High Rope Training

Scott Simmonds (Executive Director) and me - pouring water on my head, thanks Scott! :P

His grandparents were the ones to start the camp in 1984.

Me on the "screamer"

Again (before being released)

PKRC decorative spools

Screamer

Catwalk on left (horizontal telephone pole) - person on pole is getting ready to climb across the rope - middle area is the platform where the zip line starts - other side of the tower has the 50 foot rock climbing wall

The past weekend we spent the entire day outside doing high ropes training. I have a sweet neck tan line, because I thought my hair would cover my neck. Wrong!

We tried all of the high ropes activities and got certified to lead each activity. Activities include a rock climbing wall, catwalk (walk across a telephone pole and also walk across a rope), zip line, surfer ("skateboard" alone a cable), and the screamer (swing) all taking place at about 50 feet. They were all a blast to try, although I was terrified to let go of the telephone pole you climb up. But, I conquered my fears though.

We've spent a lot of time bonding as a staff group, which has been a ton of fun. We went out a couple of times to a bar/dance club called "Wild Country." We learned country line dances and learned to two-step (traditional country couple dance). It wasn't until I went to this bar that I realized I was really in Texas.

The weather is very hot, dry, and in the 90s. I'm loving the heat! I'm sure that will change when it reaches 110 in July.

I couldn't ask for a better group of camp counselors to work with. I am definitely going to cherish the friendships I make here and learn lots from these people. They are my family away from home! :) There's a lot of laughter that echoes through this camp, and I believe that is why they call PKRC "Heaven on Earth." What an amazing experience!!

I will be uploading more photos and blogging this weekend, so check it out. Thanks Y'ALL!!!

Texas Vocabulary:

Swole (phonetically "sw-U-l") - strong, muscular

Ex. Travis went to the gym to get his swole on.

Haas - a swole person

*Note: I have been here for 5 days and ALREADY lost my voice once. I will be adding a mug of tea with honey to my morning routine. Thank you vocal nodules for complicating my life!

Road trip to Texas

So, my parents and I FINALLY made it to Texas yesterday...what a drive (19-20 hours)!! At least the terrain was gorgeous. (I captured the picture to the right on our way through southern Missouri).

We left around 10:30 on Tuesday morning (after I went to the orthodontist to have new retainers fitted...and yes, they will be sent in the mail to me at camp, lol). On the way to my mom's cousin Sharl's place we saw a few random animals: a camel, a peacock, and, of course, dead armadillos along the roadside. With a bit of luck and the "help" from the GPS, we found Sharl and Doug's place-talk about a remote location. You drive through such a rural area and then, finally, you find their home. They live in a planned community next to the 9th hole of a golf course, but it is in the coolest area. Their home is in a valley and surrounded by large hills covered in different shades of green trees. It was absolutely beautiful!

We left early Wednesday morning and traveled to Killeen, TX, to visit the camp. Tyler, a fellow PKRC staff member (who has worked for PKRC for the past 4 years), took us on a detailed 2 hour tour of most of the camp grounds on the golf cart. I'm so glad my parents made the trip down with me to experience that. Pictures definitely won't do this camp justice. It's AWESOME!! There is SO much for the kids to do! I can't wait to try everything out this week at our staff orientation camp. :)

The theatre at the camp is a real movie theatre with a movie screen. Tyler said they hook up RockBand and American Idol, so the kids can watch each other play on the large screen. He also said it is where we will have Talent Shows each week (staff included). Very cool...

We saw the different rope courses (known as the low and high rope courses). The low ropes courses are used for team building activities. The high ropes, which I am very excited to try out, include a 50+ foot rock climbing wall, a zip line, and a huge rope swing (goes about 40 or 50 feet in the air at its highest point). I'm pumped to try all of these!!

The camp also has a very nice pool, lake (we didn't see the lake yesterday), and sports court. Tyler said a slip-n-slide is set up nearly the whole time, and I believe he said it was four feet high off the ground.

There is also the sweetest golden retreiver that lives at the camp named McKenzie. She's a real sweetheart.

My parents left on an early flight out of Austin today. So, now, I am all alone in the big state of Texas.

I'm headed back to Killeen for my first day of camp. Wish me luck!

I will update pictures of the camp as soon as I get a chance.

Relaxing day in the sun

My cousin Melissa is visiting until tomorrow afternoon, so we spent most of the afternoon by the pool soaking up the sun. It is SUCH a beautiful day!

We are heading downtown to shop for some last minute items for me to take to camp:
hiking shoes and extra socks and underwear.

Any other useful item ideas that will keep me cool this summer in 100 degree weather? Someone had suggested I get a CamelBak (water reservoir in a small backpack), which my sister is providing me.

Or does anyone know how to keep cockroaches and tarantulas away? I am extremely worried about the spiders...

Countdown to road trip: 2 days!

I CAN'T BELIEVE I LEAVE ON TUESDAY!!!!

Saturday "Goodbye" Party

Today, family members gathered at my parent's house for a "goodbye" party for me, as well as to celebrate two cousins' graduations and my aunt's birthday. It was great to see everyone one last time before I leave for the summer. The picture is a card my Aunt Nancy made for me - "Texas or Bust!" ...love it!

I applied for the camp counselor position at PKRC back in January and received the phone call with the job offer at the end of April. I can't believe how soon I will actually be leaving for Texas for the summer. I have been waiting for far too long.

http://www.peaceablekingdomretreat.com/ (PRKC website-check it out)

Both my mom and dad are planning on driving me down to Texas. We will be splitting the drive up between Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday, we plan on driving down through Missouri, stopping in Hannibal and Branson, and making our way to Arkansas to spend the night at my mom's cousin's house. Wednesday, we will be driving through Killeen, stopping to check out the camp, then down to Austin, Texas to spend the evening. My parents will be flying out of Austin early Thursday morning, and I will be heading to PKRC for my first day of camp! :D

Countdown to the road trip: 3 Days