Love in the Hamptons and Camp ABC Session Two

Korrin B.

July 16, 2009 - 7:34 PM

So, here I am, back at camp. Currently, I am on my night off and enjoying cozy chai tea while sucking up my addiction to Wi-Fi. When I first got back to camp after spending time back in civilization for a few days, I was not excited to start session two. The summer seemed like it was moving slower than molasses and I didn't think that I could handle the intensity of the camp environment again. However, here I am. We have 216 campers this session and it seems like it is already flying by. Everything has gone so smoothly so far and the twelve girls that I have in my cabin are complete angels. I keep waiting for them to be difficult, but they're just so great. They are polite, respectful, and adorable - all that a counselor could ask for!

I'm getting ahead of myself though. Before I can talk about camp so far, I have to talk about the rest of my time in the city. It was probably this time of beauty that made me hesitant to return to the wilderness of my job at camp. On Sunday, the day before I had to return to camp, I decided to be a self-indulgent, independent woman. My friend I was staying with in Long Island was going to be working all day, so I decided to hop on a train by myself and head out to the Hamptons! I stopped at Westhampton and walked off the train, ready for adventure.

The train stop was farther from the downtown area than I thought it would be, but I didn't mind the walk. Westhampton is nice. It was interesting to observe the bus station that I got dropped off at with the campers near Spanish Harlem and then compare that environment to the Hamptons. The Hamptons are definitely for the "haves." Every house, street, store, was beautiful. Lawns were well manicured and people walked around in their polo shirts and oversized sunhats.

I told myself that I was just there to visit - no shopping. However, no one had told me that there would be a lovely craft fair going on that day. My first purchase was a gorgeous purse, handmade by this woman with Italian tapestries.

I walked around Main Street for a couple of hours. It was such a beautiful day and the vibe of the town was incredible. People were happy. I stopped in a café and had an iced chai and a black and white cookie. I touched expensive clothing, shoes, and trinkets in several boutiques. I felt so alive, independent, and succulent. I felt like this was the environment for me. A quaint, cute little town. Although, I must say that I think I would get sick of the people. Sometimes I can connect more with those I may find back at the bus station.

Next, I set off, determined to find the ocean. A couple of miles of walking later, I was there, staring at the Atlantic Ocean, nourishing my soul with frozen yogurt and sand between the toes. It was such a weird feeling to stare out into the sea and know that direction would not lead me home. The sun rises with opportunity and growth for me in the East, but sets where I will find comfort with my home in the West. You cannot watch the sunset at the beach in New York. Realizing this, seeing it, was my reality check. I am on the other side of the country.

I walked back into downtown and decided to have dinner before going back to the train. I sat down at this really nice restaurant. My table was a small, cute one out on the back patio. I soaked up the outdoors as several waiters catered to my every need. I had a rather pricey, indulgent meal of salmon and tomatoes and mozzarella and more. Every bite was heaven. I love being alone and being comfortable to be so.

On the train, I was full of love, love, love. I was adventurous and meeting new people. I was in control of my destiny. I had seen a beautiful part of the world. I felt so Sex and the City. Ah, the Hamptons...

And that brings me back to now, day four of an eleven-day long session of camp. It took me a little time to readjust again to life at camp, but once I did, I quickly remembered the beauty of what I'm doing here. These children are amazing. I started a new art project with them this term. In it, I read them a story called "Have You Filled a Bucket Today?" The story talks about how you fill a person's inner bucket by saying or doing nice things for them, but empty it by being mean or doing bad things to another. We then decorate these cups with tissue paper, glitter, puff balls, and more and then write each other nice notes to stick in them. Therefore, we fill each other's buckets! It's pretty precious. The kids love it and I get a ton of awesome bucket fillers from them as well. I will have to post pictures of it soon. For now though, the pictures that accompany this blog are of the beach in Westhampton, a gratitude journal that was made in my art class by a camper last session, and my art room where I teach at camp. Enjoy! Until next time...