized I could be pressed into service in other roles. Before long - I was given additional duties of assistant camp counselor, assistant skiing and assistant sailing instructor. Strangely - I was stoked by all the responsibilities....
That may have seemed like a lot to place on the shoulders of a 16-year old, but I have always been up to a good challenge (ask those who know me)! In fact there was only one other high school student working there - Steve - who also came to be a lifeguard. Everyone else was either a full time YMCA employee or summering, regional college students (which was the vast majority).
My days were spent at the new pool, or on the Mississippi river in a small M16 sailing boat or in our tri-hulled outboard Starcraft ski boat. Other times the traditional camp activities were the norm - yes - sack races, arts & crafts, nature walks, archery, shooting, etc. Oh - and of course crashing the small camp store for ice cream! Nights were spent under the million stars around roaring campfires, or at the private late with the other instructors unwinding. Each week we'd get fresh batch of campers, and start the routine all over again!
Before you knew it - summer was gone and it was time to say good-bye to my friends. Strangely - of all my work & school experiencea, only my time with the YMCA and my junior high school years don't current include any friends that I'm still in contact with.....
