I guess this is kinda like work...

Sorry about the lack of posts! Promise to find more time as soon as camp is done!

So, This week I'm running an age group! I'm running the trailblazers, the 10, 11 and 12 year old kids. Which means I have to run C.D. every morning (CD stands for character development), and each day we talk about a different YMCA value (honesty, caring, respect and responsibility).

Today was the last one of the summer, so I decided to do something different, I read them this poem.

Drop a pebble in the water; just a splash and it is gone;
But there's half a hundred ripples circling on and on and on,
Spreading, spreading from the centre, flowing on out to the sea.
And there is no way of telling where the end is going to be.

Drop a pebble in the water; in a minute you forget;
But there's little waves a-flowing, and there's ripples circling yet,
And those little waves a-flowing to great big wave have grown;
You've disturbed a mighty river just by dropping in a stone.

Drop an unkind word, or careless; in a minute it is gone;
But there's half a hundred ripples circling on and on and on.
They keep spreading, spreading, spreading from the centre as they go,
And there is no way to stop them, once you've started them to flow.

Drop an unkind word or careless; in a minute you forget;
But there's little waves a flowing, and there's ripples circling yet,
And perhaps in some sad heart a might wave of tears you've stirred.
And disturbed a life that was happy as you dropped that unkind word.

Drop a word of cheer and kindness; just a flash and it is gone;
But there's half a hundred ripples circling on and on and on,
Bearing hope and joy on each splashing, dashing wave
Till you wouldn't believe the volume of the one kind word you gave.

Drop a word of cheer and kindness; in a minute you forget;
But there's gladness still a-swelling, and there's joy a-circling yet,
And you've rolled a wave of comfort whose sweet music can be heard
Over miles and miles of water just by dropping one kind word.

~James W. Foley

I was trying to show them that everything they do has an effect, whether it is instant or a more long term thing. They are gonna be the ones making the world-changing decisions in 10, 20, or 30 years... I wanted them to realize that!

Keep it safe kiddies,
Jamie
Veg
Banana