Booster, booster be a booster. Don't be grouchy like a rooster.

Once The Kid reads the title of this post, like me he will be transported back to Memorial VBS. The better half has a great post about a funny VBS memory on her blog - which also is another valuable insight into her personality, check out the link to the right - and that got me thinking about my own VBS memories.

There was a hierarchal order to things at our VBS, at least how I saw it. About midway through elementary school when you are still trying to be the person to bring the most visitors and win a sticker or extra cookie or something, you realize there are bigger kids here and they are having a bit more fun. I guess in a way without realizing it this was my first exposure to a corporate hierarchy.

First thing you could do once you were in jr high and too old and too cool to "enjoy" VBS is to be a tribe leader. Well not actually a leader, more like a helper. This meant you were paired with some adult who would squash all your dreams of making the little first graders in your tribe be your slaves for the week. Very much a buzzkill. Also, you actually found out you have to track these little heathens around for 2 or 3 hours. What kind of reward is this? Plus you had to wear a bathrobe all around church.

So then you can move up to playing a part in one of the theme rooms. Allows a little more freedom, but still there is that adult who wants to hold a little to fast to the stated curriculum and won't allow for your freedom of interpretation of just what it would have smelled like in the belly of a whale. Similar to this was working in the kitchen. Plus - access to cookies. Minus - you never have a chance to eat them or get incredulous looks when you do.

The ultimate job, the one that once you have it you know you were at the top of the heap...puppeteer. You almost certainly had to be in high school to be responsible enough to handle the puppeteer duties. And freshmen and sophs usually got the rattier puppets or the ones that had to be the "good" kids in the skit. But by senior year you had your pick. You could be the "bad" puppet - allows for much more artistic license or if you have enough clout you could be the most coveted puppet of all - the furry blue monster with the detached hand. The two handed puppet! Good times!

I went off on a whole rant to the better half about puppets and the greatness therein, but I will save the dear readers of this blog that pain.