Can you do (and love) both?

Or, is it a one or the other kind of thing?

At the end of the school year, I was so positive about teaching. I really loved my first year, I loved my school, my co-workers, and most of all my students. I could see myself there as long as I continued to be challenged and to be used in such a fulfilling way.

Then, I went to camp and I was reminded of how much I love that, too. I love working with high schoolers outside the realm of their comfort zones, I love facilitating development through challenges and experiences, I love working closely with a camp staff, and I really love the times that good conversation is sparked just from hanging out with campers. I would love to be given the opportunity to truly pour myself into a camp program in a full-time capacity.

Theoretically, you can do both. So many people have said something along the lines of, "the great thing about teaching is that you have the summers off to do camp." Yet, I'm not convinced that I'm supposed to do both. This spring, I couldn't spend any time getting ready for camp because I was spending all my time trying to finish the school year well. This summer, I spent no time improving my lesson plans, reading for professional development, looking for new teaching ideas, etc., because instead I was fully involved in camp.

Talking with my uncle about this a few weeks ago, he seemed to think this wasn't a problem. Maybe I'll teach for 3 or more years, then work at a camp for a time, then move on to something else. Maybe....

For now, I'll involve myself fully in whatever it is that I am doing and trust that God has worked out the rest in his infinite wisdom.