The Programming Buzz, or, Marshmallows for Everyone!!!!

Phew! It's been a while. A long while.
I'd been beginning to wonder if a blog was a good idea at all, seeing as I felt no inspiration to write.
Cue 2012. Cue my spiffy new intern.

Cue the first program of the season. <fist pump>

That funk that I felt when the museum closed in September never really went away. Until last night, that is: snowshoe programming!!!

For once, it's a picture from where I work.
Took this last year at the Winter Survival Skills Workshop.

I had put off writing the program plan for ages. I really should have had it done before the holidays, but didn't end up writing it until Thursday night. To be fair, I'd done all the research (it was to be a nature-themed hike), and had even written an article about it to submit to the local community papers, so I knew what I was talking about. I just couldn't get myself to write the damn thing. Meh, chalk it up to procrastination.

I was pretty chill before the program, thinking, "Hey, I've done this before, no biggie." I had also had the idea to make homemade marshmallows for the participants after the hike, you know, a little extra free prize like I discussed in a previous post. My awesome intern made them for me; delicious, fluffy little marshmallows. My boss was having a hard time coming to grips with whether marshmallow-making was a good use of our time, but if they're a hit, apparently myself and my sister museums will have to serve them at all winter events. We'll see.

So I wasn't really that nervous leading up to the program, until we got there. Then it hit me that my intern was going to be following me, and did I really fully understand the winter survival strategies of the frog and downy woodpecker? There was even a random journalist/photographer who showed up. (Really, I'd love it if you guys would call. It's just a bit awkward when you come and I'm still setting up.) So I'm chatting with the journalist and thinking at the back of my mind about the tour. People start showing up, and we're ready to leave.

I should let you know that it was freaking cold last night. There was even a frostbite warning in effect, but people showed up nonetheless, which is great. We had a total of 8 people and they followed me dutifully around the site. The biggest hiccup was before the program started when, since it was so cold, we broke three pairs of my snowshoes because the frozen plastic straps just snapped. (Oops!) We got back to the campfire a bit too soon, and the fire wasn't started yet, but I asked if people minded going in the house instead. Since it was so cold we opted for that option and sipped hot chocolate and ate awesome marshmallows while we warmed up.

I pride myself on a very intimate and personal visitor experience, which is frankly what I would want. I want the people to feel like my friends or guests, at least, because that's what they are. Last night was no exception and people actually stayed in the ballroom and we chatted about snowshoeing, the museum and other random things (including the history of marshmallows) for at least half an hour.

Anyway, it was awesome!!! After the program I felt such a buzz that I couldn't help but break out in dance; a sentiment quickly mirrored by my intern and the part-time helper. Talking to people, getting to know them, sharing what I know... that's what I do. And it's so fulfilling that it's surprising that I forget about it when I'm stuck in my basement office at the other museum. Maybe it was all the sugar, but now I can't wait to do it again!

I could eat these for breakfast!