Living in College Station and working at Texas A&M has allowed me to do and see lots of amazing things. I've worked with the most incredible students that host amazing and impactful programs, created working relationships that have turned into fruitful and encouraging friendships, and travelled the world from Costa Rica (pre blogging) to Doha, Qatar. Our campus is filled with intelligent, thoughtful, courageous humans each and every day.
My first week as an Aggie was monumental because the George H.W. Bush Library opened. Classes were cancelled for the day and our little town was filled with everyone from dignitaries and politicians (Former and current Presidents) to celebrities (Chuck Norris, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarznegger). I sat in the living room of my 2nd story apartment and watched every bit of the "opening" and then honestly, didn't give much thought to what the library would mean for me.
I had no idea the opportunities and experiences we would be given because a President chose our campus for his honored museum. Over the years, I would run into Mr. and Mrs. Bush - sometimes quite literally - like the time I was looking down reading the campus paper (it was the 90s) and ran into a person. I quickly started apologizing as I looked up to only be immediately speechless as I saw it was President Bush I had run into in the middle of the hallway of our student union. Y'all.
Fast forward a decade and I had seen them at events, programs, ceremonies, Musters, football games, etc... but not until I was advising MSC Hospitality did I get the chance to interact in an intimate setting with either of them. This student organization hosted literacy events that were supported by a grant established by the Barbara Bush Literacy Corps. Every year the BBLC would host a luncheon that showcased the work and impact of grant recipients.
Each group or organization got to spend a few moments with Mrs. Bush and I always wore my pearls. She was as much sugar and spice as everyone says she is. Witty, sarcastic, intelligent, charming, graceful. Feisty and feminine. Sassy and smart. Humble and heartfelt.
And an incredible inspiration to serve.
There was no question whether or not I would line the streets of College Station to pay my last respects to her.
I parked my car, grabbed my camera and waited. I got there early and little by little the street began to fill. You could hear people sharing favorite stories about her... things they'd read or seen. Current articles about the impact she made.
Little girls in pearls. Men holding flags.
And all too soon, the lights got closer and her motorcade began to approach.
The street got eerily silent allowing you to hear people removing ball caps as the family approached.
And as you looked around you could feel the difference she made in so many people. Everyone came together to say goodbye to an American icon. A woman that made a difference to her country, for her country.
I'm honored that I got to shake her hand and humbled that the work I do was able to support the vision of such an influential American woman.
Rest in peace, Mrs. Bush.
Thank you for your patriotism and pearls of wisdom.
By the beginning of the third day, these Wee3Kings had the routine down. Up, dressed, teeth brushed and out the door on their scooters. Dear Conner and Elizabeth - thanks for suggesting they ride scooters into the welcome - that's why we had them in the car and they were the SMARTEST idea ever. Co-chairs for the win.
The Wee260freshmen also had the routine down and were much more excited by 9am than on day 1. To watch the transformation of the freshmen is so fascinating no matter how many times you witness it - they all go from unsure to totally excited. THAT is what Fish Camp is about - getting you outside of your comfort zone, helping you gain confidence and surrounding you with 100s of other people that are also unafraid to act like crazy fools.
;)
One of my favorite parts of camp is the Community of Respect program. Way back in 1997 this was just a 20 minute activity. Flash forward 20 years and this is a dedicated time each day of camp to talk about real topics in a setting that provides comfort and support. The co-chairs and counselors share real examples from their lives of times that they were challenged and had to overcome something. Defining moments can include a death, a failed course, a friend coming out, or a number of other things.
These counselors put so much out there to make sure that these freshmen (people they JUST MET) have the best start to their college journey. Goodness, makes me tear up just thinking about it.
This is done in between the silly and sarcastic... they are breaking down barriers while building up relationships. These were the only DG times I didn't let the kids participate and y'all... Radley was so mad at me! ha.... he couldn't understand why he couldn't sit with the big kids and do what they were doing. I told him, somethings needed to wait until he was admitted into A&M. He forgot about it quickly when he got to "run" the lull signs.
At one point, I decided I could probably leave and go have a nice lunch in the big town of Palestine without anyone noticing I left.
Also, the irony that my children needed things LOUDER? Ha!
So up until 10 years or so ago, each camp came up with a theme that carried throughout the entire week. Banners, hump-its (cheers to non-Aggies), shirts, decorations, etc... all centered around a central theme.
Camp Severn Psychedelic Street Squadron (Session B, Purple)
Camp Morgan Pirates of the Lost Ark (Session B, Aqua)
Camp Carroll Raiders of the Lost Toy Chest (Session B, Purple)
Camp Carielli George Costanza's Big Top Bonanza (Session C, Purple)
Camp Guercio Stewy and Hutch (Session B, Yellow)
Now they make up TONS of different ideas centered around the camp name - they totally nailed my childhood with the Copeland Banner (this is the banner that ALL the camps see... so each camp wants to be the best. We clearly won.)
Although Radley had his own favorite...
One of the newer (to me) traditions at Fish Camp is the Yell Off. Think dance battle with words. Better yet - think Eminem vs anyone else. Ha! This is a horrific quality photo, but please note who is front row Joeing it....
You won't really understand any of this - but it's worth a watch. 2 minutes of sass and sarcasm with snark on top. I LOVE IT!!! Seriously, this is totally my jam.
After the yell off the entire session does a mini Yell Practice - Emersyn made a friend at camp named Emerson and she was also 7 and they were instantly obsessed with each other.
Fighting Texas Aggie Class of 2021 you stole my heart.
And this crew of fearless of leaders wasn't too bad either.
And this member of the Class of 2030 is ready to move in any day now.
At this point, everyone is a **little** tired. The day begins winding down which just means that the night is just warming up.
