The Diocesan Dialogue
Current Issue
October 2007

Working at Camp Tuttle

By Elmer "Pepsi" Downs

A few months before graduating from Judge Memorial High School back in 2000, a friend of mine asked me what I would be doing with my summer.

I had no plans.

She told me that she had worked for Camp Tuttle for a couple of summers, and that she thought it would be something I might enjoy. I agreed with her insincerely, not really giving the idea much contemplation.

Within a few days, the peer ministry facilitator at Judge (now known as Karen VanWinkle) mentioned to me that Melanie Lees had phoned, inquiring about leaders from the school who might be good camp counselors. Karen also encouraged me to apply.

How was I to know what the next eight years would hold for me at Camp Tuttle?

Over these past eight summers, (and seven off-seasons) my life has become entwined in this phenomenon wherein I have learned a lot about who I am and of what I am capable.

I have grown spiritually, matured emotionally, learned some business skills, and I've loved. This has been a wonderful year to say goodbye to this rewarding, exciting, and fun job, and I thank each of the nearly 200 campers who attended Camp Tuttle Adventure Camp 2007 for their contribution to my summer experience.

Camp Tuttle is this place outside the realm of reality.

It's not really about the buildings, or even about being in the beautiful wilderness of Big Cottonwood Canyon.

Camp Tuttle is an essence.

It's being gathered together to learn, to have fun, to grow, and to experience each other's lives, surrounding ourselves with love, acceptance, and joy.

In getting to know hundreds and hundreds of children, their parents, priests, counselors, teachers, and volunteers unteers, I have learned more life lessons than one should really know at the young age that I have acquired.

I know now that life is precious, and love is fragile. I know that I can be deeply thankful for the simplest of things.

I know that it doesn't take a lot to touch someone's life, yet it's not easy. I know what it is to be a staff member at Camp Tuttle.

It's learning the rules and safety to the dozens of ropes course events up, down, sideways and backwards, knowing that those are the directions that kids will be flying when they play.

It's being as positive, patient, kind, and upbeat as possible, 24 hours-a-day, from Sunday at noon until Friday at 3, for almost two months straight.

It's griping about things that go wrong, and campers who misbehave, only to forget the bad things by the end of the summer and know that it was all worth your time, and ultimately only recalling the great things that happened.

It's watching that third grader who can't sit still or participate appropriately grow into a high school leader with wit, charm and intelligence; and knowing that you had a small hand in shaping that person.

It's waking up early and drinking a giant cup of coffee so that you can at least look like you're listening to the table-full of eightyear- olds talking themselves into fits at the breakfast table; and realizing that you cared about what they said when you pass their amusing anecdotes onto the rest of the staff at the end-of-the-week meeting.

It's reminding yourself that it's normal for third graders to wet the bed every now and then, fifth graders to get homesick once in a while, and seventh graders to treat each other badly and frequently; and learning how (and being courageous enough) to counteract those instances with understanding and kindness.

It's waking up in the middle of the night because someone had to use the restroom, not being able to fall back asleep, and still attending breakfast at 8 a.m. (albeit, still in your pajamas).

It's laughing. A lot. It's trying to remember 60 kids' names each week, and then again two weeks later when they come to say hello as they drop off their older sister. And when looking like a dolt because you've forgotten someone's name, it's still being glad to see a camper.

It's wondering what will happen to the kids who were your friends for a brief moment in their life and yours; wondering if you'll be remembered, and hoping that you've had a positive impact.

To the scores of people with whom I've worked – I hope that you had as good a time working at camp as I have, and I pray that all your future endeavors will be as fruitful, fun, and fulfilling. To all of those campers who once knew me as "Pepsi," a member of the Camp Tuttle staff - may your lives be filled with at least as much happiness, joy, acceptance, respect, and love as we always tried to provide.

I have truly been honored by this experience.

God bless.

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