Towering Pines Blog

It’s easy to get caught up in our own world.  Sometimes we overlook things that we see on a daily basis, and we may even take these for granted.  This can be true too for the people around us, especially those who provide services that we rely upon and are crucial to our daily needs.

Each evening during the first four weeks of camp after snack , the CITs (counselors in training) have a CIT hour.  During this time they meet with directors (Jonathan, Will and Alex) to discuss the day’s events, campers’ behaviors, issues going on in cabins, etc.  It’s during this time that they take what they have observed and experienced throughout the day and begin to make connections with their leadership training.  Developing and honing these leadership skills will assist them as future counselors at camp.

After CIT hour one evening, one of the guys brought up what it would be like to experience parts of camp of which the boys aren’t normally a part.  They were thinking about important areas of daily camp life that greatly affect how camp functions. (such as maintenance, general upkeep, the kitchen, etc.) Other fellas chimed in that they would like to see how things work in other areas of camp too. So Jonathan took their idea and asked Drinka if it would be ok for some of the CITs to help out in the kitchen.

The CITs are no strangers to helping out because that’s part of their role every day at camp whether as OD (Officer of the Day) or planning and putting on special events.  Thus began a new extension of the CITs lending a helping hand!  Four CITs assisted with preparing and serving a couple of camp meals, and they shared their thoughts about their adventures in the world of the kitchen!

Will S.:

We are part of a limited number of activities, and there are untapped opportunities to try and to experience.  I thought helping in the kitchen was really fun.  It’s a side of camp that we don’t normally see, especially when we were younger. You just kind of go through the line and say “thank you.”  You don’t really think about or consider what goes into making the food and having the food ready for us. It was fun to have the campers come up and serve their food and think about what you’re doing for them and interacting with them in a different way.

It’s kind of interesting because even the prepared food takes a lot to get ready.  It’s a busy place, and nobody is sitting around.  Everybody is engaged and doing something.  Also, it’s not just cooking the food.  There are lots of other aspects like refilling things, checking the food in the ovens, making sure everyone gets the correct food and portions.  And, of course, then everything has to be cleaned up.  It’s a lot!

Eli W.:

One night after CIT hour we were talking to Jonathan Shirley about camp. Will mentioned it would be cool if we could see what it’s like in the kitchen and to do something different.  We followed up and asked Jonathan to ask Drinka when would be a good time to help.  They told us a Friday or Saturday at supper would work well.  So we missed 6th period activities and came in and started making chicken patties.

I think the kitchen staff are really nice. We helped them do whatever they needed help with.  It’s a lot more exciting than you think.  It was really fun when cabins came up to be served. It was a lot more work than I thought.  You have to think ahead about how much you need.  Everything takes more time to mass produce in large quantities.  It made me realize that being part of the kitchen team is hard work and  very important.  It made me very grateful for our kitchen staff!

Sammy S.:

We went into the kitchen at the end of 5th period and asked if we could help out.  Drinka had us wash our hands really well and put on gloves.  Then we took out large trays and grabbed the paninis of flatbread that get cut into 4 sections.  We put parchment paper on the trays and put 6 paninis on each tray.  After we laid those out, then we put 4 slices of American cheese on each.  That took a long time, and while we did that, the other kitchen team guys got shredded cheese and put that on the top.  Then we brushed the top of each with the butter. Drinka said “Do a Gentle coat but be thorough.”  Doing all of that was very satisfying. 

Drinka had us work at the window instead of serving the food. We helped serve the counselors when they came up, and we refilled things too.  Drinka taught us how to refill the water and bug juice as well as learning how to make bug juice. Also, there’s a huge 5-gallon jar of pickles so we filled all of the bowls for the tables.  One thing for sure is that Drinka is very good at not wasting anything.  Everything gets used until the end, and I think that’s really important.  “Waste not want not.”

Julian H.S.

Overall, I think it was such an awesome experience.  I was actually able to do it twice.  The first time was during pizza night.  It was super cool and fun to put out all the sauce, cheese, etc. on the pizzas. The second time was during grilled cheese night.  It was so crazy just to see how much bread and cheese is used in one night!  It was interesting to learn the process of the kitchen, and it was really great getting to know the kitchen staff as well.  Although Sam and I hoped to serve the grilled cheese that night, it was super fun to run the window.  We helped with restocking water, napkins, bug juice, pickles, etc.  Overall, it was such an eye opening experience, and I’m really hoping I can do it again!

What I love most about this whole experience is that the boys came up with the idea themselves and followed it through to fruition.  They wanted to place themselves in a role to try something new and to understand how the various processes of camp work.  They took the opportunity to delve into what some may consider a “behind the scenes” part of camp and came to realize how incredibly integral it is to the success of camp.  They observed firsthand that the reason we have delicious meals served to us is because there is a kitchen staff who work incredibly hard together as a team to make this happen each and every day!  The awareness they gained will also be something that they take with them as they head back to school in the fall and in future pursuits in their education, work and communities.

Angie Ziller

• Camp Mom at TP
• Leadership Staff at TP/Office Manager
• Marketing TP/Woodland
• Leadership Team TP/Woodland
• Assistant Waterfront Director at Woodland
• Counselor at Woodland
• “Building in our hearts fond memories, Towering Pines for you.”