This week was quite low key compared to previous weeks – as it was the first of two weeks with no Young Masters or Teens at camp and the museum was closed for two days due to the holiday. A three-day week!

During camp weeks, the energy in the museum is very high, and such days are filled with lots of tasks and engagement with many different people – campers, parents, supervisors, and teachers.

This week, with no campers to tend to, most of my duties were related to cleaning up from the previous camp week and organizing materials for the upcoming sessions. This was an enjoyable shift as organization is something that I find meditative. I was also able to exercise my creativity by making sample projects for future lessons. I created a small alien out of polymer clay, as well as some “unearthly” plants, both of which will be added to an outer space-themed landscape that will serve as an example for an upcoming project. I also was able to come up with ideas for lesson plans for the upcoming camp, and I am super excited to see how the kids react to the projects. I try my best to come up with projects that will be engaging to the campers, as well as be something that they will want to display proudly to their friends and family. I love being able to complete the projects myself as it gives me a chance to tap into my creative side. The other upside is that becoming familiar with the activity before the lesson is actually taught helps me be able to better guide the campers through the activity if needed.

Each week, I learn so much from the people around me, regardless of whether there is a camp. Throughout the past 5 weeks of the fellowship, I have honed my time management skills and understand better how and when to delegate. It has been a gift to have multiple supervisors, each of whom has taught me many valuable things. One skill I’ve learned and taken into my everyday life is how to better accommodate the people around me who may be relying on me for support and comfort. Each week, my confidence in my abilities grows, through positive experiences with my supervisors and the campers.

I am so thankful for all that I have learned so far this summer and am eager to explore more of the museum operations, and these non-camp weeks allow more flexibility to do just that!