Okay, so let me tell you about this wild weekend I just had. It all started with the Hershey Park Memorial Day Soccer Tournament. Sounds fun, right? Well, it was, but boy, was it a journey to get there and make it happen.
First off, I gotta say, I’m no soccer pro. I mean, I enjoy kicking the ball around, but organizing a whole team and getting them to a tournament? That’s a whole different ball game. But my kid’s team needed a chaperone, and hey, I thought, “Why not? It’ll be a good experience.” Famous last words.
The first hurdle? Getting everyone registered. You wouldn’t believe the paperwork involved! I was drowning in forms, waivers, and who knows what else. It felt like I needed a degree in bureaucracy just to get through it all.
Then came the logistics. Coordinating travel, making sure everyone had a ride, booking accommodations… it was like herding cats, I swear. I spent hours on the phone, sending emails, and making spreadsheets. My brain was fried before we even left for Hershey.
Game Day
Finally, the big weekend arrived. We packed up the car with enough snacks and drinks to feed a small army, and off we went. The atmosphere at the tournament was electric. So many teams, so much energy, it was actually pretty cool to be a part of it.
- Our first game was a nail-biter. We were down by one point for most of the game, but then, in the last few minutes, our star striker managed to score two goals! We won! The kids went wild, the parents went wild, and I, well, I just stood there in shock, haha.
- The rest of the tournament was a blur of games, cheering, and trying to keep everyone hydrated and fed. I learned that packing extra socks is a MUST. And that sunscreen is your best friend, even on a cloudy day.
We didn’t win the whole thing, but we did pretty well. More importantly, the kids had a blast. They played their hearts out, made some new friends, and created memories that will last a lifetime. I might’ve complained a lot at first, I mean, I was really tired because I did a lot of work before and during this tournament. But seeing their happy faces made it all worthwhile.
So, would I do it again? Maybe. It was definitely an experience. I learned a lot about organizing events, dealing with kids (and their parents), and the importance of a good cooler. Plus, I got to spend some quality time with my own kid, even if it was mostly spent running around like a headless chicken. It was a memorable Memorial Day weekend, that’s for sure.
