Post Camp!

Well.....after a long hard summer there is nothing better than a little relaxation and sun to get you back into the swing of things!

This year I decided, rather than travelling all over the states I'd stay more local and do a two week trip all over New York visiting friends from camp in various locations! I am very lucky to have great friends at camp who welcomed us into their homes and showed us the exciting things in their areas! We went to New York City, Ithaca, New Rochelle and the Hampton's! They were all very different and allowed us to sight see and lay on the beach! New York is such an incredible state that has so much to offer and this trip allowed me to really go further than New York City!

This summer seems to have gone by so fast! I have met amazing people, made some lifelong friends and learnt things about myself that I never knew I could do!

Going to camp really opens up new oppurtunities to you which you would never have done at home or on a regular holiday! It looks fantastic on your CV and opens your mind ot the possibilities that are out there! What have you got to loose.................

If you have any questions about working at camp as either a counsellor or support staff go to ccusa.com for more information......or alternatively call us 02920763779....

See you all next summer!

Mel x

The End................

Hello!

It's been a while since I last wrote on here - it has been crazy! The last few days allowed me no time to get on a computer and write you a blog, so ill do it now!

After Color War, camp becomes more relaxed and we start cleaning so we can pack! Packing can be quite tedious at times, but if you are organised, play music and have a laugh with the girls it can be made so much more interesting! We don't do any activities during this time, unless it's hot and the girls ask to go in the lake or pool! This year, surprisingly the camp got packed up pretty easily, which then allowed for the counsellors to pack themselves! Packing is always a sad time at camp! The kids are sad to be leaving and the bunk looks so bare and empty!

That night we had an event which is anticipated for the whole summer, Cabaret! The girls have their outfits picked out for them before the summer even begins! It's a really fun night full of music, food and fun activities! The girls (and boys) enjoy dressing up and having a really fun night with everyone!

The following day we finish off packing if we haven't done already then we just relax and hang out with our bunks as it is the last full day! The evening activity starts at with a Farewell Banquet! We stay there for a while as we hand out prizes, medals for special events etc...we also say thank you to all our staff for a wonderful summer! We then head down to the lake for candle lighting....the older girls sing a song to the camp, we put candles in the lake and then on the lake floats '2009' on a boat in flames! It's pretty amazing! Following this, we all head up to the amphitheater to watch the 2009 slide show! I made it in there a few times so I was happy! haa!

The next morning we wake up early to prepare for the departure of the campers! It's a very sad morning! Once the campers have said farewell on the buses we return to the bunks, make sure they are all clean then we get ready to leave ourselves!

When the campers have left camp feels very strange, but you feel so good about what you have achieved - having worked in a foreign country with people you don't know and you have so many challeneges to face! It's something to be very proud of!

xxx

Hello from sunny Pennsylvania!

The weather is really great at the moment and it’s making Color War so much easier!!

Finally, after lunch, what we have all been waiting for….the break sent us up to the Softball diamond where we lined up, like a fire drill then 3 bangs from the canon went off and papers were thrown in the air revealing what teams everyone was on! The campers then also figured out what counselors and campers were on each time! The special honor really is a privilege and everyone appreciates what they are given! The PC’s (upper seniors) have been waiting a long time to get to this point and it’s a very emotional time for them all!

BLUE BRITAIN and GREY HOGWARTS!!!

Gaining points for your team and not getting deducted points for things like cleanliness, decorum and sportsmanship is imperative! With this in mind everyone works very hard! During Color War we have to be very clean and very quiet at meals! The kids enjoy this time and it’s important the counselors do the same to lead by example!

On the last night of Color war we have sing! Our wonderful piano player has been working very hard to write and prepare these songs for us! The event is a huge tradition at camp and all involved work so hard to put it together and make it sound good! It’s actually a spine tingling moment when you hear all those voices come together!

Color War has many activities, indoor games, relays, basketball, soccer, volleyball, swim meets….the list goes on! The whole camp gets dressed in Blue and Grey…they even paint their bodies! It’s crazy but couesllors and campers get involved to cheer their team mates on! I have left many a game with no voice, but that’s the best part!

During Color War, the Mess Hall has a lot going on! Counselors and campers that are on the head table take it in turns to give speeches, lead songs and we give out scores for the day! The camp sits on opposite sides of the Mess Hall in their Blue and Grey Teams! We have quiet meals during Color War so if anyone is caught talking points get taken off!

