Camp Summit

Story Index

My attention in this piece will mainly focus on my experience this past summer at a place called Camp Summit. Camp Summit is a sleep-away camp located in up-state Wurtsburo, New York. I spent two months at Camp Summit as an "Inter-Girls" counselor, or counselor for twelve year old girls. Camp Summit is a coed camp catering to children from Long Island, New York. To share with you what this experience has provoked in me I find it appropriate to site various journal entries written at different points of my summer exprience at Camp Summit. This journal may skip from very happy times to very confused and angyr times. I will begin my unraveling with my arrival at Camp Summit....

24 June 1996- I'm here at Camp Summit in Wurtsburo, New York. It's very difdifferent here from Chicago. Where about 2,000 feet above sea level. My ears pop every time I go up and down the hills. I enjoy S meeting the different types of people here( London, England, Ireland, and New Yorkers).They all have very different accents. The London men like to sing and they think U.S. version of highschool prom is unique. They get their stereotypes of Americans from T.V. sitcoms like " Saved by The Bell". Some of the men are very obnoxious in their silly ways. I find much humor S in their imiaturity. We have been here a day less of a week. Many of the girls here are home sick. I could imagine I would be too if I only focused on the people I missed at home. The children will arrive tomorrow. I look forward S to their youth and laughter. Story Index

26 June 1996- The children just arrived yesterday(bus loads). Most of the children are from Long Island, NY. They are very priviledged children who really have no concept of the value of money. They have no idea that every child is not like them. Some children do not know how to make their beds, seams very strange to me. For the most part they just want attention. I have girld going into 7th grade. Most of them are nice young girls. This summer is going to be a great S learning experience.

02 July 1996- The girls are go-carting as we speak. Some counselors here and myself had a group complain session the other day. We all complain that we have no rights and no free time. A bunch of counselors have already quit. This is not an easy job and sometimes not fun. It's not easy to be treated like a child. S I am not one and expect to be treated as an adult. They have a real problem treating their employees with respect here. They expect us to be super human, and I refuse to kiss butt. PS- It's still the first week, hopefully it will get better!!! Story Index

11 July 1996- I just wrote Desiree a Birthday card. I can't believe I forgot S her birthday. This place has turned me into a scatter brain. We went White Water Rafting on Tuesday. We went to Pennsylavnia which was three hours away from Camp. I believe we passed through the Pocono Mountains, "The Home Of The Honeymoon". The rapids S were not all that exiting. I had expected a little more danger. It was agreat lesson in team cooperation though most of these girls don't know the meaning. By the way, I still cannot wait to go home. S Iv'e met some wonderful friends here, but this place is a horrible excuse for employment. The way they treat their employees is absolutely unacceptable. I will write a letter of complaint when I return home. Moreover I will sue them if I find a reason.

16 July 1996- Oliver quit camp today. He said he could not stand by and watch children be abused. He reported counselors for abuse, and the counselors threatened him. Neil also threatened to fire him if he didn't keep his mouth shut. S This place is pretty sick like that. Most people are afraid to acknowledge anything wrong here. S I was very upset yesterday and will probably be for the rest of the summer. S Oliver was a great guy and I hated to see him go. He said he was going to try to find a youth hostile in the city. All the good employees and the real people have left. I can hardly blame them. S The only great thing is that I made alot of new friends. One's I have grown close to and hopefully will stay close to. S I hope Oliver takes the time to write me. I would like to know he is OK. It will be hard, but I hope to keep in touch with him. I really can't wait till this summer is over. Story Index

29 July 1996- I received a letter from Oliver yesterday. S I was quite exited, it put me in a good mood. He is at a camp in New York City for inner city kids. Quite different from this place. He said he stayed at a youth hostile for a few days before "Camp America" placed him. Me, Michelle, Ronny, and Catherine may go to Boston for a few days after camp. I don'y really have the money, but what the hell, you only live once. This place really doesn't bother me anymore. I don't like it, but it doesn't bother me. The counselors her are very different, namely Jaimee and Stacey. Some of them have physical beauty but are ugly people inside. Very cold hearted which would explain why I can't relate to them! They are also extremely opinionated at anybody's emotional expense. I believe there is a time and a place for everything. They do not!!

