It’s now only 13 days till I return to Mo, and I have no idea how to explain the summer that I have just encountered aside from saying, that it was an adventure. I know I failed miserably at recounting my adventures through my blog, but it just wasn’t possible. There were days where I was miserable, days where I was exhausted, days where I was indifferent, and days where I was ecstatic, yet through it all it was always clear to me that my passion definitely lies in being a riding instructor. The entire atmosphere at IRC is different than the summer camp life I was previously used to and at times that got the best of me. I missed the traditional cookouts, gatherings and such that went along with being a member of the Cedars staff. The way in which we communicated with the campers was much different than the mannerisms that were expected from the staff of my previous job and it was not something that I was used to, then again the type of children that we encounter here in NY was of a much different nature as well. IRC however offered a whole new variety of encounters. The surrounding land that we often see on trail rides down the roads, and on our days off is breathtaking and the horses here are fantastic. To be able to teach children all summer who for the most part were thrilled to be riding three hours a day on horses that were more than capable of jumping fences of a respectable size, was wonderful. Although the staff here was of a much different mind than I would have expected I can definitely say that I have come away from this summer with at least one great friend that I am so grateful to have met. Her exuberance for life and her love of musicals and quotes was what initially drew me to her, and as I got to know her, I realized that this was a person I could always see myself being friends with. Although I am still uncertain of my future, I am considering working with Kim in Florida with some of the IRC horses for the winter and possibly even returning for a second summer at IRC. The things that I learned at Cedars have been invaluable to me, and I will always love the place that was my home for so long, but I am grateful that I was able to experience another side of the equine summer camp world. I have seen two very different methods of management and I have learned a lot from both styles. I have learned the importance of having proper rules, the need for freedom, the importance of respect, and so much more. I am not ready to return to WWU for my final semester, yet at the same time I can’t wait to return and get it over with. I am ready to graduate and step out into the world, and start another adventure. This summer has taught me to look before I leap, but also that not all things that appear to be rough on the surface, are unwelcoming on the inside. My time spent in NY this summer has been full of invaluable lessons that I hope I can pass on as well as put into practice as I move forward into my final semester of college, and into whatever adventures await me beyond the world of academia. When I started looking into working elsewhere for the summer the quote that stuck out to me was, “Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.”, This quote could not have been more correct. Thankful for a simple summer full of many new lessons.
