Hi Guys, Well I've been at the summer camp for 7 weeks now. Days a long, hot and a lot of fun. It is pretty complicated to explain how the camp runs but i'll give it a go.
The camp is split up into 2 camps of 4 weeks. There is about 330 campers at each camp and around 100 staff. There are cabins of between 13-16 kids ranging from 8 yr olds to 15 yr olds. The first main role of the staff is to live with a cabin and be there counsellor for activities, which basically means keep them in reasonable control and keep them happy.
The first session camp (4 weeks), which is now over I was with 16 14yr old boys. I was with 2 co-counsellors (1xAmerican and 1xIndian) although the Indian left after 2 weeks leaving two counsellors to control 16 kids, which was a challenge at times. All in all though the first session camp was a lot of fun and I had a great time with my cabin.
For the second camp session, which is currently underway I am in the oldest cabin group with 13 15yr old boys. I have 2 co-counsellors both americans and both former campers. It has been a bit easier this session as I know how everything works and I have less kids to occupy with more support, which is nice.
There is only 2 weeks left of this session before the kids leave, which will be amazing but also I am not surprised if I don't miss the campers. All the boat drivers have signed on for another week, which is another camp but is a lot less hectic as we only run activities between 10am-5pm and then we have free time and don't have to be with kids as the camp has other counsellors that come in. So that week will be great as we finish at 5pm and have 3.5 hrs till sunset to use the speedboats.
I am in good spirits but missing home and looking forward to seeing people in a couple of months. Hope all is well and thinking of you all. Lot's of love, Charlie
The camp is split up into 2 camps of 4 weeks. There is about 330 campers at each camp and around 100 staff. There are cabins of between 13-16 kids ranging from 8 yr olds to 15 yr olds. The first main role of the staff is to live with a cabin and be there counsellor for activities, which basically means keep them in reasonable control and keep them happy.
The first session camp (4 weeks), which is now over I was with 16 14yr old boys. I was with 2 co-counsellors (1xAmerican and 1xIndian) although the Indian left after 2 weeks leaving two counsellors to control 16 kids, which was a challenge at times. All in all though the first session camp was a lot of fun and I had a great time with my cabin.
 |
| My Cabin from first session. We went out on the lake for a "sneak out" during lunch. |
During the day there are heaps of hobbies that the kids can participate in. The other part of a staff's job is to have a hobby to run during the day. I am one of 6 boat drivers that teach waterskiing and wakeboarding to the kids. They have a huge waterfront program as all kids are guaranteed waterskiing. There are 3 boat drivers from Australia, 1 from New Zealand and 2 locals. We've got along really well and will probably do some travelling together after camp.
 |
| My office. |
 |
| Setting up the boats in the morning. |
 |
| Hanging out with one of my boat driver mates, Dave from New Zealand |
It's hard to explain exactly how full on and intense the day is but I'll try show you below with a typical day. On a typical day I am driving a speed boat for about 6 hours.
8:40am - wake up cabin and take them to flagpole and then breakfast.
9:30am - head down to first cabin activity. This is where we take out individual cabins for a water ski.
10:45am - Hobby 1 starts. Usually I'll have about 5-6 kids on my boat for 1hr 15mins.
12:00am - Lunch. Eat with kids and make sure they are behaving.
1:00pm - Rest hour. Sometimes you have to be with kids in cabin but mainly take boat out with staff and waterski
2:00pm - Hobby 2 starts
3:30pm - Hobby 3 starts
5:00pm - Cabin Activity 2 starts.
5:45pm - Clean up water front and refill boats for next day.
6:30pm - take kids to flagpole and then to dinner.
7:15pm - Kids have free time and boat drivers usually go out on the lake and waterski.
8:15pm - evening program starts, which usually involves talent shows and games, which we run.
10:00pm - Have cabin "sneak outs" where the counsellors organise activities for the cabin to do together.
10:30pm - Free time for staff except 1 staff member who has to stay with the cabin and get them ready for bed.
1:00am - Curfew for staff
Long days and you basically have to entertain the kids all day, which is crazy but good fun at the same time. I am getting good practice on the wakeboard and waterskis, which is very addictive.
 |
| Practicing jumps on the wakeboard. |
 |
| Making a pyramid with some of the boat drivers on my 4th day skiing |
 |
| A great way to finish most days with a quick ski. |
There is only 2 weeks left of this session before the kids leave, which will be amazing but also I am not surprised if I don't miss the campers. All the boat drivers have signed on for another week, which is another camp but is a lot less hectic as we only run activities between 10am-5pm and then we have free time and don't have to be with kids as the camp has other counsellors that come in. So that week will be great as we finish at 5pm and have 3.5 hrs till sunset to use the speedboats.
I am in good spirits but missing home and looking forward to seeing people in a couple of months. Hope all is well and thinking of you all. Lot's of love, Charlie
