Camp rules.

The Knitternall family tends to do things somewhat more slowly than other folks. When friends were sending children to High Harbor back in 3rd grade, my kids said "no way." They loved the slow pace of nothing-to-do at home, so we didn't push it. My son did his first week-away camp at the Woodruff Boy Scout camp near Blue Ridge in 6th grade. My daughter waited until just this summer, between 7th and 8th grade, to head to the Pine Acres Girl Scout camp at Lake Allatoona.

Boy Scout camp is roughing it in every possible way. Disorganization reigns, boys camp in troops with their own leaders in charge of their schedules and behavior, and the goal is to end the week without changing clothes, showering, brushing teeth, or deoderant. Other than the leaders accompanying and supervising them, the boys are largely incommunicado from family back home. (Picking up your smelly, filthy Scout at the end of a week like that is quite a testament to unconditional love.)

Girl Scout camp bridges roughing-it and comfort quite adeptly. The entire week is highly organized, from large signage directing parents to various check-in stations and the requisite swim test to camp counselors assigned to each group of girls. Parents do not stay with their daughters - this is truly a week away. My daughter has an airconditioned cabin linked by breezeways to a main gathering room and shower facility. (The camp also has platform tent camping sites that are furnished with comfortable bunks and steps away from nice bath houses.)  I'm able to see photos of her activities posted to the website each day.

Am I suggesting that one camp is better than the other? Nope. Because most Boy Scouts really like the Lord of the Flies atmosphere of their anything-goes, down and dirty summer camps. And most Girl Scouts like a sleepover party feel for their week away from home.

The best thing about summer camp? Mom DOESN'T rule for seven magical days!

Tears and fears.

Imagine having the first day of school every single week. That's what every Monday is like at Dunwoody Nature Center. It's the first day of a week-long camp, which means new teachers, new campers, new parents, and the whole "where do I go what do I do is my mom/dad gonna come back" angst.

There's always at least one tiny camper who most definitely does NOT think this is a good idea. This morning it was a little guy, nearly 4, who was not happy one bit about Dad leaving him behind. Scrunched face, big fat tears, and gulping sobs followed Dad out the door. (I think Dad wanted to cry, too, but he took a deep breath and kept going - good for you, Dad!) I sat Little Guy down on a bench and asked him to show me his hand.

"See these five fingers?" Sniffle.

"One, you're going to make something cool. Two, you'll play a game. Three, you'll have a snack. Four, you'll play in the creek and get all wet and messy. Five, Dad will come back!"

Little Guy stared at his hand, then at me.

"See? One, make something. Two, play. Three, snack - did you bring a snack?" Definite head nod this time and quickly drying tears. "Four, play in the creek. Do like to get wet?" Small smile this time. "Five, time to go home."

Little Guy studied his hand a bit, then nodded solemnly.

"It's time for one. Ready to make something?"

Little Guy hopped up and got to work. When I saw him later in the morning, covered in sand and carrying a rock he'd found in the creek, he was all smiles.

I love my job.

The care and feeding of volunteers.

One of my great pleasures is tending to the many volunteers who staff Dunwoody Nature Center's camp programs. They range from brand-new junior counselors barely in their tween years to just-graduated veterans who are volunteering the summer before college just because they like being at the Nature Center. AG and her BFF D are working next week with our smallest campers, the Teenies, who need laps to lounge in and lots of hugs in their first camp experience.

Gotta love 'em.

Last year, I inaugurated "Wonderful Wednesdays," bringing fresh-baked treats to the volunteers and teachers to enjoy as they darted from one activity to the next. Favorites have been the old school peanut butter bars reminiscent of my high school cafeteria outside Goldsboro, North Carolina to fresh, organic blueberry bars full of plump berries and topped with a cheesecake-like icing.

I'm trying a new recipe for them tomorrow: chocolate peanut butter squares. They taste like Reese's and are a breeze to make. If they're a hit, they'll make a return visit later in the summer.

Here's the recipe, submitted by "Nancy" to www.allrecipes.com:

Peanut Butter Bars

• 1 cup butter or margarine, melted
• 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 2 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 cup peanut butter
• 1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 4 tablespoons peanut butter

1. In a medium bowl, mix together the butter or margarine, graham cracker crumbs, confectioners' sugar, and 1 cup peanut butter until well blended. Press evenly into the bottom of an ungreased 9x13 inch pan.
2. In a metal bowl over simmering water, or in the microwave, melt the chocolate chips with the peanut butter, stirring occasionally until smooth. Spread over the prepared crust. Refrigerate for at least one hour before cutting into squares.

Knitting on a prayer

This has been one fretful winter. I've been so busy I feel breathless, but the busy-ness has helped to numb the worries cascading through our daily lives.

I like to pretend I'm in charge of stuff. That if I just plan things right and keep things organized I can prevent the unexpected.

I have a really good imagination. And a high degree of denial.

Tim the Tutor will arrive shortly to help A with his geometry proofs and I'll indulge in an hour of Clapotis. I can't do chores while they're working, so it's as good an excuse as any to knit. While I'm knitting, I'll be praying for a young mom in our midst who's suffered the 1918 pandemic Type H influenza, sepsis, dialysis, damage to organs, and potential loss of limbs. Disbelief is putting it mildly.

God, this is bad. Really bad. This woman, this mother, this wife, this daughter, this sister, this friend needs you. Surround her and her family with your love and grace. Help them. Then help me understand WHY. Amen.