Pennsylvania Christian Camp 2008
A week in the kitchen!
August 5, 2008
As I was growing up, every year around the end of July I could hardly get to sleep because I knew that the next morning I was leaving for PCC for the week, located in the beautiful mountains of Blue Knob State Park, and from 1974 to 1982 I did just that every year, along with my three brothers. We all never got to attend the same week (which I'm sure quite a few got on bended knee in gratitude over that), but each one of us was just as excited. And you know what? That hasn't changed a bit!!
In 1996 as an adult (though some would argue that point) I worked at PCC for the first time as a counselor. Tough, tough job! My mom chose to work in the kitchen. Wise woman.
In 1997 we both switched gears and took care of the crafts that year. There was a lot of preparation involved, but we really liked it.
Since then I haven't been able to be a part of PCC until this year. So in 2008 mom and I once again packed our bags for camp where we both worked in the kitchen, and I realized something. I really, really missed that place. I missed the people, I missed sitting around singing praises to God just because we wanted to, which for some reason sounds and feels so much better with a beautiful view in front of you.
But most of all I missed that for one week there is this sense of peace that comes from knowing everyone there is of one faith, one hope, one goal, and the world just disappears for a bit along with all of its pressures to conform.
I also realized that standing on your feet all day is hard on the back, the knees and the poor feet, all of which were aching every night. After a week of that, I really needed to come home and get back to work to rest my body, and since most of you know what I do for a living you know that I get most of my exercise from the elbows down and am required to sit during that time, lol.
Below are some scenic pictures and pictures of staff. I chose not to include any pictures of the campers as I'm not sure their parents would approve, and the only two children you do see are the children of staff. The other "kids" in the pictures (though I'm sure they would not describe themselves as such) are a few of the junior staff.
The photos are as follows:
1. View from the mess hall
2. Sign in the mess hall that Regina made a while ago
3. The infamous gong
4. Bill (kitchen staff)
5. Nurse Barb
6. Gary (kitchen staff) - and yes, he had a different
one for every day
7. Gary and wife Regina (heads of the kitchen)
8. Winnie and Bev (kitchen staff)
9. Myself (Jackie) and my mom Sandy (kitchen staff)
10. Amber (Counselor/Sports) and husband Jeremy
(Maintenance)
11. Katie (Crafts) with son Zachary (pre-camper) and
sister Amber
12. Albert (Teacher) and his wife Winnie
13. Sue (Canteen) and husband Jeff (Director/Counselor)
and Jim (Director/Counselor)
14. Tracy, Missy (Teacher and wife to Jim) and Tracy's
mom Sharon (pre-camper teacher)
15. Jim and wife Missy with daughter Gracie, and Kim
16. Kim (Counselor) and Beth (Lifeguard/Counselor)
17. Left to right: Brian (Counselor), Ethan (Counselor),
Blase (Director/Counselor/Lifeguard) and Tracy
18. Some junior staff (sorry girls, I didn't get your
names)
19. Adam and Frankie (Junior staff)
20. "Make a Joyful Noise" always and forever. Amen
