This week was the first full week of summer camp and it was quite the week. When I wasn’t working on my marketing project, I was helping with the group of kindergarten through 2^ndgraders. Compared to my work last summer with the middle school group, this is a HUGE change. As expected, younger children are still figuring out their emotions and what activities they like and dislike – which can make it challenging to manage a group of 30 youngsters. I will say, though, that I have loved every second of my time with them, no matter how challenging or confusing it can feel. One thing that I have noticed, though, is that they are teaching me so much about compassion and selflessness.

One particular story sticks out that I honestly can’t stop sharing with people. One little boy who just finished kindergarten this year comes to camp every day sad that he has to leave his mom. When I came into camp on Thursday, he was sad to the point of being inconsolable; no redirection was helping him. After trying to redirect him many times, I finally said “why don’t we color our moms pictures so they will know how much we love and miss them while we are at camp.” Through this activity, he was able to calm himself down and still acknowledge that he missed his mom. Some of the little girls at camp asked him if they could join in coloring and he said yes. What one little girl said stuck out to me in terms of the magnitude of love that these children have for others. While making her card, the little girl said “I’m going to write ‘dear mom, you never have to give me anything because you are already my everything.’” This moment left me speechless, and almost a little jealous that I didn’t come up with that myself. The display of love each camper, not just these three children, shows for their family and friends is truly touching. It’s unconditional and so giving. Children display it towards each other, too. When one child cries, there are at least 4 others who ask if everything is ok and want to know what they can do to help. I think we should all be more like children in this way – loving others for the sake of someone else’s well- being and asking nothing in return. I’m jealous that children can be so adorable AND selfless all at once.