For the rest of the summer, I've volunteered to run Birch Rock Camp's library on Fridays and Saturdays*. The library serves the campers (young men from ages 7 - 15) and the counselors as well.
I'm in love with this place. Josh came here as a camper and then worked here as a counselor, and the first time I walked on campus, I immediately knew exactly why he loved it then and why he still loves it now. We've been visiting every summer for years.
BRC is warm, inviting, dynamic**, friendly, enormously caring, and just... special.
When I'm not recommending books to campers and counselors, I'll be reorganizing and straightening and cataloging their collection — at the very least, I want to get everything listed in LibraryThing so we know what we're working with and where to go forward.
I have a long way to go.
They've got a decent number of books, and people donate more from time to time — I brought ten in today (I'm trying to space them out over the course of the summer), including the new Alex Rider*** — but they don't have a ton of newer stuff. (Newer meaning: Minus Harry Potter, stuff from the last ten years. I haven't, for instance, run into any Wimpy Kid or Griff Carver or Bruce Hale or Jonathan Stroud.)
If you're like me, you regularly find yourself tripping over never-ending piles of books:
If you have any that fit the age range, do feel free to send them along. (C/O me, naturally.)
I will guarantee them a long life in a happy home.
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*Bonus! On those same days, Josh will be teaching wood shop, working with the campers on various projects.
**For instance, at this moment, two counselors are staging a sort-of sudden death cage match on the float out on the lake. To the dulcet tones of Final Countdown. While the entire campful of boys cheers them on. Yes, it's going to be an excellent summer.
**Which almost made a camper hyperventilate.
That is the most gorgeous camp library ever.
(Not that I have much to judge by -- there was the bibliotek at Russian camp, and that's about it. Still, I stand by the superlative.)
Posted by: Sarah Rettger | 01 July 2011 at 03:23 PM
I'm going to have to agree with Sarah, WOW, what a great library. Lucky kids (and I'll see if I have any extras kicking around that the guys might like).
Posted by: cc | 01 July 2011 at 04:30 PM
AWESOME!!!
I am so jealous.
Posted by: Bookreviewsandenglishnews.blogspot.com | 01 July 2011 at 05:41 PM
I think it's fab to have a camp with tutoring/ESL stuff and a library too. We had music camp and math camp, but I'm still jealous over the library. THAT is an awesome idea.
Posted by: tanita | 01 July 2011 at 06:35 PM
Looks great. I'll look around and see if I have any books to send you before the summer is out!
Posted by: Jim | 01 July 2011 at 09:16 PM
Even though I am entirely aware that I hated camp, this is making me really really want to go to camp. (also I am not a 7-15-y-o male. details.)
Posted by: Sarah | 02 July 2011 at 08:47 PM
Did you see the Mexican fiesta?? Twenty-four hours later, my face still hurts from laughing so hard. I adore that place.
Posted by: Leila | 02 July 2011 at 08:52 PM
A camp for young boys? Does the library have the Percy Jacksons? If not, I'll be happy to donate. (You have to let them entertain the notion that they're demigods.)
Posted by: Ms Lily | 02 July 2011 at 11:25 PM
That sounds amazing. What a cool place.
Posted by: Madigan | 03 July 2011 at 05:50 AM
Ms. Lily, I feel like they have a battered copy of Sea of Monsters, but they certainly don't have the whole set. (Or the newer one, or the Red Pyramid.) Anything that you choose to send would be greatly appreciated! Thanks so much for the thought!
Posted by: Leila | 03 July 2011 at 07:13 AM
That's so cool!
I am currently glomming any and all used books I come across for (shameless pimpage alert) the Polaris Charity Auction, running July 15-17 as part of the Polaris convention in beautiful Markham, ON (end shameless pimpage) but if we have any left over afterward that would be suitable, I will definitely send 'em along! I like it when books end up in good homes and this sounds like an excellent one.
Posted by: Electric Landlady | 03 July 2011 at 09:53 PM
this sounds so great. i'll happily send some books their way! i'm assuming you'll take arcs too, yes?
Posted by: Lisa | 03 July 2011 at 11:49 PM
What a great excuse to sort through my books! I will send a box your way. I run a summer camp program for sewing & fiber art and I know how welcome donations are and how thrilled the kids are to have new cool stuff.
Posted by: becka | 05 July 2011 at 06:13 PM