Youth News: What I Did This Summer by JoAnn Anderson

JOANN ANDERSON, Georgia Bulletin Youth Board

Published: September 23, 2004

This past summer I had the pleasure of working for a second summer as a counselor at a Boy Scout Camp, Camp Rainey Mountain in Clayton.

It’s an unusual job for a girl in a male-dominated environment; however, I chose to work in a Scouting environment rather than at a more traditional summer job for teens like the Gap or Chick-fil-A.

With my experiences in Venture Scouts and Sea Scouts (two co-ed scouting groups), I was able to fit into the spirited environment. I taught several merit badge classes including camping, cinematography, environmental science and orienteering. These classes help Boy Scouts on the road toward becoming an Eagle Scout, the highest rank in Boy Scouts.

I had an amazing summer and I learned things that I probably never would have learned if I had not worked there, such as how to build a fire “aiming towards the heavens” or how to speak, act, dance and sing in front of hundreds.

During our free time on weekends, I explored much of the mountainous area around Clayton. I went to Black Rock Mountain and the drive-in movies and did some thrift store shopping. I had an amazing summer, one that I will always carry with me.

JoAnn Anderson

Senior, Central Gwinnett High School

Member of St. Marguerite D’Youville Church,

Lawrenceville