A Momentous Summer-2006

The summer of 2006 was a momentous summer for me for many reasons. I saw Grand Canyon, Las Vegas, and I became a contributing member of something grander than Grand Canyon: Sprout Creek Farm.

I have been a camper at Sprout Creek since I was in second grade. The first time I witnessed the beautiful, vibrant spirit and verve of the farm was on a field trip. It was the morning after Maggie, the goat had given birth to Olive and Magnolia. I fell in love with the farm and Olive that day, and since then I have never endured a summer without either.

Maggie
Magnolia, Morning Glory and Marigold
Olive

After many years of Day Camp, Girls Sleepover, Project Harvest, best friends coming and going, marvelous counselors, Olive and Magnolia having babies of their own, and volunteering in the Creamery I could finally carry out my dream to work as a counselor.  I was going to get paid for being at the most wonderful place on the planet for the entirety of the summer.  It was too good to be true.

         

During my four weeks of employment, I came to realize that being a counselor was very different from being a camper. You don’t have to sing or answer a question to get your dinner; there are no organized activities or ice-breakers; there is no scheduled bedtime; and no counselor in your bedroom.  You could eat when you were hungry, it was up to you to make your own friends and there were at least five counselors in every bedroom and I was one of them.  The “Staff Only” signs now applied to me.
My role at Sprout Creek this summer was reversed. I no longer participated in fun activities with my friends. I now led the fun activities.  I was no longer being entertained, I was now the entertainer. I was no longer being taught. I was now the teacher. My job was to cater to the children. My niche at the farm was to ensure that that the children were safe, happy, and educated.
I was at first saddened that I was no longer a camper, but I came to an epiphany one Monday morning when I was directing traffic. I was standing on Lauer Road in my cowboy hat and suddenly the image of my old counselor, Jesse, directing traffic in his cowboy hat came to mind. I thought he was the coolest guy in the world. I remembered what an effect my counselors had on me. I adored my counselors. I wanted to be just like them. Then I realized what a wonderful and important position I was in. Now I was a role model. I was an “adult.” I had a huge opportunity to effect these children positively or negatively.  So I decided that I was going to stand out on the road smiling, looking as welcoming as I could because I was the first face these children and parents would see. I wanted to represent Sprout Creek the best I could.
That morning as the cars were pulling in, the parent of a returning camper said to me, “My daughter was so excited this morning when she saw you. She started screaming, ‘It’s Julie! It’s Julie!’” The simple fact that a camper remembered me and was excited to see me made my whole summer worthwhile.

Although I miss my days as a camper, I look forward to many more years of being a counselor. Sprout Creek will always be a part of my life, its place in my life has just transformed. I will embrace the new role it has instead of longing for my days as a camper.

          One of the most important lessons I have learned on the farm is that everything has a purpose; everything has a reason for being. Everything is constantly growing and changing with each season and stage of life. We are all a part of this cycle. Sprout Creek planted a seed in me. It has been nurtured and has grown throughout the years. It is now time to spread my seeds. It is my turn to nurture. The cycle continues.

- Julie Fiore
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