First, my interview for Camp Tahosa went fine. It felt great to get back in the scouting environment and be able to wear my uniform again. This year's camp director at Tahosa is Collin and he is the guy who interviewed me. He wasn't much older than me, and, while he has loads more experience than I do in Denver council, I'm confident that I could take his job in the next few years. I'm not saying he isn't good for the job -I'm saying I'm encouraged by how young he was. If anyone my near my age is qualified to run a camp, I am. And after my life-changing experience running Thunderbird NYLT (a leadership camp for scouts in Illinois), I'd love to get to the top of another totem pole and be able to run another camp.
When I'm in front of a large group people, and I can inspire and energize them with what I say, I get one of the best highs I've ever had. The only other time that I get that feeling is when I run: the moment you take over a race and move from second to first place, or realize that you're going to finish a new ultra distance, for example. There isn't much else in my life has come close to the feelings running and scouting have both given me. And nothing else could compare to what the two things have done for my developement as a person.
Second is the bad news. A counselor job (the job I expected to work) at Tahosa only pays $75 per week, although they do house and feed you. Thats only $600 saved after working all day, six days a week, all summer -and that's assuming I could save it all. I guess that's the price you pay for working at a primier scout camp -probly second only to Philmont Scout Ranch. As I sat on the numbers for a few days I realized that it wouldn't work. It's just not responsable for me to only bring in $300 a month. If I send my earnings to my girlfriend to pay half rent then I won't save anything all summer long. That's not something I can do right now with an 800+ dollar insurance bill coming at the end of the summer and a car that's gona need a new engine soon.
Thankfully, a bit of good news came a few days ago. I got a call from Collin asking if I'd like to be the Archery Director -a job that would pay at least double the original $75 per week. Suddenly, Tahosa is a option again.
God, watching this video makes me realize how ready I am for the simplicity of summer running. There's something magical about throwing on shorts and leaving, without the need to suite up.
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| thank you topozone.com for the map |
More to come as it unfolds
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