09 August 1996- O.K. we went on our overnight trip. What an experience....Me, Michelle, Ronny, Catherine, Anthony, Yon, Craig, and Mike. It took us five hours to travel an hour and a half away. We were drinking so it didn't quite seam that long. S Craig is a complete idiot, locked himself ixn the van, and locked us out. We went to "Action Park" after we slept for all of three hours. I took it upon myself to sleep in the van during the day for two hours sweating buckets. We then left to drive to Middletown for Pizza Hut. Well we stopped in every town on the way and never made it to Pizza Hut. What a shock. S I was quite disturbed so I decided not to talk in fear of what would come out of my mouth if I had. We ate at what was equivalent to a Denny's, OOOh thrill. Anyway, did I tell you I'm not going to Boston. S I just really need to go home.. Story Index

21 August 1996- Ok. so I'm back home. S A better transition than I thought it would be. I'm finding it hard to get back into the swing of things as I feel my absence has somehow impacted my relationships with people. Sigle tells me he noticed I'm more quiet than before. I can't decide if this is a good or a bad thing. Do I really give a shit? I really don't feel like talking, and when I do, I will. PS. Remember to keep in touch with Michelle, Oliver, Jaimee, and Mike. In that order!!!

A note on the journal entries.... I haven't really given camp much thought until now. I still can't decide what it is about camp that made me so incredibly unhappy. I do know however that I have no desire to repeat the experience, nor to really talk about the experience to those who were not there. Camp Summit provoked some of the most powerful emotions in me. At times I was more happy than I had ever been, and at times I felt more sad than I had ever imagined. Some people don't ever get the chance to experience such extreme emotions, I'm glad I had the chance. On a happy note, I did manage to keep in touch with Michelle, Jaimee, and Mike. Oliver on the other hand, I have yet to hear from!! Story Index

Emotion Structure of The Story:

