A change in the glass

The week before Spring Break, I volunteered to
be a chaperone at outdoor education for a local
elementary school.
My friends and teachers questioned my reasoning
as to why I would want to makeup a week’s worth of
class work, especially with Spring Break only a week
away. Trust me, I was not excited to do the makeup
work, but I felt that I couldn’t give up the opportunity
of going to outdoor ed.
Why, you ask? Well, let me tell you.
In sixth grade, I was beyond excited to go to
Woodleaf because my homeroom teacher hinted to
me that my best friend and I would be put in the same
cabin.
I was ecstatic.
When we first arrived to Woodleaf, we had a quick
meeting to announce our counselors and cabin mates.
During this meeting I thought I would be relieved
because I was going to be with my best friend for a
whole week. Once they announced my best friend’s
name, I expected to hear mine following.
But, I didn’t.
As a sixth grader, that crushed me. I felt hopeless.
I kept hoping it was a mix up and they just forgot to
announce my name.
But, no. I was put in a cabin with nine other girls.
Five girls I never spoke to, my distant cousin who I
loathed, her best friend and two girls I had previously
requested.
Devastated, I attempted to just put a smile on my
face and make the most of it.
But, when we picked bunks, I was left with a random
bottom bunk in a corner, nowhere near anyone
recognizable – it was the last straw.
My glass was officially half empty and only two
hours had passed of a week long trip.
To make my trip that much better, my counselor was
a whiny 17-year-old who was more interested in her
boyfriend than anything outdoorsy related. She faked
migraines “coincidentally” during classes, daily.
Her boyfriend “just happened” to be a male counselor,
Russell Crow (nature name), and our cabin “just
happened” to sit by his cabin during every single
meal. Shocker!
The only time I saw my best friend and other
friends was during classes, which didn’t seem like
much time at all.
And I counted the days until we got home, like a
little Debbie Downer, until they were gone.
Six years later, I was thrown the opportunity to be a
counselor at outdoor ed. There was no way I could’ve
given up the offer.
For six years, I contemplated going as a counselor
because maybe it would be a closure to my horrible
experience previously.
Before I left, I promised myself I would be positive
during the entire trip, no matter what was put in front
of me. All said and done, I truly am happy I went.
I was given a cabin of five girls who were hilarious,
fun, yet slightly nerdy. Although they loved Invader
Zim, I surprisingly had a lot of common interests with
them.
The entire trip was entertaining and I don’t regret
skipping a week of school to chaperone 12 year-olds.
I didn’t need community service hours for government
class or college applications like some other
chaperones. I went for me.
I mean, makeup work can’t be that bad, right?
***
Elica Aramesh, a senior, is a Gazette advertising
manager.