Which means it's time to party. The co-chairs get to be on stage during the mixers and the King kiddos got special permission to join them onstage.
Y'all. I cannot even a little bit explain the fear I have of these girls going to college. As soon as they jumped on to the stage and into the spotlight and heard the roaring thunder of applause from their amazing dance moves, a fire was fueled. Emmy came running over to me, "DID YOU HEAR THEM SCREAMING FOR US! We are FAMOUS!"
(Dear Jesus, please know that I do my best to make them humble. Please don't let fame go to their heads. Amen.)
This kid was less impressed. I'm not sure how many times he had to hear a college kid come up to the girls and tell me how cute they were. But he puts up with "the sisters" so well. He also gets to do big things that they don't, so I think it helps him handle their "fame".
Oh. And Justin was still the favorite.
I'm not sure how we stayed awake but we managed to hang on to the very end.
(Also, nice photobomb, Austin.)
On the last night of camp the freshmen are treated to a special campfire speaker .... themselves. They are lead into their camp rooms and sit in a circle told that they are going to hear from an amazing speaker. And then they wait until finally one freshman figures out that they are the ones that get to speak. One by one they find the courage to share their story. Sometimes it's light hearted, some times it's deep, all the time it is an honor to play witness to the next generation of Aggies realizing that Aggieland is a unique place. We are full of our fair share of problems... but we do a pretty good job of welcoming you in to the biggest craziest family around.
The girls fell fast asleep ...
while Radley hung on every word.
At this point, I'm not sure when I'll be back at Lakeview. So saying goodbye was bittersweet. This trip was especially meaningful because, well... kids. Y'all. I got to watch my kids go to Fish Camp. Who gets to do that?
I got to see them really "get" what being an Aggie means. For days after all of their games centered around something they did or saw or played at Fish Camp. They whoop when they are excited. They reenact skits and try to do the yells and have their Camp King bracelets on. They pick out their camp shirts to wear. They want to know when they will see Bayle and Nevins and Justin and Zack and Coach Conner and all of the Aggies again. They want to know if Camp King is going to do something when school starts. (Are we?)
I got to see them really become Aggies. Not just because it's where I went to school. Or where Ryan and I met. Or because I have that ring on my finger. I got to see them choose Aggieland. And that's a gift that I will forever be grateful for.
Being a namesake is hard to describe...when I was a freshman, I never would have imagined that a camp would be named after me. Twenty years later and it's happened twice. I'm not sure what I did to deserve the recognition but I am so grateful that I got to witness Fish Camp from this view. The person in the back of the room that just gets to soak it all in and hopefully make an impact in some form or fashion. I hope my words found meaning to someone. I hope they know that my office door is always open to them. Even if it's to just one person - I aim to make a difference. Because they have all made a difference to me.
Ryan left for Houston dark and early which left me with these three for the remainder of camp. I'm pretty sure I couldn't think of a better description for our crew.
;)
My kids really love a routine and they adapt pretty quickly so by the first camptime of the morning, they were ready to go. And by "go", I clearly mean "be in charge". They kept sneaking behind stage to help give directions.
If they weren't behind the stage then they were in someone's lap...
or causing a distraction.
There's kind of this August "Lakeview effect" which means that the entire summer can be a drought until Fish Camp starts and then it storms. I was actually grateful for the rain because clouds mean cooler temperatures and adorable raincoats.
Seriously, bless these counselors. Not only were they in charge of 22 freshmen, they patiently let my three tag along wherever they went.
There's a special group of students at Fish Camp that run everything behind the scenes. "Crew" has spare sheets, toothbrushes, bandaids, and most importantly.... unlimited icee pops. We made sure to stop by at least once/day.
We did our best to work around the rain which may have included sitting in the car during free time to watch a movie.
And the best nap I have ever taken. I told them we needed to rest for at least 45 minutes.... two hours later and they finally agreed to wake up.
Want to know a Fish Camp secret? They have hospitality room for special guests... and that's where they keep the good stuff. Like cokes. Which obviously means Dr. Pepper to me.
At some point, Emmy lost her tooth during the day and miracle of miracles we managed NOT to lose it and the tooth fairy even visited that night even though she was completely exhausted from all of the things.
As the day winded down, we headed back to camp room for more DG time...
which meant riding scooters for the girls...
(can we pause and reflect on their outfits from head to toe? Those fanny packs slay me. Thanks, Aunt Kelly and Anna for letting us borrow yours!)
while Radley actually participated with the group.
I'm not sure how Elizabeth managed to run the camp and keep up with them. Also they are still obsessed with her mermaid hair.
They finished their last camptime of the day before heading to Copeland for the traditions program.
I have seen this program at least a dozen times. I have heard the stories. I have watched the videos, and I have lived some of these moments. Silver Taps, Aggie Muster, Bonfire... this is not new to me. And yet, I leave with tears in my eyes every single time. Session B was unique this year in that one of the counselors from the red camp passed away this summer. Tragedy forges bonds unlike most things can... especially in Aggieland. Watching these freshmen witness the Spirit was a true gift and I feel extremely honored to have had that opportunity. Because videos only tell part of a story, you can only understand so much and the rest you have to experience for yourself. Those freshmen felt without a doubt that the entire session wanted to honor and pay tribute to a person that some of them had never even met. Not because of anything more than the fact that she is an Aggie.
We ended our day listening to Elizabeth and Conner impart some of their wisdom on the camp and then headed to the biggest pj flashback party you've ever seen.
And I'm glad we had on our pjs because we were all ready for some sleep before day 3...
Wife to a hot UPS man and momma to #wee3kings... my motto is the more the merrier so everyone always has a seat at our table. Love God. Love others. Everyone is welcome.. and no one leaves hungry.