The most anticipated game of Blue and Grey is the PC (upper senior) basketball game! The girls have been waiting their whole camp lives to get to this game! They have been practicing all summer to step up during this game! In addition to the PC’s getting prepared….the Lower Seniors have been working hard to create a half time dance for the PC’s! The dance went very well! The best part about the Lower Seniors dance is their outfit – they completely paint their bodies from head to toe in Blue and Grey! They looked amazing and put so much effort into it!

Back to the game………..the game was full of energy, spirit and enthusiasm! The girls have never played so hard before! This game means a lot! The crowd was going crazy and in the last stages of the game the intensity was being felt all over! The close game ended with a tight 32-30 victory to Grey! Both teams played so well and we are extremely proud of the effort the girls put in to play, and support each other!

Color War is almost over, but tonight we have our sing! It’s a big deal here and everyone has been working so hard to learn the songs! It’s very emotional too – the Seniors cry, then we all cry because we don’t want to go home! It’s a sight and a half! We also have a lot of Alumni (past campers and counselors) that visit for this very special night! we sing lots of songs and we cry!

There are only 3 sleeps left in camp! As we start to come to a close we now realize how much we have to do! Packing is one of the things that is inline, it’s not the most fun activities, but it is nice to be in the bunk with the kids, hanging out, listening to music! I know I’ve said it before but these last few days are vital to their final memories at camp, so having fun with them is advised!

Gotta run…lunch beckons xxx

h


Here are some pictures from 2007 when I was Chief of Grey Rock and Roll!

1,2,3,4 WE WANT COLOR WAR!!

Hellooo................

Shortly we will be starting our annual Color War! It's a very exciting time at camp which sees the camp divide in two teams....Blue and Grey! Campers and counsellors are divided equally in this spectacular event which sees the camp compete in a huge variety of sports! Along with the sports the colours have 'themes' such as Blue Animation and Grey Rock and Roll! (2007)! All of this is a secret and the select counsellors that are involved in the preparation of the war is a surprise! It is a very special time as it is so traditional and it means alot to everyone!

Speciailist counsellors who haven't previously been with their bunks during the days are able to go to activities with their bunks and age group! Color War is definately the most anticipated event of the summer and with that it's one of the most important times to be spirited and just have a great time! We learn new songs for our final sing night which is very special! New counsellors are then able to learn songs, like everyone else and really get involved!

Every year at this time, the anticipation for Color war is really high! An annual tradition is for the CA’s (16 year olds) to do a ‘fake break’ where they tease the camp into thinking that CW is going to start! This year the CA’s went above and beyond to make this year very special! They made their very own promo video! They filmed all over camp and interviewed key staff! They played the video in the mess hall after we had finished our breakfast! At the end of the video there were two people with grey and blue blankets over their heads! The camp went crazy! Then on the screen appeared the words…..COMING SOON! It was a very exciting moment! Following this, before the girls were dismissed music started to play over the loud speakers! The music was eerie and led the girls down to front campus where they cheered some more and the CA’s threw out their fake break papers!

I will keep you updated on the development of Color War….

GO GREY!

Last week.....

One week to go!

With only one week to go it's so strange to think the summer has gone by so fast! I know I have been here before but friends of mine are feeling the same way..we seem to to be spending more quality time with each other and taking more pictures than we have done all summer! I think it just goes to show how close you get to people in an environment like camp - no matter what job you do! It's a great feeling! I have met some amazing people this year! Everyone has worked really hard and this final hurdle may be the most difficult but it the most rewarding part!

With the summer coming to a close (but not yet) talk of after camp travels is all over! Planes, trains and automobiles will be transporting lots of people all over America so they can soak up American culture. There are people going all over the place.....New York, Florida, West Coast and more exotic places like Hawaii and the Caribean! Jealous! A bit of advice would be to shop around and look for really good deals! Don't go for the first thing you find there is so much out there these days and with the credit crunch the companies are all really competitive!

When I came to camp my intention was to meet new people and try new things...so today I went on my first hiking trip! I didn't know I was going, so the flip flops I was wearing didn't really equip me with the support I neeeded! Nonetheless I managed to Hike my way around the more rural and secluded parts of camp! It was so much fun! I went with the hiking counselor, Chris from England and eight Junior Girls (aged 10). We saw two dear and found a tiny frog! The campers loe their technology but I think they secretley love getting back to nature and searching for wildlife!

Bedtime.................Mel xxx

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