What I Learned at Yearbook Camp: Day 1

I'll start by answering the question you probably have running through your head...WHAT is yearbook camp?

Well, the easy answer is that it's a camp where yearbook staffs work on the building blocks of their yearbooks for the coming year. It's also a chance for them to hone their skills in photography, design, writing, technology, leadership, and teamwork before they hit the ground running on the first day of school.

As some of you may know, I'm a bit of a yearbook "nerd" and this is actually my 8th summer working at this camp/workshop at Pepperdine University in Malibu. I've been an RA in the past and my role the past couple years, this included, has been the official photographer and tech assistant (which means helping with the rental computer check-out/check-in and software installation on student and adviser computers). Obviously, I love it because I keep coming back!

Each night, I'll share what I learned at camp this year (yearbook related or not) and include one of my favorite photos of the day.

So, here's Monday:

1) Traffic is NEVER good on the 405 (not something new I learned...just something I was reminded of) so make sure you allow yourself about double the amount of time you need to get where you're going if you have to travel a significant distance

2) Construction will make you skinny! If you've never been to Pepperdine, it's built on a hill, so you're constantly walking up and down hills to get where you need to go. They are just finishing up a big construction project right in the middle of the central campus area, which requires taking a detour that greatly increases walking distances (and altitude changes). Even if I pig out all week, I wouldn't be surprised if I lose some weight and tone my legs. In fact, I got up a few minutes ago after sitting for a while and my legs were so stiff!

3) You can never know everything there is know about yearbooks. I learn new things and see creative new ideas and ways of doing things every year I'm at camp and since I'm a yearbook "nerd," it's so exciting to me!

4) PC computers can be very difficult. As I mentioned earlier, I'm working partly as a tech assistant where we install software onto personal computers the campers and advisers bring. Most of them have PC's. It takes at least twice as long to install the software as it does on a Mac and almost half of the PCs wouldn't work for some reason or another! I'm not saying that Macs are better (though if you know me, you know my position on this), just that in this atmosphere and my experience, Macs have been much easier to work with!

5) Cafeteria food is nothing like Mom's home cooking - or even my own home cooking! While I very appreciative of the fact that this cafeteria serves so many campers and camp staffers throughout the summer, I don't understand how warmed up turkey sandwich meat qualifies as dinner. Lunch was actually pretty good though - a pesto pasta. Here's to a better dinner tomorrow!

And finally, as promised, my favorite photo of the day:

In Smothers Theater during the Opening Session