Summer Camp 2014

Camp Leaders, my experience so far…

For the best part of 3 years I pondered over the possibility of attending summer camp. I ‘uhmed’ and I ‘ar’ed’ as the dream of getting more from life simmered with-in. At the age of 20 I felt I had achieved little and had nothing to show for all my ambition. Sometimes I would imagine what it would be like and how proud it would make my family; other times I’d tell myself it was a stupid idea and it was nothing but a pipe-dream. I found myself stuck in a rut with no way out and the only escape I had from what was at best, a mediocre life, was my imagination. My mind would drift into the great beyond as I worked; so often stood behind the ‘Wrong side’ of the bar, pulling pints for big beer bellied, bald men or down in the cold & stale ale smelling cellar, stacking crates & barrels just to escape the fake smile I’d have to produce whenever the aforementioned big beer bellied, bald men would tell one of their shit jokes…for lack of a better word of course, but I do apologize for my bad language!

Summer camp was often the topic of conversation whenever my father and I sat down for dinner…usually an Indian from the local curry house, Jaaayzus! MAN, can they make a curry. ANYWAY! For hours we would indulge in the experiences he had, places he had been and the people he met when he attended summer camp during his younger days. It was nothing but inspiration and encouragement.

During the 3 years of deep pondering, I had: sought out new employment, separated with a girlfriend of 5 years, moved to a new apartment; out staying 4 individual house mates, made many new friends, played lots of football, drank lots of beer, ate many pizzas, watched many films, separated with a girlfriend of 6 months and then, moved out of my apartment…..Now you can BREATH! I had gone full circle; I had all the financial & emotional commitments with all the reasons not to apply for summer camp but for some reason or maybe even no reason at all, I had made my decision. I had made THE decision to pour oil on the shackles around my ankles and slip myself free of everything that was holding me still (figuratively speaking).

First, I tried applying through Camp America as I was only aware of this company and assumed it was the only company to go through. I’d completed only little amounts of their online application each night as I found it to be overwhelming and somewhat confusing. A friend and work colleague who was a frequent camp go’er (unbeknownst to me) suggested applying through another company called Camp Leaders. So I gave it a go. Instantly it was easier, it’s funny how the layout of a website can encourage and entice visitors to stay and explore their pages. Explore, read and eventually apply is what I did. I powered through filling out sections each night. The percentage bar increasing with every section I submitted making me feel a sense of achievement already!

So far so good! The next step in my application was to get my backside to a Camp Leaders job fair in Manchester with a view of being hired on the spot. “He came, He saw, He conquered,” is what Vic said I did….Okay, maybe he didn’t say that but something very similar….No, okay he didn’t say anything of the sort but It went a little like this; I went, I signed in, I talked to some really friendly Camp Leaders staff, I saw a small queue, I queued in the small queue, I contemplated joining the big queue, reconsidered and stayed in the small queue, queued for ten minutes. Then, I met Vic who hired me with-in roughly 30 seconds. Vic & I then sat for just shy of an hour discussing relevant and some not so relevant life topics. Special thanks to the patient bunch that waited behind me; blame Vic! The whole day was fluid, fun, comfortable and straight forward with the added extra of meeting great people…oh and getting hired of course 😀

So, I got a place at a camp called Camp Loyaltown! It didn’t stop there though, a few mandatory stages came next.

Preparation Day in…..Manchester again!! A great way to prepare you for camp with presentations and advice given by Camp Leaders staff who have been to summer camp many times. They knew it all so they explained all the ‘when,’ ‘where,’ ‘how’ and answered the ‘what if’s?’ and ‘buts.’ I also had the opportunity to talk to many fellow camp go’ers, even some who had been placed at the same camp as me; we exchanged Facebook’s and numbers so we could update each other on our progress and the odd count down text “OMFG! Only 6 weeks! I’m excited for camp! See you there!” Again, the whole day was fluid, fun, comfortable, straight forward and informative.