  • Emotions
    1. Joy. S The NARRATOR is pleased she is making new and interesting friends.
      • Physical well being:3 (the NARRATOR experiences comfort)
      • Ecstacy:3 (the NARRATOR in state of euphoria)
      • Importance to agent of achieving goals: 10 (the NARRATOR very much desires to achieve her goal)
    2. Hope. S The NARRATOR looks forward to the childrens youth and laughter.
      • Temporal Proximity:0.8 (in the near future)
      • Certainty:0.5 ( almost certain but not exactly)
      • Importance to agent of not having goal blocked:10 (the NARRATOR'S summer experience is based on the childrens happiness)
    3. Gratitude. S The NARRATOR admires the foreign men for bringing humor to her camp experience.
      • Appealingness:8 (the NARRATOR considers the foreign men's humor appealing.
      • Physical well-being:2.5( the NARRATOR feels good sbout the foreign men's humor)
    4. Distress. S The NARRATOR is displeased that she forgot her sisters Birthday.
      • Importance Of Goals:0.3 (The NARRATOR is extremely unhappy she forgot her sisters birthday)
      • Effort:1 (the NARRATOR would of liked to remember but did not invest in outside resources to do so)
      • Physical well-being:0.5 (the NARRATOR is uncomfortable forgetting her sisters birthday)
    5. Hope. S The NARRATOR hopes to have a great learning experience at summer camp.
      • Temporal Proximity:1 (Present)
      • Certainty:0.8 (almost certain but anything could happen)
      • Goal Realization:-8 (it is crucial the NARRATOR has a good relationship with the children to have a good learning experience)
      • Goal Blockage:-8 (the NARRATOR did not achieve her initial goal)
    6. Disappointment. S The NARRATOR expected the water rapids to be more exciting.
      • Certainty:0 (the NARRATOR is not certain the rapids are exciting)
      • Emotional interrelatedness of agents: 2 (the NARRATOR does respond but is not completely affected)
    7. Hate. S The NARRATOR dislikes the way management treats her like a child.
      • Depression:2.5 (the NARRATOR expresses various signs of sadness as she does like the way management treats her)
      • Animosity:3 (the NARRATOR felt great animosity toward management)
      • Blameworthiness:-10 (the NARRATOR definetely blames management for her negative camp experience)
    8. Remorse. S The NARRATOR is ashamed that she chose such a horrible excuse for employment.
      • Blameworthiness:-6 (the NARRATOR blames herself to some extent for her negative camp experience)
    9. Fears Confirmed. S The NARRATOR is not surprised with managements irrational action with Oliver.
      • Surprisingness:0 (the NARRATOR is not surprised with managements behavior)
      • Animosity:3 (the NARRATOR is disturbed with managements decision)
      • Liability:1 (the NARRATOR believes management is liable for Olivers absence)
    10. Distress. S The NARRATOR is dipleased that Oliver decided to leave camp.
      • Depression:2.5 (the NARRATOR feels displeased with Olivers absence)
      • Friendship:0 (the NARRATOR is biased because she is good friends with Oliver)
      • Emotional interrelatedness of agents:3 (the NARRATOR is good friends with Oliver and hates to see him go)
    11. Sorry-For. S The NARRATOR does not like to see Oliver go under such extreme circumnstances.
      • Emotional interrelatedness of agents:3(the NARRATOR is good friends with Oliver and hates to see him go)
      • Importance to agent of having standard upheld:10 (the NARRATOR does not feel Oliver should have left under such circumstances)
    12. Joy. S The NARRATOR is pleased she was able to make alot of new friend.
      • Physical well being:3 (the NARRATOR is overjoyed because she makes new friends)
      • Ecstasy:3 (the NARRATOR meets new friends and a feeling fo well-being)
    13. Hope. S The NARRATOR hopes that Oliver will write to let her know he is OK.
      • Temporal Proxiity:0.8 (in near future)
      • Certainty:0.8 (almost certain but anything could happen)
      • Importance to agent of not having goal blocked:8 (the NARRATOR would realy like for Oliver to keep in touch)
    14. Joy. S The NARRATOR is pleased to receive a letter from Oliver.
      • Physical well-being:3 (the NARRATOR feels overjoyed to hear from Oliver)
      • Ecstacy: 3 (the NARRATOR is a state of euphoria when she receives a letter from Oliver)
    15. Distress. S The NARRATOR is not enjoying her summer and can not wait till it is over.
      • Physical well-being:0.1 (the NARRATOR is not comfortable with her surroundings and would like to return home)
      • Emotional interrelatedness:3 (the NARRATOR very much would like to return home)
    16. Reproach. S The NARRATOR does not approve with Craigs decision to lock himself in the van.
      • Blaimworthiness:-8 (the NARRATOR feels there is no justification for such an act)
      • Importance to agent of having standard upheld:10 (the NARRATOR does not feel Craigs actions are rational or desirable in the leaste bit)
      • Emotional Interrelatedness:0 (the NARRATOR does not care for Craig however perceives his actions as irrational)
    17. Anger. S The NARRATOR is distressed because of the complete lack of organization she experienced on her overnight.
      • Emotional interrelatedness:2 (the NARRATOR does not blame anyone specifically but is still upset with her overnight)
      • Blaimworthiness:-9 (the NARRATOR feels there is no justification for the unorganized overnight trip.
    18. Relief. S The NARRATOR is relieved because her return home was less complicated than she thought it would be.
      • Temporal Proximity:0.8 (the NARRATOR surprised with the easy transition from camp to home)
      • Physical well being:3 (the NARRATOR is in good spirits as her return home is pleasant)
      • Invincibility:2.3 (the NARRATOR has an overall feeling of hope after she returns home)
    19. Joy. S The NARRATOR is pleased to keep in touch with the friends she made at summer camp.

