Butterfly

The bags are due the day prior to camp. The big utility truck travels to the four elementary schools to load up the luggage and haul it to camp two hours away. They dump the luggage out on the grass field bright and early tomorrow before the campers arrive. First assignment for the students will be to find their bag, their group, and their bunks.

We live in rain country so each bag, sleeping bag, and pillow must be tightly secured in a heavy duty bag. It is a real statement when they warn you that the luggage will be sitting outside prior to their arrival. The school is prepared for those that don't take "the rules" seriously, and have reams of garbage bags on hand to secure the luggage that is lacking a waterproof'd barrier before it's tossed into the truck.

My girl two years ago the day her luggage was taken to school, and the next day when she left for camp:

This morning my son took his luggage to school:

Same teacher means same hallway. Same teacher means her request of the same Guest Teacher that is handling the class the first two days of this week (our teacher is one of the few who attends Camp the entire week).  The Guest Teacher is also my dear friend, so it was fun walking down the hall before school opened to see her sweet face and cheerful attitude getting the excited and nervous kids to this stage of anticipation. Just like she did two years ago with my girl.

There is something calming to a Mom when you see other kids having the same common anxiety about this stage of the school year as your child. Yes, they are all very excited. But there is just this aura of uncertainty and teamwork that wafts through the halls of black bags piled on top of one another. Teamwork in making sure items are properly labeled, getting bags for those who forgot, helping muscles getting the items down the long hallway.

So great to know that kids that may be more hard to handle on a normal day (thankfully our 5th grade does not have major issues - at least not that I'm aware of - just personality differences really), actually pull together when they are all in the same position ~ first time ever to 5th Grade Camp. Comradery happens and that is settling to see.

4-H Club will take a huge portion of our evening after school tonight, and then it is off to bed and "trying to sleep" before my sweeeeeet son heads off to Camp early tomorrow morning.

Was that a butterfly ... ?