From there I headed straight to London for my USA Embassy interview to get my visa. ‘Try to get my visa,’ is what I should say as it isn’t guaranteed, unfortunately! Don’t let that put you off though, unless you are a threat to national security, I doubt you’ll get rejected 😛

I was fortunate to make this journey with a friend who also got a place at a summer camp through Camp Leaders. We first went to meet Camp Leaders staff at the Limkokwing University to finalize and check all documents. Very handy as I messed up my Visa application and had to re-do it; something I wouldn’t have realized until it was too late! Once we had our documents boxed off we walked to the embassy which was little over 10 minutes away. Once at the embassy we queued for a short while before we had our interview…not much of an interview really. More like a series of simple questions and a kick out the door! It took 30 seconds and as polite as they all were they really didn’t care what you had to say. Bish-bash-bosh! Done, visa applied for!

From that moment, I waited in anticipation for my Visa to arrive in the post as it was the final step in my application. Now that I have received my Visa the anticipation has shifted to the 10th of June…The date I board a New York City bound flight! (SG)

So, I had arrived at Camp Loyaltown, safe and sound. Little over a week it took to sink in that I was actually in the United States attending summer camp. As if in a blink, the 7 hour flight was over; fast paced and each service sufficient from then on, as if everything was being timed or a triathlon being raced. A 5 hour coach journey from JFK to a little town called Hunter in the Catskill Mountains of upstate New York. Though it didn’t feel like 5 hours at all. I had been awake and on the move for near on 20 hours but as if fuelled by ecstasy I was alert, energetic, emotional and receiving a peculiar kind of buzz from the sights I was seeing.

On the coach I was joined by several fellow summer camp goers. A small English lad from Peterborough who goes by the name of Cass, abbreviated from his surname Cassidy “My names James but everyone calls me Cass because my surnames Cassidy,” is what I remember him saying.

I immediately knew Cass was a humble & good person and later discovered he was a funny guy with a great sense of humour. Although I had made up my mind about Cass pretty quick, as I usually do when meeting strangers, little was I to know that Cass & I were to be in the same cabin and would be working together for the entirety of the summer. Cass grew to be one of my closest friends at camp. We laughed together, got annoyed together and at times comforted each other through home sickness and the sad good byes we had to endure when campers left at the end of each session. Harder for Cass than for me as he was a 3rd year returner and had decided to make this his final summer attending camp. Cass, thank you for the great memories from day one to the end of camp.

We were also joined by another small man, Callum Mackinnon; this time from Scotland and also to be in the same cabin as Cass & myself. Callum & I didn’t talk much on the coach as he was occupied talking to fellow Scots girl, Hannah Dumbleton. I quickly learned that Hannah really knew how to talk. Hannah & I had our ups & downs through camp and weren’t the best of friends but I know she has a heart of gold and thank her for being part of my experience. Same to Callum, we didn’t have much chance to talk as we both formed separate groups of friends but also thank him for being part of my experience.

The New York City skyline. What do I say when there is so much to say. Millions of people know it’s amazing because they have seen it, others think they know how amazing it is because they have seen it through media or read about it or heard the tales from friends & family. I’m fortunate enough to have seen it in its true form. It truly is amazing and awe inspiring.

Once in Manhattan I had every intention of filming what I was seeing with particular ambition to catch Times Square on Camera. Did I catch Times Square on camera? No. I was too mesmerised by the lights & atmosphere. I panned the camera downwards, unintentionally of course but, I apologise as it was just so nice to see. Only 1 month ago I said to myself, “I’ll be going there soon,” as I sat in the cinema watching Spidey fight Electro! The sights really were ELECTRO-fying…No? Bad joke? Okay, I apologise for that…

As the coach journey progressed out of the city and into the mountains, I found myself beginning to tire. I closed my eyes and slept for a few minutes before becoming scared of missing out on something. I put my earphones in, turned my music on and watched the landscape change from awesome buildings to lushes landscape.

It wasn’t long before all I could see were tall trees, water creeks and hillsides. I kept a beady eye for wildlife and with-in minutes I had seen a chipmunk, some deer and several long winged birds that I have neither the knowledge nor eye sight to tell what species they were.

Gradually the coach emptied as it stopped off at several towns along the way. Each stop filled me with more anticipation as it was one stop closer to Hunter. Soon enough, just like the flight, it was over. The driver announced, “Next stop, Hunter.” As the coach pulled in I could see a small gathering of people, jumping around, clasping their hands with obvious excitement. Along with them, a small Hispanic man with an uncanny resemblance to the other Nomad Lad, Vic. It didn’t take long before I realised it was in fact Vic. This time though, he seemed smaller than I remembered!

