Well, I was warned. And as much as I tried to resist it the last 11 or 12 weeks has abosolutly flowen by! I am now on the last strech of my time in Michigan and at camp. What a great summer it has been. Especially since it was 10 months long and counting! I guess I havn't really given justice to the time at camp via this blog. Perhaps I never will as there are so many experiances that I cant translate into writing. Or perhaps later on I will get a chance to share some stories or experiances as they filter through.
I have to say that right now this certainly was worth doing and I have definately growen through it. I guess the full extent wont be realised untill much later on, but there have been times when I have been pushed like never before.
As the hours wear down, my anticipation grows. I am really excited about this next stage. Over the next two weeks I will get to have some great experiances as I travel around the U.S (or parts of at least) And more importantly get to meet up with some great friends again. Starting with tonight where I will meet up with one of my oldest friends. (as in almost 20 years of knowing each other) So I am really amped about that.
I am still highly nervous about moving to London, and right now it could possibly be one of the scaryest things I've ever done. But if there was ever a time for a 'leap of faith' this is it! And I am sure every thing will work out for the best.
But for now its time to finish up at camp and go and have fun with the kids and crew for 1 last day!!
Friday, August 21, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Switch
Well life as a residential camp councilor came to an and about 3 weeks ago, when I was transferred into day camp. Which is pretty much day care.
The last residential camp feels like such a long time ago, its hard to remember much about it. But I have to admit the greatest compliment I could have got was when campers would ask if they could be transferred into my group. Or when they jump out of the vans and say 'Am I with you?!' I had some pretty good times with the residential campers and I hope I served them well.
I had applied to stay at camp as an intern, which meant I would have been here for a year. While it would have been a great experience. Its not meant to be this time around.
However day camp is great fun, and much more laid back. Instead of 7 or 8 - 11, I now work 8.30- 4.30 or there abouts. Depending on the weeks and what needs to be done. So for the first week it felt like I was on holiday, and some times felt like I should have been doing more. Most days we spend around 2.5 hours at the pool. Another thing that always surprises me is that I can swim topless with out any sunscreen on my back, without fear of getting the worst sunburn of my life. That could not happen back home!!
However it took most of that time to get my travel sorted out for after camp. So now with that sorted out I feel a lot more relaxed. On the 21st of August I will finish work at 3 and pretty much go straight to the airport to take a 6pm flight to New York to hang out with some friends for the weekend. Then on Monday take the train to Niagara falls, arriving at 4.30pm and leaving at 3.30am the next morning to head to Montreal, where I will spend 2 days. On Friday go back to NY on the train to meet up with another friend where we will head down to Philadelphia so I can go on the 'Rocky steps'. (which I am sooo looking forward to!) Then I pretty much have 5 days in NY sight seeing. Then on Friday the 4th I'll go down to Arizona to see a friend from home for the weekend, then on Monday head back to JFK airport at 4 ish, to depart again for London at 9.30. So its going to be a pretty full on trip but a great one no doubt!
While I don't have any set plans for the U.K just yet, I'm sure things will work out for the best. And the good Lord won't leave me hanging.
So as I enter into the last 2 weeks of camp, I find myself reflecting on what I've learnt and the experiences I've had. I'm sure the full effect of my experiences will become apparent as time goes on. But there are more things that I've come to appreciate as I watch the kids. I am reminded of many of my child hood memory's. Most good, not all. But one that I always think of when I'm at the pool. Is when Catherine and I were young, and for some reason Cathrine wanted to stand on my shoulders. Of course the water was too deep for me to stand in so I almost drowned!
I somehow ended up teaching (or trying to teach) some of the kids how to swim. Only from what I know, but it really made me appreciate how many kids don't have the opportunity to learn to swim. And possibly don't have regular access to a pool. Even though I'm not a strong swimmer I can swim to save myself. And for that I am grateful.
I think I have more to say. But for now I cant remember. So roll on the next entry!
The last residential camp feels like such a long time ago, its hard to remember much about it. But I have to admit the greatest compliment I could have got was when campers would ask if they could be transferred into my group. Or when they jump out of the vans and say 'Am I with you?!' I had some pretty good times with the residential campers and I hope I served them well.
I had applied to stay at camp as an intern, which meant I would have been here for a year. While it would have been a great experience. Its not meant to be this time around.
However day camp is great fun, and much more laid back. Instead of 7 or 8 - 11, I now work 8.30- 4.30 or there abouts. Depending on the weeks and what needs to be done. So for the first week it felt like I was on holiday, and some times felt like I should have been doing more. Most days we spend around 2.5 hours at the pool. Another thing that always surprises me is that I can swim topless with out any sunscreen on my back, without fear of getting the worst sunburn of my life. That could not happen back home!!
However it took most of that time to get my travel sorted out for after camp. So now with that sorted out I feel a lot more relaxed. On the 21st of August I will finish work at 3 and pretty much go straight to the airport to take a 6pm flight to New York to hang out with some friends for the weekend. Then on Monday take the train to Niagara falls, arriving at 4.30pm and leaving at 3.30am the next morning to head to Montreal, where I will spend 2 days. On Friday go back to NY on the train to meet up with another friend where we will head down to Philadelphia so I can go on the 'Rocky steps'. (which I am sooo looking forward to!) Then I pretty much have 5 days in NY sight seeing. Then on Friday the 4th I'll go down to Arizona to see a friend from home for the weekend, then on Monday head back to JFK airport at 4 ish, to depart again for London at 9.30. So its going to be a pretty full on trip but a great one no doubt!
While I don't have any set plans for the U.K just yet, I'm sure things will work out for the best. And the good Lord won't leave me hanging.
So as I enter into the last 2 weeks of camp, I find myself reflecting on what I've learnt and the experiences I've had. I'm sure the full effect of my experiences will become apparent as time goes on. But there are more things that I've come to appreciate as I watch the kids. I am reminded of many of my child hood memory's. Most good, not all. But one that I always think of when I'm at the pool. Is when Catherine and I were young, and for some reason Cathrine wanted to stand on my shoulders. Of course the water was too deep for me to stand in so I almost drowned!
I somehow ended up teaching (or trying to teach) some of the kids how to swim. Only from what I know, but it really made me appreciate how many kids don't have the opportunity to learn to swim. And possibly don't have regular access to a pool. Even though I'm not a strong swimmer I can swim to save myself. And for that I am grateful.
I think I have more to say. But for now I cant remember. So roll on the next entry!
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