Halfway through the summer

So the summer has just ticked over the halfway mark and I have had an absolute blast. It is kind of sad to think that I only have a month left but I am also pretty excited for the month ahead. The relationships that I have made with all the other staff here, have meant that everyone wants to make each week the best week ever. New ideas and games are being played and it is really exciting finding out what is going to happen.

Our camp had a visit from CCUSA last week. One of their staff members from Australia and one from England came to check on all the CCUSA staff and see how everything was going. I had no problems but it was nice to be able to share my thoughts so far, and also it was nice to know that they actually are there to help you, if you do have any problems. There were some staff who had some questions about travelling after camp and claiming back some medical expenses so they got all their questions answered.

The big event of the last week was the mini olympics that were held. They were held over two nights with the younger campers on Wednesday night and the older campers the following evening. The event involved all the campers being split into countries (Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, England and USA) and then going through a circuit of events gaining points for their country. I was the team leader of Australia and it involved me exciting all my campers to sing lots of aussie songs; let me tell you there was alot of Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi! The great result of the night was that Australia was victorious! It was a really fun event but it definately took alot out of me and I am looking forward to a bit of rest and relaxation on my day off this weekend.

Got to run, got a camper's parent that needs to be called.

Days Off and Time On

After a pretty hectic week of camp it was nice to hear that a group of us had organised a rafting trip for our day off. After the campers checked out, it was time to get in the car and head about 30 minutes away from camp.

There was a group of 18 of us on 3 rafts that rafted down the Delaware River. It wasn't your typical white water rafting but it was such a beautiful day; the sun was shining, the water was nice and calm, and it was a great way to relax and enjoy our time off. The day ended with a nice dinner and some beverages. I can safely say it was one of my most memorable days. The river and hills are so beautiful here and it was nice to actually be in the midst of it all.

So week 3 saw me with the older boys. It was a bit of a change but a nice one to be really able to relate to them and really get involved in all their games. There were alot of fun times, I actually learnt alot about American culture. It also meant that I got a chance to climb the rock wall and go down the zip line; something I didn't really see myself doing at the start of the summer. I have attached a photo so you get a glimpse of what I was up against.

Although the week didn't have all the cheering and chanting that you get with the younger campers, it was one of my favourite weeks as I felt a pretty strong bond with all the boys.

Feasts and Festivities

First week over and it was time for a well earned break!!

My co workers & I decided to check out the local town for our day off so we all went to the mall to watch a movie. One of the senior staff had organised a table at a local restaurant so we could all have dinner together, this turned out to be a great idea as we all got to know each other better and hear all the cool stories people had from all over the globe.

I never would have thought how close I am to these people that I only met a couple of weeks ago, I suppose that is what you get when you live in a small bubble that is known as camp.

It was down to week 2 and what a fun week it was. It was 4th of July week where all the activities were centred around red, white and blue and celebrating America's proud history. The highlight of the week was on the 4th of July where the kitchen staff excelled themselves with an a massive feast for the camp, which included ribs, chicken, burgers, hot dogs, and an assortment of salads and desserts. It was actually a struggle to get everyone ready for the evening session after the feast as most people were stuffed from eating too much. The day ended with fireworks right over our lake It was the closest I had ever seen fireworks and it really was amazing to watch.

Most of the week went along without any hitches. My campers were for the most part great kids. The only real situation I had was when one of my campers got sick and I was kept up for most of the night making sure he was alright, all ended well and he was really thankful when it was time to leave about helping him out. It made me realise what a difference I have on the campers that by helping him for the week how he would always remember me in a positive light.

Can't believe 2 weeks have gone already, the summer is passing by too quickly.

Sun, lake, dances and dress ups

When I signed up for working at a summer camp, they prepare you as best they can, they tell you where you are going and what type of camp you are going on, but the best preparation you get is when the kids arrive.

It's the end of the first week of camp and week one has been filled with so many fun and amazing things.

Our theme for the week was "Sports Camp at the Grammy's" so if someone had of told me before I arrived here that I would be in full KISS (Gene Simmonds) make-up and dancing up a storm at camp I would have said who are you kidding but what a night it was.

The first week at camp saw me jet skiing with campers, playing soccer in the fields, epic games of dodgeball and an amazing Wednesday night dance, where all the staff dressed up with the Grammy's theme.

The weather this week was something like I had never seen before, it was really really hot for most of the days and then in the afternoons there would be big thunder and lightning storm, one storm was even close enough to see the lightning hit the lake, but once all the kids were calmed down and the rain had stopped it was back out in the fields where fun and games were once again played.

If the rest of the summer is going to be as good as the first week, it is going to be quite amazing.

Week 2 next week and it is 4th July and I hear there are big celebrations in store.

Keep you posted.