The Day Before the Kids Arrive

On this 4th of July, I cannot help but consider what my fellow teammates are doing to enjoy their holiday. Some are probably having pool parties, some are barbecuing, and some probably enjoyed an ice-cold beer (if over 21). As my friends enjoy their holiday, I spend this day anxious of what tomorrow will bring.

For the past week, I have attended an orientation preparing for my summer internship. Starting tomorrow, I will officially be a resident†counselor and activities assistant for an intensive resident counseling center for children in New Hampshire. What exactly is the service? (I cannot use the name due to confidentiality issues). This place is not a camp...that was made very clear to me from the day I stepped foot on the setting. Instead, the location is defined as an intensive residential therapeutic setting for emotionally disturbed children. For many of the youth, this is their last stop before the government intervenes with detention. For others, they have been through unimaginable traumatic experiences in their short lives. One thing remains constant throughout the children: they need help, and now.

During the last week, I have not had air conditioning (on the first day in New Hampshire the heat reached a record temperature of 95), my cell phone has been turned off for over a week, and I have no clue what is on TV. I attended meetings and work projects for 14 to 16 hours a day, and spend my nights in a Spartan cabin with 14 other male counselors (though I happily moved into my lake-side permanent residence today). I have been through all of this for one reason: the children who are to arrive tomorrow.

During my time here, I will be working 24 hours a day. I am a counselor for a group of 12 to 14 year old boys, and have six other counselors on my clinical team. I have also been blessed with the position of being a lifeguard. I get to spend a large portion of my afternoon on a beautiful lake with a mountain backdrop. I am staying in shape through not having time to really eat a complete meal and by swimming back and forth to the various islands on the lake. Also, I walk over five miles a day, mostly up hill, around the expansive setting.

Best wishes to everyone at Wabash and at home. I am not the only Little Giant here; Blaken Wamsley '08 is also among the counselors, and is actually assigned to the same clinical team. The saying is true: wherever you go, there is another Wabash Man.

Stay in Shape. Stay Safe. Enjoy Your Summer.

Truly humbled,

Aaron Spolarich