Stop! Denver Time

Second week of training was pretty intense.  I learned all of the specific details to the ins and outs of each day of my job.  I am also CPR and first aid certified, tech savvy, trained in meal preparation for large groups and accounting, learned about servant leadership, conflict management, finding partner organizations, understanding denominational differences, how to deal with serious issues, just to name a few.   I definitely feel prepared but not ready (as they keep telling us we will feel).  We know how each day should run, but there is no way we can be ready for how each day will run.  Project organizations can fall through, youth groups can show up with half or double the amount of campers they said they would, adults can give us trouble, someone could get sick, who knows! (so far the unknown is exciting...stress may be to come). 

The last day at Estes was sad.  Saying goodbye to friends from training was hard.  We all grew close after spending practically 24 hours a day for two weeks together.  Luckily we can all meet up for a final week in Loveland for exit interviews before we head home for the summer.  So as of last night, I am in DENVER!!  I LOVE it here, the city has a very relaxed vibe.  It's clean and feels safe and has a lot to offer.  I have only had a chance to explore a little so far today.  16th street mall is a mile long strip with everything from food, to shops and no cars passing through. (this was ok i got bored and it felt touristy after a while). BUT then i found Lamier Square on 15th which is really cool.  It has food and boutiques, but none are chain stores and so it feels like SOHO in NYC.  I passed a large park on the way and talked to a waiter about other places to go, it sounds like I have plenty more sections to visit.  

My camp starts this coming Sunday and I cannot wait to get started.  I really do not know what to expect until week one is over.  So this week, I have some free time to explore the city, but majority of my time will be spent getting in touch and meeting my contacts at my Partner organizations to prepare them for our campers as well as set up our camp.

Denver and Colorado as  whole has been great so far.  Although I must say that summer weather has not quite yet set in.   June 2nd brought snow and yesterday we had a torrential downpour and a tornado, followed by hail so much so that we had to pull off the road... it looked like it was the middle of winter!  All to say the experience so far has been great and I can not wait for the adventure God has planned for me and for the campers and the city of Denver!