I should start off by explaining that I have never marched. I went to an arts school from 6-12 and we didn't have a sports program, and we definitely didn't have a marching band. When I got to college I had no urge to march for the Marching 110 (The Greatest Band in the Land!), nor did I have the free time required to be a member of this ensemble. I also do not play an instrument that the 110 marches, and didn't feel like learning a new instrument.
So, getting this gig as a staff member at a marching band camp was new, different, and exciting. I didn't know what to expect, since I've never attended band camp as a camper and have never worked one as staff. The drive there was nerve-wracking--first off, I had to leave at 10AM, since I live 250 miles away from the camp. The ride there was long, and I was nervous to see what awaited me at camp. The camp grounds were small, and there were no pictures online. The camps I had attended as a child were incredibly rustic, with showers that never got hot, no air-conditioning, and a lot of mosquitoes. I never slept in a cabin or lodge, always in a platform tent with a cot and a bathroom a few hundred feet away. While this sleeping situation was fine when I was 7 I was really hoping for a bathroom within a few feet of my bed. Don't take me wrong---I like camping and being outdoors. BUT I also enjoy a comfy bed and a warm shower once in a while.
Arriving at the camp I was glad to see I wasn't the first staff member to arrive. The campers weren't there either--they were taking a bus from the school, about an hour and a half away. I switched out of my flip flops and into tennis shoes, got out of my mini-van and walked over to introduce myself to the other staff, who I learned also attended OU and marched in the 110. Within a few minutes we were talking easily, and more staff began to arrive. I felt good knowing that everyone seemed to be friendly, and we sat waiting for the campers to arrive.
The students arrived with an instrument bus, three school buses, and a trailer being pulled by a pick up truck. Talk about intimidating! Watching all of these kids, some only a year younger then myself, get off of the buses and form their cliques I felt like I was back in high school again, only this time I was the lonely kid who didn't have friends. The band director called us over, introduced himself, and we got our first task: oversee move in and make sure the kids didn't fight over beds. This seemed easy enough. We entered the dorm, a large building with 2 rooms for the boys and 2 rooms for the girls, plus a bathroom with showers in each room. There was also a large lobby where the students were expected to keep their instruments, and a kitchen for the staff's use. The dorm had air conditioning and seemed pretty clean, so I was a happy camper. I picked to stay in the back dorm with one other staff member and 20 some girls.
Move in was uneventful. The older girls took care of the younger ones, and we really didn't have any problems. Next on the agenda was dinner, which was ok, and then marching rehearsal. This was the first of several marching rehearsals, and after a few minutes I caught on and was able to help, fix mistakes, and read drill charts. I was grateful that I had watched the 110 perform a few dozen times. It was still day 1, and I was having fun.
That night we had sectionals. It was my first time meeting the 4 girls I would be mentoring for the next week. We had a good time. We got to know each other a little bit, worked out a few sections of music, and I learned what they needed help with. It was my first chance since entering college to work with a group of students for more then an hour or two, and I was glad to give it a whirl. Throughout the course of the week we worked hard, learned how to tune, learned new fingerings, and worked up the music for three half-time shows. By Friday I was very proud of the work my girls had accomplished.
The rest of the week went by in no time. Highlights included our sectional time, the water balloon fights, and giving my nightly speech to the girls in my dorm (which they later dubbed my flight attendant speech). It was an amazing learning experience for me and I'm so glad I signed on to do it. The pay was terrible, and I ended up with sun poisoning, but it was a great time that I wouldn't trade for the world.
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