After being greeted by staff that had arrived earlier in the week, we made a short walk to the country store for a few refreshments then headed to camp; a two minute drive up a quiet & secluded road.

View of Hunter mountain

Once at camp the new arrivals & I were asked into the office for a short meet & greet with the assistant directors. We said hello and shook hands before being told of the “do’s” and “don’ts”. No alcohol on camp grounds, curfew at 12:45am and use only the main gates for entering & leaving camp. We were then told which cabins would be our homes for the next 11 weeks. Cabin 3/4 was my given destination so, there I walked with Callum & Cass.

That night a couple more coach’s arrived carrying what was to be the last of the staff members.

I greeted anyone & everyone as if they were close friends from back home. I didn’t know any of them but it didn’t matter. We were all in the same boat and I wanted to meet new people and make new friends; the main reason I came to camp so, I jumped straight in there.

I soon picked out a face I recognised in Liam Mcginlay; yet another Scotsman. Only this time from Falkirk. Liam and I first met in Manchester England back in April when we attended a Camp Leaders preparation day. I sat at the front, due to my poor eyesight as everyone else filled up from the back. It was like school all over again, “the cool guys/girls” at the back and me (somewhat less of a cool guy) at the front.

Liam was late to the orientation so he sat where he first saw an empty seat, which just so happened to be next to me. We sat for little over an hour before we broke the awkward silence. We exchanged names and talked about where we had come from before I asked him, “Have you been placed?, where’s your camp?” he replied “Yes. New York. Camp Loyaltown.” I laughed as I told him I had also been placed at Loyaltown. I was made up to meet a fellow Loyaltowner and he seemed equally so. We stuck by each other for the remainder of the day and then exchanged numbers before parting ways. Liam was the first person I met from camp and what a pleasure it was to have spent the summer working along side him. Although not directly, as we were in different cabins, we often stopped each other to ask how each other’s day was going. I have never met a happier more positive person than Liam, he has the ability to smile even when pushed to the physical and mental limits that his cabin demanded.

The first 11 days of camp was orientation and training. Consisting of team building exercises, bonding sessions and more team building exercises.

Team building

Unit 1 (My unit)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the most part it was fun and I learned a lot. I got to know people very well, very quickly and began to form friendships throughout camp. It was hard getting over the jet lag, adapting to the surroundings and getting used to little sleep but, remembering everyone was in it together really helped.

Soon it was the end of orientation.

We had one day off before the campers arrived so, nearly the entire camp planned to go out for the night in Hunter. Hunter had a mere two bars (A big change from Liverpool, the city I live near to). The Under 21’s went to Macgregor’s as they were allowed in providing they didn’t try to purchase alcohol. Over 21’s to Cosmic Charlie’s just up the road as they were much more strict. Mostly because of Frenchy the doorman (A 6″ something, stocky man with a big bushy beard and tattoos up and down each arm). Although Frenchy was a gentleman, he carried the reputation as a guy not to to f**k with, a reputation that he further cemented at a later date in summer when he removed an aggressive drunk from the bar with his little finger.

We had booked hotel rooms in advance so we had a place to crash. Everyone had fun and got drunk very fast, a mixture of over excitement, high altitude and tiredness were the culprits. It was a great and deserved day off.

Aaron & Vic

Kate, Me,George L & George G

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The next day we started early to finalise the preparations of ourselves and organise the camp grounds, ready for the arrival of first session campers.

I remember feeling increasingly nervous as the hours went by. I had grown used to camp life as it was; forgetting about the inbound responsibilities and duties of caring for the needs of the campers.

For some reason of which I’m not sure, I felt like I was a beginner, forgetting I had two years experience working with developmental disabilities with many more years living with and caring for two younger brothers who had Aspergers Syndrome (For those unsure what ‘AS’ is, it is… or was deemed to be a mild form of Autism on the spectrum).

The bell rang frantically to signify the arrival of the campers. Four coaches drove through the gates as we stood at our designated spots waiting for them to meet us.
Within seconds the place was manic as staff, campers and luggage pour off; It was organised chaos.

Everyone!

To be continued…(SG)