      • Physical well-being:3 (the NARRATOR is overwhelmed with physical joy because she keeps in touch with her friends)
      • Ecstacy:3 (the NARRATOR has ageneral feeling of well being as she keeps in touch with her friends)
  • Relationships
    1. There are established relationships between the agents in the story. DANIELLE does have a relationship with all agents in the story. DANIELLE likes NEW FRIENDS, FOREIGN MEN, and OLIVER. DANIELLE dislikes MANAGEMENT, various CAMPERS, and CRAIG.
    2. OLIVER does not have any relationship with MANAGEMENT, CAMPERS, CRAIG, or NEW FRIENDS. OLIVER does have a personal relationship with DANIELLE.
    3. There is no personal relationship between NEW FRIENDS and CAMPERS.
    4. There are no personal relationships betweeen CRAIG and OLIVER, CAMPERS, NEW FRIENDS, and MANAGEMENT.
    5. There is a personal relationship between FOREIGN MEN and NEW FRIENDS. There are no personal relationships between FOREIGN MEN and OLIVER, CAMPERS, CRAIG, and MANAGEMENT.
  • Objects
    1. New York: Wurtsburo,Long Island
    2. Learning Experience
    3. Birthday
    4. Rapids
    5. Letter
    6. "Action Park"
    7. Home (Destination)
    8. Journal Entries
    9. Birthday Card
    10. "Camp America"
    11. Middletown

  • Occurences
    1. DANIELLE arrives at Camp Summit, Wurtsburo New York.
    2. DANIELLE finds humor in foreign men's imiaturity.
    3. DANIELLE meets childen.
    4. DANIELLE concludes summer will be great learning experience.
    5. DANIELLE complains of no rights.
    6. DANIELLE goes white water rafting.
    7. OLIVER quit camp.
    8. DANIELLE makes new friends.
    9. OLIVER writes DANIELLE a letter.
    10. DANIELLE goes on overnight trip.
    11. CRAIG locks himself in the van.
    12. DANIELLE returns home.
    13. DANIELLE keeps in touch with new friends.

  • Events
    1. DANIELLE meets different types of people.
    2. DANIELLE experiences childrens youth and laughter.
    3. DANIELLE meets friends and makes jokes.
    4. DANIELLE forgets birthday and sends late birthday card.
    5. DANIELLE had a not so great learning experience.
    6. DANIELLE discovers rapids are not all that exciting.
    7. DANIELLE had a hard and long two months.
    8. MANAGEMENT threatens to fire OLIVER.
    9. OLIVER did not like camp and opted to leave.
    10. DANIELLE makes new friends.
    11. DANIELLE did not yet here from OLIVER.
    12. OLIVER writes DANIELLE a letter from an inner city camp.
    13. DANIELLE concludes summer was a great dissapointment.
    14. DANIELLE returns home and has no desire to talk.
    15. DANIELLE keeps in touch with all friends but Oliver.

  • Actions
    1. Foreign men were funny.
    2. MANAGEMENT treats employees like children.
    3. OLIVER leaves summer camp.
    4. CRAIG locks himself in the van.
    5. DANIELLE goes on an unorganized overnight trip.

  • Goals
    1. DANIELLE wants to go to camp and meet new friends.
    2. DANIELLE wants to experience the childrens youth and laughter.
    3. DANIELLE wants to make new friends and make them laugh.
    4. DANIELLE wants to remember birthday.
    5. DANIELLE wants to have a great learning experience.
    6. DANIELLE wants to experience exciting water rapids.
    7. DANIELLE wants a fun summer job.
    8. MANAGEMENT would like OLIVER to keep to himself.
    9. OLIVER wanted to enjoy summer camp.
    10. DANIELLE wanted to make new interesting friends.
    11. DANIELLE wanted to keep in touch with Oliver.
    12. DANIELLE wants to receive a letter from OLIVER.
    13. DANIELLE wanted to have a great summer experience.
    14. DANIELLE wanted to return home with great stories from the summer.
    15. DANIELLE wants to keep in touch with friends.

  • Principles
    1. It was nice FOREIGN MEN made NEW FRIENDS laugh.
    2. It is not right for MANAGEMENT to treat EMPLOYEES with disrespect.
    3. OLIVER should not have been mistreated.
    4. CRAIG should not have locked others out of the van.
    5. It is not fun to get lost and confused in an already unfamiliar state.
  • Preferences
    1. NARRATOR:the experience of being in New York is attractive.
    2. NARRATOR:the experience of forgetting the birhtday is unnatractive.
    3. NARRATOR:the experience of receiving a letter from Oliver is attractive.
    4. NARRATOR:the experience of going home is attractive.
    5. NARRATOR: the experience of getting to Action Park is unnatractive.
    6. NARRATOR: the experience of rafting was unnatractive.
    7. NARRATOR:the experience of having a learning experience was unnatractive.
    Story Index